Chapter 1866


    "Yulia!"


    "Yulia, honey."


    Elizabeth and Alyssa were startled by her sudden dash. With Alyssa''s mobility limited, Elizabeth


    quickly passed little Anya into Royce''s arms, who was sitting nearby.


    Elizabeth got up and hurried around the couch to check on Yulia, only to see a figure sh past her.


    Nathan was already hot on Yulia''s heels. Elizabeth paused, then followed suit.b2


    Alyssa watched anxiously toward the bathroom, "What in the world happened all of a sudden?"


    Chloe furrowed her brow slightly, reying the day’s events since she had seen Yulia. Her gaze


    finally settled on the fruit bowl. She picked up a slice of mango and popped it into her mouth.


    Mangoes can be quite the divisive fruit. Some adore them, while others can hardly stomach the


    vor. But since Yulia had chosen to eat one, it meant she wasn''t averse to mangoes. Yet, the


    reaction it provoked was suspicious.


    The sweetness of the mango clung to her taste buds, exceptionally fragrant. As she swallowed,


    Chloe turned to look at Damon, whose brow was deeply furrowed, his face clouded with a


    particrly nasty scowl.


    Raising an eyebrow, a childish and ludicrous thought shed through her mind. He couldn’t possibly


    be bothered by this, could he? Considering how he had gloated over Nathan earlier, it wouldn’t be


    surprising if his pettypetitive streak was ring up again.


    With each person lost in their thoughts, Royce, suddenly left holding the child, sat back on the


    couch, cradling Anya in one arm, his gaze emotionless as he examined her. Upon closer inspection,


    one could see a mix of surprise and scrutiny in his eyes.


    Anya hadn’t spent much time around him, and now sat quietly on hisp, looking up with wide,


    innocent eyes that shimmered as she stared at Royce.


    Royce''s impassivity and aloofness didn''t scare her. After a long stare-off, Anya’s mouth suddenly


    split into a grin, revealing rows of tiny, bright teeth.


    She propped herself against Royce''s belly, climbed up, and nted a kiss on his cheek. "Grandpa


    is so handsome."


    Caught off guard, a range of emotions flickered across Royce''s usually stoic face.


    Grandpa?


    His brow twitched. Although factual, why did he feel as if the title aged him by decades?


    This little one truly was charming though, her ability to endear herself seemingly boundless.


    She wasn’t like her father, who was either asking for a smack or a scolding every other day.


    Grandpa it was, then. That day woulde eventually.


    With a slight tug at the corner of his mouth, Royce watched as Anya, after kissing him, settled down


    cross-legged on hisp, facing him with a broad smile. He stretched out a hand, indulgingly


    pinching her rosy cheek. "If you don''t want to smile, then don''t."


    Anya''s smile drooped slightly, her face the very picture of a well-behaved, pitiable child. "Handsome


    Grandpa. Is Yulipop okay?"


    Royce chuckled softly, "She''s fine."


    Anya blinked, "Really?"


    "Mhm."


    Anya trusted Roycepletely and beamed in relief. She gazed at Royce for a few seconds before


    eximing happily, "Daddy, Uncle, and Grandpa, all so handsome."


    In his lifetime, Royce had only two sons and had never encountered such sweet ttery from a little


    girl. Her few words had the power to bewilder even the usuallyposed Royce.


    Handsome Grandpa, sessfully charmed.


    Chloe looked at Anya with a mixture of love and urgency. She truly wished for a sweet, warm, and


    cuddly daughter of her own, just like Anya.


    --


    Yulia spent a while in the bathroom, getting rid of the little she had eaten for dinner.


    Nathan came after her, supporting her back with his hands knotted in concern. He felt her neck for


    any sign of fever but found none.


    "What''s wrong? Are you feeling unwell anywhere specific?"


    Yulia leaned against the wall, feeling weak after vomiting. She covered her mouth and slowly stood


    up. "Please, step out." She didn''t want Nathan to be offended by the smell.


