As Cynthia watched the hospital room door swing open and shut, a cold expression settled on her face.


    She had always disdained this kind of feminine rivalry, but Karina''s constant provocations had forced her hand. If Cynthia didn''t fight back, the Whites would start to think she was aplete pushover.


    Noah stepped out of the room to answer the call. On the other end, he was met with Karina''s insistent voice and Nic''s crying.


    Karina: "Nic is going to bete for school! When are youing to get us?"


    Noah: "Something came up today, and I can''t get away. You can take Nic to school, or if you don''t want to go, just call her in sick."


    "You promised Nic yesterday! How could something just e up''? It''s that woman, Cynthia, isn''t it? She won''t let youe to the family day with Nic! You''re Nic''s father! What right does she have to stop you from being with your daughter?"


    Karina''s voice on the phone was emotional and verging on hysterical.


    Compared to Cynthia''s frail and gentle demeanor, Karina was undeniably grating.


    Not wanting to exchange another word with her, Noah ended the call and returned to the room.


    Cynthia remained in the hospital for a week. Noah went to the office during the day and returned promptly to the hospital after work to stay with her.


    The news that Cynthia had been admitted to monitor the pregnancy even reached Dana.


    Dana had the family cook prepare nourishing soups and remedies and personally brought them to the hospital to visit her daughter-inw.


    Dana had always been a good mother-inw. She had been tolerant of Karina, who was a handful, so she was even more fond of Cynthia, who was sensible and considerate.


    "Cynthia, please don''t think I''m nagging. A previous miscarriage can increase the risk of it happening again. You must be exceptionally careful with this pregnancy."


    "I know, Mom," Cynthia replied obediently, knowing her mother-inw meant well.


    After fussing over Cynthia a little more, Dana turned to her son. "Pregnancy is hard on Cynthia. As her husband, you must take good care of her. If anything happens to her or the baby, your father and wilk never forgive you."


    "Don''t worry, I''ll take good care of Cynthia and the baby," Noah said, putting his arm around Cynthia''s shoulder.


    Dana waited until Cynthia had finished the soup before leaving.


    Noah walked Dana out of the room. As they stood waiting for the elevator, Dana continued to lecture him worriedly.


    "Cynthia is in her first trimester,


    veln


    when the fetus is most unstable. Besides her physical health, a pregnant woman''s emotional well-being is crucial. Herst miscarriage was caused by O depression, wasn''t it?"


    "I understand, Mom. I''ll take care of her and the baby," Noah said.


    He and Cynthia had already lost one child; they had to be extra careful with this one.


    "You''re such a soft touch, how can I


    not worry? While Cynthia is


    pregnant, you need to stay out of the White family''s affairs. Nic is enough, and Karina is her


    mother-it''s not like shelved


    anything happen to her. The most important person right now is Cynthia. Pregnant women are prone to overthinking things, so don''t you dare add to her stress."


    Dana continued her admonishment.


    Noah knew his mother was right and nodded in agreement.


    After being discharged, Cynthia stayed home to rest and did not return to work.