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Chloé came to visit me at the mansion when she received my urgent message. It felt like some kind of déjà vu to have to share my fears about Gérard and my pregnancy with her again.

"Julie, what's going on?" She looks at me with concern.

"Chloé, I'm pregnant," this time I get straight to the point, because this time the certainty is at 100%.

"Are you serious? How exciting!" She practically jumps with joy. "But why that expression? Don't tell me..."

"I'm happy, it's just that... I'm afraid because of what happened with my previous pregnancy. I don't want to get my hopes up, and..."

"I see where you're going, you're worried about Gérard too, aren't you?"

"Yes, I don't know how he'll take the news. I don't think it's a good time for this, not with everything we have going on."

Chloé tilts her head and smiles, her eyes shining with understanding.

"I understand everything you've been through, but you have to tell him, you're a couple, Julie," I try to smile, but it comes out more of a grimace. "I'm sure Gérard will be the happiest man in the world, but you need to talk to him."

"I'm not ready yet, I'll give it a couple more days," I say, biting my lip. "But I promise I'll tell Gérard everything."

"Tell me what?" I hear his voice, and I jump in surprise, and maybe also from fear. "Are you keeping things from me, Juliette?"

"I'll leave you two alone to talk," Chloé says with a smirk, while I look at her imploringly. "See you later, my dear friend."

She gives me a kiss on the cheek, and I look at the floor to avoid meeting Gérard's gaze. His gaze is probably one of anger and rightfully so; I've been caught red-handed.

"And then?" he raises an eyebrow. "I'm waiting, Juliette."

"I just found out recently," I say in a choked voice, then press my lips together. "The day of the meeting with Isabella, the smell of garlic bread made me feel sick. I even threw up."

I pause and look at Gérard; his expression is completely intimidating. He doesn't look happy at all, and he probably won't accept the fact that I'm pregnant or something.

"And you didn't tell me anything, that's why you went to the beach," he pinches the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes to regain control. "You're not feeling well and you're unable to tell me, Juliette. I thought..."

"Please, let me finish!" I ask him, extremely agitated, completely beside myself.

He seems somewhat surprised but nods his head.

"I went to the clinic to get an exam, a pregnancy one," I look at him with a grimace, and he raises both eyebrows. "It came out positive, Gérard."

His expression freezes, and I feel a lump in my throat, but it lessens as I begin to see the smile that Gérard starts to form.

"My love, is what you're saying true?" He cups my cheeks, looking at me intently.

"Yes, darling, I have the papers in my purse," I say with some difficulty, overcome with emotion.

"This is the best news you could have given me. I'm going to be a father again! I can't wait to share the news with Grandpa Simon."

"Are you happy?" I look at him fearfully.

"Happy? I'm over the moon with excitement! A baby born out of our love, can you imagine?"

His words comfort me, and I lean in to kiss him, because I'm dying to see Grandpa; I've missed him so much, and Gérard looks really happy with the news. And of course, I am too.

"Grandpa is going to be very happy," I affirm after we pull apart.

"Tell me how you've been feeling, is that why you had those chocolate cravings?"

"Yes," I laugh, and he joins me.

"As soon as possible, we'll see a doctor to get you under control," he says, kissing my forehead.

"My family doesn't know the news yet, I'm dying to tell them, although my mother..." I bite my lip, and he notices my concern.

"I hope a baby will soften her hatred towards me, anyway we're going to get married soon."

Gérard organized a romantic dinner to inform our families; the rose decorations matched my ring, it's beautiful.

Grandpa was very happy, as were Vincent and Sophie. My father hugged me, and his eyes welled up, my mom... Well, she was shocked and then tried to smile. It's obvious the news wasn't very pleasing to her.

She'll have to get used to it. Gérard is my life, my true love, and the father of my child. I couldn't ask for more.

The night went on, and soon he approached me, amidst the joy of our news shared by most. He wrapped his arms around my waist, giving me a passionate kiss that took my breath away.

"Now nothing can go wrong between us. I want to focus on you and our child, and I also hope to have custody of Vittoria very soon."

"I'm so happy with you, and I'm sure our children will get along."

"Our children," he repeats with a dreamy air. "You've made me very happy, Juliette. Having a child with you is what was missing to complete my happiness."

"Just a few matters left to resolve, and the gray days will be over," I said as if declaring a verdict, before kissing his lips again.



Days go by, and Gérard informs me that he has news for me about Alice, which makes me nervous because I had managed to find solid evidence of her kidnapping and how she had drugged him to take advantage of him.

It seems that Matteo himself had given them to him.

"Love, the good news is that Alice will go to jail for a long time, and her parents are accomplices. I will have full custody of my daughter."

I couldn't be happier, I throw myself into his arms, but I notice he's tense, so I look at him inquisitively.

"There's another piece of news, isn't there?"

"That's right, and it's that Alice escaped. They could only imprison her parents."

"And Vittoria?"

"She was with them. Luc is bringing her along with John. She'll be able to live with us."

"These are wonderful news, but Alice..."

"I'll do everything in my power to put that crazy woman behind bars. I won't let her keep hurting us."

Gérard comes closer to me and kisses my lips. I want to respond, but there's been something on my mind for a while.