    But Nathan didn''t heed her request. Seeing that she wasn''t going to be sick again, he helped her


    over to the sink and turned on the tap.


    Yulia bent over to rinse her mouth with water. Nathan kept soothing her, watching her every move,


    his brow furrowed, his expression grave.


    Elizabeth asked with concern, "You looked off during dinner too, and you barely ate. Is it that the


    food didn''t agree with you? Or is there something you can''t eat?"


    Yulia shook her head, "No, I''m not picky and I don''t have any food aversions. Maybe I just got car


    sick on the way here."


    Elizabeth nodded, "Car sickness can be awful. Why don''t you go upstairs and rest a bit? I''ll have the


    kitchen keep some broth warm for you. You can have it whenever you feel up to eating."


    Elizabeth''s care and attention touched Yulia deeply. "Thank you."


    Elizabeth sighed softly, "What''s there to thank me for? I''ve spent my life raising two sons who give


    me nothing but worry. I''m just hoping they''ll make something of themselves and bring home a


    couple of daughters-inw. Having finally gained two daughters, it''s only natural for me to care and


    dote on them, isn''t it?"


    Elizabeth''s words made it awkward for Yulia to keep thanking her.


    As they left the bathroom, a servant had already prepared some warm water. Elizabeth handed


    Yulia the cup and said gently, "Drink this and then head upstairs to rest."


    "I''ll take her to the hospital to have her checked out." Nathan''s voice was unusually solemn and


    firm, leaving no room for argument.


    Yulia turned to look at him, "I''m fine."


    Alyssa, with her sharp eyes, considered the situation and nodded, "Nathan''s right. It''s best to have


    a checkup at the hospital."


    "But Yulia just got car sick, didn''t she? The back and forth could be more trouble. Why don''t we


    have Jane take a look first? She lives right next door." Chloe spoke in a subdued tone, a trace of an


    elusive smile ying across her lips, leaving the others somewhat baffled.


    Alyssa nced at her, nodding in understanding, "Oh, that reminds me, Ipletely forgot about


    Dr. Jane. Quick, someone fetch Dr. Jane to check on Yulia."


    A servant nearby responded promptly and dashed off.


    Nathan, this time, stayed silent, wrapping an arm around Yulia as they settled onto the couch. His


    expression and aura were such a stark contrast to his usual pushover demeanor that no one would


    have guessed his true nature.


    Chloe arched an eyebrow, shifting her position to lean against Damon.


    "No wonder Yulia always acts so demure around Nathan. It seems your little brother has quite the


    commanding presence behind closed doors, huh?"


    Damon''splexion remained on the sour side. Hearing her words, he shot her a nce, but his


    mood didn''t seem to lift.


    Chloe, exasperated yet amused, nestled closer in his arms and teased in a low voice, "Looks like


    Yulia''s got her three sons all mapped out."


    Damon''s lips tightened into a straight line.


    Suppressing herughter, Chloe continued, "I bet Nathan''s going to tire of being called ''Dad''."


    Damon frowned and turned to give her a frosty look. "Even if she has three sons, they might not all


    be his. And it''s not even certain yet."


    "You and your negative thoughts; he''s your own brother. Can''t you hope for the best? Deep down,


    you don''t really think that way, do you? Justforting yourself with denial?"


    "Keep it up, and we might as well go up to bed," Damon said gravely.


    Chloe chuckled softly, "If it bothers you that much, we could always have a few more ourselves.


    They have four, we could go for five, maybe?"


    Damon narrowed his eyes, looking at her, "At least four hundred times?"


    Chloe blinked, confused, "What?"


    "Based on the lowest probability of conception, to have the remaining four kids, wouldn''t we need to


    have sex for at least four hundred times?"


    Despite knowing his asional crude humor, she was still taken aback by his words, wishing she


    could just disappear.


    "Four hundred times, are you nning an early demise? Besides, why calcte using the lowest


    probability? We didn''t need that for the first two."


