I remained silent for a long time, but my brother on the other end of the line seemed to sense my emotions.
After a moment of hesitation, he spoke softly, “If you don’t want the child, I’ll arrange for you to have an abortion at the hospital.”
“I’ll come back to pick you up the day after tomorrow. Don’t worry, I will always be by your side no matter what.”
After the call ended, my gaze fell on the pregnancy diary on the small desk.
I didn't even open it; I just glanced at the cover, but my knees gave way. I even had to steady myself against the crib to stay upright, preventing myself from collapsing to the floor.
Just then, perhaps noticing the light in the nursery was on, Preston’s voice echoed in my ears. “Alissa? Why aren’t you asleep yet? What are you doing in the nursery so late at night?”
I bit my lower lip tightly, struggling to control the tremble in my voice. “The babies are moving around a lot in my belly, making me can’t sleep, so I came to see if there’s anything else we need to prepare.”
Preston walked over to me, gently wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and led me back to the bedroom.
“These little troublemakers. They’re not even out yet and already causing trouble for their mommy. Once they come out, I should discipline them immediately."
Preston’s gaze fell on my pregnant belly, his handsome eyes filled with tenderness, and his tone was brimming with affection.
If I hadn't heard what he said earlier in the study, I would have been completely convinced that he loved me, and therefore loved our children as well.
But now, I only felt utterly ridiculous.
He loved the children, not because of me, but because of Krystal.
Preston didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. He helped me to the bedside, and the tenderness in his eyes was just like every day of the past eight years.
I lowered my eyes, avoiding the tenderness in his gaze.
"I'm tired. Let's go to sleep, Preston."
The next morning, Preston accompanied me to the Ellison Group’s private hospital for a check-up.
As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, we saw Krystal just coming out of a doctor's office.
Upon seeing Krystal, Preston furrowed his brows slightly. "Why are you here alone? Are you feeling unwell?"
Preston's concern was evident in his tone.
Krystal smiled slightly, seeming to appreciate Preston's concern.
"I've been feeling palpitations lately. You know my heart hasn't been good since I was a child. Since I had some free time today, I thought I'd come to the hospital for a check-up."
“What about you, Preston? Did you bring Alissa for her prenatal checkup? Or is Alissa feeling unwell?”
I did not know if it was just my imagination, but I always felt like there was a hint of provocation in Krystal's gaze toward me.
I curved my lips slightly and spoke before Preston could, "Nothing serious. I've had a bit of trouble sleeping recently, and Preston was worried, so he insisted on coming with me to the hospital."
"I wonder who the baby takes after. It's been hanging around in my stomach all day. Maybe there's something wrong with the genes."
As soon as I finished speaking, the expressions of the two people beside me changed simultaneously.
Preston gently wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he changed the subject, “What nonsense are you talking about? This is our child. What could possibly be wrong with the genes?”
“Alright, the doctor has been waiting for a long time. Let’s go in first.”
While I was having the examination, Preston patted my head to comfort me before stepping out to wait for me.
In the past, I wouldn't have thought there was anything wrong with his actions. After all, he couldn't do much in the examination room.
But now, watching Preston leave, I couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.
After finishing the examination, I stepped outside and saw that there was indeed no one outside the clinic.
I walked around the corridor and finally found Krystal and Preston in the stairwell.
Krystal’s beautiful brows were slightly furrowed, her face brimming with dissatisfaction.