    Damon nced at her round belly, expressionless, and said coldly, "The twins were an ident."


    Chloe was bbergasted.


    Damon: "I never considered children. If I had, I would have made sure you didn''t get pregnant so


    easily."


    Chloe frowned at him, "Since it was an ident, maybe they shouldn''t call you Dad. You seem to


    dislike the hassle."


    Sensing her clear displeasure, Damon''s lips pursed slightly, and he felt a twinge of concern.


    He was screwed. He''d made his wife angry.


    He shifted slightly closer to Chloe and cleared his throat, whispering, "I do like these two idents."


    Chloe forced a smile, "If you like them, what''s wrong with having more?"


    Damon pinched her slightly swollen leg, "It''s too hard on you."


    Her anger deted in an instant. She turned to look at him, her eyes betraying her touched feelings.


    Damon leaned in to touch his forehead to hers, "Let''s talk about more kidster, okay? Let''s focus


    on bringing these two into the world and getting you back to health."


    Their tender exchange in the midst of everyone''s teeth-gritting annoyance was something to behold.


    Yulia was still feeling unwell, and their tant disy of affection was infuriating to the others.


    Dr. Jane arrived shortly after.


    Yulia was surrounded by the family, holding a cup of water, herplexion still pale.


    Jane nced at her, then looked at Chloe, who was being clung to by Damon, and rolled her eyes


    before approaching Yulia.


    The servant had briefed her on the way, so Jane squatted down, Yulia giving her a faint, forced


    smile in return.


    Jane pursed her lips, "Give me your hand."


    Yulia handed it over.


    Jane checked her pulse, casually asking, "How long have you been feeling like this?"


    "Just now."


    "About a week."


    The first response was Elizabeth, cut off mid-sentence.


    The second was Nathan''s voice.


    Elizabeth paused, "What?"


    Nathan continued, "She''s not been eating well these past few days, but this is the first time she''s


    thrown up."


    Elizabeth and Alyssa blinked, looking at Nathan, then at each other. When did this kid be so


    attentive? Even noticing someone else''s appetite?


    Impressive!


    They turned back as Elizabeth smacked Nathan on the head. "You knew and said nothing?"


    At that moment, a barely noticable smile appeared on Jane''s mouth as she stood up.


    Alyssa and Elizabeth watched her eagerly, a mix of anxiety and expectation in their voices, "Dr.


    Jane, what''s the verdict?"


    Jane raised an eyebrow, "She''s fine. Just make sure she''s well taken care of. In eight months, you''ll


    be holding a chubby little grandchild."


    The room fell silent for a beat.


    Yulia''s head shot up, "You mean... I''m..."


    "Yes, congrattions, you''re pregnant."


    "Oh my gosh!"


    "Good heavens!"


    Elizabeth and Granny sped hands, nearly jumping for joy and spinning around in excitement.


    Royce, who was holding Anya, looked up with a rare show of interest.


    Nathan, after a moment of stunned silence, looked at Yulia and nted a firm kiss on her face,


    laughing heartily as he stood up and fixed his gaze on Damon from across the room.


    Chloe lifted an eyebrow and turned her head away.


    Here we go. That goofball was at it again.


    Damon''s face darkened in an instant, as he realized that the fool was about to kick up a fuss again.


    "Come on, bro, I''ve got a little one on the way that''s been calling me ''daddy'' from the womb—


    hahaha. Isn''t my wife just amazing? She''s always making me so proud.


    "But hey, congrats to you too, man. You''ve got another nephew on the way. And, my two big


    nephews are about to be a big brother and sister."


    Chloe facepalmed, that guy, can''t he just chill out for once? What was there to be so excited about


    this, anyway?


    Can''t he just be happy about having a child?! Wasn''t having another child awesome enough?


    Seriously, who else would turn such a happy asion into a reason for everyone to want to punch


    him?


    He was truly a character, turning a celebration into something that made people want to hit him.


    Everyone''s thoughts were pretty much aligned with Chloe''s. Just as they were basking in the joy of


    weing another child, Nathan had to ruin the moment, making them all want to give him a good


    smack.


    Yulia, unable to take it anymore, tugged at his shirt, "Nathan, please. Don''t be like this."


    Nathan, in his unique bubble of joy, barely registered Yulia''s plea. Elizabeth, on the other hand,


    couldn''t stand it and punched him on the back. The punchnded with a solid "thud".


    Nathan turned around, coughing, only to find Elizabeth ring at him, "Is there anyone in the world


    more annoying than you? You actually have the talent to suppress people''s happiness and make


    them want to punch you instead."


    She punctuated her words with two more punches on his shoulder. "Yulia... being pregnant... isn''t


    something... for you to brag about... andpete over!"


    With every pause, Elizabeth''s fistnded on Nathan, emphasizing her frustration.


    Nathan winced in pain, dodging and weaving in aical fashion.


    Yulia couldn''t help but feel amused. At such a moment, he still had the mood to think of other things.


    Little Anya, who had been watching with wide eyes, looked up at Royce.


    "Handsome grandpa. Does Yulipop being pregnant mean she''s got a baby too?"


    Royce softly stroked Anya''s rosy cheek, his voice gentle, "Yes, Anya, you''re going to have a little


    brother or sister soon."


    Anya''s eyes sparkled with happiness. She sped her little hands together, "Wow, Yulipop has a


    baby. I''m going to be a sister."


    Anya was so adorably excited that Royce couldn''t help but smile and nod in agreement, "Yes,


    congrattions, Anya."


    Anya pped her hands joyfully, but soon her little brow furrowed in thought.


    "So, I''m going to have lots of brothers and sisters, huh? From Aunt''s twins and now Yulipop."


    She paused, then suddenly turned to Yulia, "How many babies does Yulipop have?"


    Her question brought a halt to the conversation, as all the adults turned to look at Jane.


    Damon was no exception. If it turned out to be twins or even triplets, would that fool Nathan not be


    over the moon?


    Jane sighed, rubbing her forehead, "We should probably get a proper check-up at the hospital for


    that."


    There was a hint of disappointment, but Alyssa nodded in agreement, "Right. No matter what, a


    thorough check-up at the hospital is necessary. Yulia, are you feeling any better? Anything you


    crave, just let us know."


    Yulia took a sip of water, shaking her head slightly, "I don''t really have an appetite right now."


    Elizabeth quickly added, "The kitchen''s stocked up and ready anytime. Whenever you''re hungry,


    just have Nathan whip something up for you. Same goes for you, Chloe, make sure you''re all set."


    Chloe smiled, "Will do."


    Elizabeth rubbed her hands together in anticipation, "Oh, I''m going to be busy, busy, busy—hahaha!


    My daughters-inw getting pregnant one after the other, I''ll be swamped with grandbabies."


    She had been longing for decades for her sons to bring home daughters-inw and give her chubby


    grandchildren to dote on. Her wish was finallying true, one after the other.


    Alyssa was beaming with joy. "Me, too. My great-grandsons. I now have four generations under one


    roof. I feel so lucky."


    The living room was filled with happiness andughter, except for Damon, who sat with a cold


    expression, clearly out of ce.


    Chloe, too, was delighted by the news but noticed Damon''s mood and nudged him with her elbow,


    "I want some green grapes."


    Damon instinctively stood up, picked a grape, and brought it to Chloe''s lips. She epted it with her


    mouth.


    Damon''s expression remained stern, but the fruit kepting, one after another.


    --


    The next morning, Elizabeth whisked Yulia and Nathan off to the hospital.


    As they stepped outside, a car was already waiting for them. Nate stood by the car door, greeting


    them as they approached.


    Nathan, hands in his pockets, nced at the car blocking the entrance and raised an eyebrow,


    "This early? Where''s my brother off to?"


    Nate chuckled, "Mr. Damon asked me to take you guys to the hospital."


    Nathan snorted, "No need for the fuss, I''ve got my own ride, and my driving skills are pretty


    decent…"


    Nate interjected, "He is very concerned about his nephew''s health. He insisted that I apany


    you throughout the visit, and he''s already made arrangements with the hospital in advance."


    Nathan rolled his eyes. Was it just to find out how many babies Yulia was carrying at the very first


    moment possible? Why went through all this trouble for such meticulous arrangements?


    Nathan held his tongue, and they all got into Nate''s car.


    They reached the hospital without any issues, and true to his word, Nate was with them every step


    of the way. If it weren''t for the fact of privacy, he probably would have followed them into the


    ultrasound room.


    When the check-ups were done and they emerged, Nate was right there waiting. "Well? How


    many? Twins? Triplets?"


    Nathan clenched his teeth. Could his brother''s motives be any more obvious?


    Elizabeth''sughter was light and carefree as she said, "Just one, one is good. It won''t be as tough


    as Chloe''s situation."


    Nate didn''t hear a word she said after that. Once he got the answer he wanted, he stepped aside


    and made a phone call.


    Nathan was annoyed. What was the big deal of having twins? His little princess was already a head


    taller than those two in the womb. They were destined to call his daughter ''big sister''.


    Nate wrapped up his call quickly.


    Nathan snorted and drew Yulia close. "One''s perfect. Mom''s right, less trouble that way."


    Yulia gave a half-smile. She hadn''t thought that far ahead.


    --


    Once the results were confirmed, Damon''s brooding expression lifted like mist in the morning sun.


    Chloe felt heavy, barely finding rest in her sleep and woke up early.


    Damon stood by the window on a call, his voice low, but Chloe could make out the gist of it.


    He actually arranged all that just to get the result.


    Seeing Chloe awake, Damon''s lips quirked up. "You''re up."


    Chloe shifted, and Damon helped her sit up in bed.


    Propped against the headboard, she asked, "Is it confirmed?"


    Damon pressed his lips together. "The Harper legacy is something to keep an eye on."


    Chloe''s lips twitched at his grandiose reasoning.


    "Stay in bed, I''ll go make breakfast."


    "Mhm."


    Once Damon left, Chloe scanned thetest news on her phone. Checking the time, she finally


    called Rose.


    When Rose found out about Yulia''s pregnancy, she was over the moon. "Is pregnancy contagious


    or something? They keeping one after the other."


    Chloe chuckled, "Nathan''s ecstatic. He''s been strutting like a peacock in front of his brother. Oh,


    andst night he confirmed Anya is his daughter."


    Rose paused before bursting intoughter. "That guy sure isn''t quick on the uptake, is he? To only


    realize under his own nose?"


    "Last night he came over, suspecting Anya was Damon''s, then imed she was a love child of his


    father."


    Chloe ryed every detail ofst night''s drama to Rose, unable to suppress herughter.


    Rose''sughter was incessant. "Could he be any more hrious?"


    Chloe took a deep breath, her smile fading, "Maybe he''s just scared. Maybe he is afraid to hope too


    much."


    Rose nodded, "True. Suddenly having a daughter out of the blue. Oh gosh, Chloe, I''m getting


    nervous. My due date is in two days. I''m both excited and scared."


    Chloe''s expression tightened. "Morrison will be there for you, right?"


    Rose nodded, "He said he''d be with me in the delivery room, but it''s not him giving birth!!"


    Already in the hospital, she grew more sensitive as the due date approached.


    Her spontaneous exmation made Morrison freeze as he entered the room. Approaching her, he


    said, "If I could, I''d take your ce in a heartbeat."


    Rose gave him a wistful look. "Easy for you to say when it''s impossible. Men and their sweet


    nothings. mmm."


    Morrison leaned in, his kiss brazen and unashamed.


    Chloe hung up the call in a hurry, caught off guard. They kissed passionately, their embrace clear


    and unfiltered, stirring her pulse.


    Looking up, Damon stood in the doorway with a tray, his expression unreadable. Whether from guilt


    or his reaction, she flung her phone aside and swung out of bed.


    "I''m so hungry."


    Damon ced the breakfast on a side table, slipped her feet into slippers, and nced at her with a


    cool detachment.


    "What did you see just now?"


    Chloe forced a smile, "I was just chatting with Rose. She''s nervous about her due date in two days."


    "So Morrison wants to give birth for her?"


    The statement was meaningless, but Chloe felt a shiver run through her. He had heard everything.


    "I''m totally innocent in this."


    Chloe said, her expression the picture of pitiful innocence, especially those eyes when she stared at


    Damon.


    Damon lowered his head, staring at the delicate foot in his hand, its toes moving restlessly. His brow


    twitched, as he pressed down the restless toes and put thest slipper on her, leading her into the


    bathroom. A new note was secretly added to the tally regarding Morrison.


    "Speaking of which, my expected delivery date is not much different from Rose''s..."


    Chloe might be even slightly more apprehensive than Rose. With two babies, she was afraid of


    incidents.


    A lot of bad thoughts were suppressed in her heart, all too frightening for her to think about.


    Damon bent down, wiping her hands with a towel. "I''ll arrange for the best doctors."


    Chloe''s smile was soft, "I''m not scared. Just worried. I hope the babies are healthy."


    "They will be."


    Damon, a man of few words, led her out of the bathroom, settled her down, and joined her for


    breakfast.


    After breakfast, Chloe went downstairs where Alyssa and Anya were. Damon stayed with her briefly


    before heading upstairs.


    Alyssa nced at Damon''s retreating figure, then whispered to Chloe, "What''s with Damon? He


    seems distracted this morning."


    Chloe had noticed his off behavior too, but she didn’t know why. Nothing seemed amiss that


    morning to justify his preupation.


    Yulia was healthy with her pregnancy, and witnessing Morrison and Rose''s intimate moment


    couldn''t have affected him that much.


    She pondered, then, as if something clicked, she looked upstairs, a flicker in her eyes.


    Alyssa, meanwhile, had been ncing at Anya, missing the subtleties of Chloe''s reactions. "What''s


    wrong?"


    Chloe smiled and shook her head: "Nothing."


    It wasn''t long before Elizabeth returned with Yulia, barely able to contain her joy.


    Chloe eyed Yulia and couldn''t help but smile. "Congrattions," she said with a warm grin.


    Yulia smiled back, a shy and sweet expression on her face. She was clearly over the moon.


    Elizabeth, beaming, turned to Chloe. "You know, Chloe, with Yulia just finding out she''s pregnant


    and your own due date right around the corner, I''m worried about both of you. What do you say we


    have Yulia stay here for a bit? Unless, of course, you''d rather move over to my ce."


    Yulia quickly interjected, "Really, there''s no need, I can take care of myself."


    Chloe waved her hand dismissively. "Why would I mind? It''s settled then, Yulia, you''re staying.


    Besides, it''s important to be taken care of during the early stages of pregnancy. It''ll give the whole


    family peace of mind. Pregnancy is no small matter, you know."


    Elizabeth nodded in agreement, chuckling. "Listen to you, acting as if you were such an angel when


    you were pregnant."


    Chloe was momentarily at a loss for words, but a shared look with Yulia and a mutualugh broke


    the silence. It was true that they had both been a handful during their pregnancies.


    "Alright, you two settle in. I''ll go and sort things out in the kitchen."


    Yulia reached out and gently grabbed Elizabeth''s hand, her voice soft and low. "Thanks for all the


    trouble."


    Elizabeth patted her hand. "What are you talking about? You had to marry Nathan, and now you''re


    carrying his child. It''s the least I can do. And you need to stop being so formal. We''re family."


    Yulia''s lips curled into a gentle smile, and she nodded. "I''ll work on that."


    Satisfied, Elizabeth patted her hand again and headed to the kitchen. "My daughters-inw, how did


    I get so lucky to have such darlings. It''s like I saved the world in my past life or something." she


    mused to herself.


    After chatting in the living room for a while, and discussing the menu for a nutritional meal n for


    pregnant women, Chloe stood up. "I''ll go check on things. Damon had hired a nutritionist who was


    quite good. I''ll ask him toe back."


    Before Yulia could object, Alyssa agreed.


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    Chloe ascended the stairs slowly, hand on her back, making her way to the study. The floor was


    carpeted, a change Damon had made specifically when her belly started to show, and any sharp


    corners had been cushioned.


    She approached the study door but paused, not entering immediately. Instead, she stood quietly,


    her head lowered.


    The study was soundproof, but the second floor was so quiet that Chloe could faintly hear Damon''s


    muffled voice inside.


    "Mmh. If you''re not sure who to invite, then invite them all. No, no trouble. Have theme over."


    "Make sure everything is clear. I''ll have someone prepare. Pay attention to the details and send me


    a list."


    "Do we have ess to a top-notch psychologist in that field. Find the best."


    After listening for a while, Chloe didn''t hear anything that would give away what Damon was


    nning. She finally opened the door.


    Damon was there, leaning on his desk, and he turned to look at her. In his hand, he held an unlit


    cigarette.


    His pause upon seeing her was brief. He tossed the cigarette into the trash and came over to


    support her. "Did youe up by yourself?"


    Chloe nodded, half-joking, "Just popped in to see if you were up to any mischief behind my back."


    She was exining why she hadn''t knocked.


    Damon chuckled softly. "There''s no need for secrecy. If I want to do something, I do it right in front


    of you. You might even be able to lend a hand if necessary."


    Chloe blushed at the innuendo. These days, it seemed their conversations often veered into adult


    territory much quicker than before.


    Changing the subject, she nced at the trash can. "What were you busy with just now?"


    Damon helped her to a chair. "Just some odds and ends from the office."


    Remembering what she had overheard, Chloe didn''t pursue the matter further.


    "Yulia''s back, and Elizabeth''s got her hands full taking care of both of us. It''s not practical, so I told


    her to stay here."


    At that, Damon''s expression shifted ever so slightly, but he quickly nodded. "If you''re okay with it,


    then she should stay. We''ll head to the hospital in a couple of days."


    Chloe frowned. "But I still have over twenty days to go. Isn''t that too early to check in?"


    "Do you trust due datespletely?"


    Chloe pursed her lips. "Not entirely."


    "So..."


    "Fine, okay." Chloe agreed, albeit reluctantly. "The nutritionist you hired before, Yulia might need


    them. You should get them back."


    "Okay, I will."


    "Were you really just dealing with office stuff?"


    Damon looked down at her. "What do you want to ask?"


    Chloe shook her head. "Nothing, it''s just that I''m feeling a bit bored. I kind of miss the taste of work."


    Damon raised an eyebrow. "You, in your condition, want topete with Yulia in childbirth?"


    Chloe pouted. "I''m hungry."


    It was nearly noon.


    "Wait here, I''ll check on lunch."


    "Alright."


    Damon left, and Chloe stood, gazing at the clock on the desk. Ten minutes to twelve.


    His phone was on the desk. Curiosity nagged at her, but she didn''t touch it. She didn''t suspect


    Damon of betrayal. She just wanted to know if what he was doing matched her expectations.


    She recalled the unlit cigarette he had been holding when she entered. She sighed softly.


    He rarely smoked, only when distressed to the extreme. She knew if it weren''t for her pregnancy,


    that cigarette would have been lit.


    How could she doubt his feelings for her when he was so considerate?


    Six minutes to twelve. Suddenly, the fax machine beside her rang.