Chapter 335
"This is..."
After a long moment, Willow finally found her voice again, though she remained confused.
Where did this come from?
She didn't remember buying anything like this, much less carrying it around with her!
An image of Molly's weird behavior today flashed through her mind.
Willow hurried out of the kitchen and over to Sterling's side, trying to snatch the items from his hands and hide them.
"That's not what I got you. Molly must have secretly bought these and hidden them..."
Getting closer and seeing clearly what Sterling was holding, Willow's entire face flushed red.
Just as her hand was about to reach the fabric, Sterling suddenly pulled his hand back.
Willow grasped at the air. She stood in front of Sterling like an overripe apple, watching in mortification as he examined the items in his hand.
"Molly?" Sterling's tone was unreadable. "She bought you something this intimate?"
Willow cautiously reached out again, trying to catch him off guard and grab them. "We went shopping together this morning - she must have bought them then."
She thought she was being careful enough, but Sterling still noticed her movement.
This time, he didn't dodge.
Willow thought she'd explained herself, and he wasn't going to make a big deal of it. She felt relieved.
The next second, Sterling grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him.
Willow lost her balance and tumbled into his lap.
She was only wearing the thin shirt. As she sat down, the hem rode up, barely covering her bottom. Her bare thighs pressed against Sterling's smooth dress pants. The hardness that had been at her waist was now directly beneath her.
Willow had been about to struggle, but sensing the situation, she froze, not daring to move.
"You said the birthday present was in your bag and told me to get it myself," Sterling said, also not daring to move, afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself.
Willow guiltily avoided his gaze. "Yes, but not that. Let me go, and I'll get it for you..."
She turned her head and spotted the neatly folded paper on the floor not far away.
Following her gaze, Sterling instead saw those long, straight legs of hers - so luminous they seemed to glow, making his head spin.
The woman he loved wearing his clothes, sitting in his lap - it was a temptation no one could resist.
Sterling had no intention of playing the gentleman.
His arousal throbbed painfully.
But considering the baby in Willow's belly, he couldn't do anything for now.
Plus, he wanted to know what gift Willow had actually prepared for him.
Sterling took a deep breath and slowly released Willow from his embrace.
Willow hadn't expected him to be so reasonable. When the restraint at her waist loosened, she paused, then couldn't help turning to glance at Sterling.
Sterling gripped the two scraps of fabric tightly, then released them and set them aside. "Weren't you going to get my birthday present?"
"Oh," Willow responded, then slowly got up from his lap.
She realized she really did like Sterling's body. Though she was nervous, after sitting there for a bit, she felt reluctant to leave.
If Sterling had insisted one more time, she probably would have given in.
But the mood was clearly set, and Sterling had backed down instead.
She couldn't exactly take the initiative herself, could she?
Muttering internally, Willow actually forgot to be nervous about confessing the pregnancy. She picked up the test results from the floor.
With her back to Sterling, thinking about other things, she didn't notice Sterling's burning gaze as she bent over.
By the time she picked up the paper and turned around, Sterling had already adjusted his expression, looking every bit the gentleman again.
Seeing the size of the paper in Willow's hand, Sterling had a vague idea of what it might be, but played dumb.
When he spoke, his voice trembled almost imperceptibly. "What's this?"
He feigned confusion as he took the paper from Willow's hand and unfolded it on his knee.
As the pregnancy test results came into view, Willow's voice sounded by his ear.
"I'm pregnant. A little over two months." Belatedly feeling nervous, she added, "It must have been from that night. I'm sorry I didn't tell you until now."
Sterling kept his head down, staring at the report without reacting.
Willow's heart sank slightly.
"In these two months, you're the only person I've slept with." She stared intently at Sterling, unwilling to believe he'd doubt her. "No - you're the only person I've ever slept with."
She'd imagined every possible reaction Sterling might have after learning this.
Angry that she'd waited so long to tell him, or happy they were having a child, or worried about her health...
But she'd never once imagined Sterling wouldn't believe her.
Yet his current silence...
Willow's heart had nearly sunk to rock bottom.
She didn't see that the corner of the test results had already been crumpled in Sterling's grip.
Hearing Willow tell him in person was even more thrilling than when he'd seen the pregnancy report at the hospital.
Sterling read word by word, confirming Willow's current physical condition and the baby's status.
Whatever Willow said after that, he didn't hear.
After reading every single word, Sterling felt relieved. He looked up at Willow. "You..."
He wanted to ask what she'd just said.
But the moment he spoke, he saw Willow's eyes reddening, looking like she was about to cry.
Sterling's heart clenched. He set the report aside, stood up, and pulled her into his arms with concern. "What's wrong? I was too excited just now and didn't hear what you said. Are you angry?"
Thinking of the baby in Willow's belly, he nervously gripped her shoulders, looking her up and down. "Or are you not feeling well somewhere? You were fine just now. Is the baby bothering you?"
As he spoke, Sterling scooped her up and laid her on the bedroom bed. "Lie down first. I'll call a doctor."
Sterling got up to get his phone, but worried about leaving Willow alone, his steps wavered uncertainly.
He'd just made up his mind to go when Willow grabbed his sleeve from behind.
Sterling paused and turned back to reassure her. "I'm just getting my phone. I'll be right back..."
"I'm fine." Willow kept her head down in embarrassment, not daring to look at him or tell him what she'd been thinking.
Sterling frowned and sat down beside her. "Then why are you crying?"
"I just... got too emotional." She forced the words out.
Sterling looked at her skeptically, seeming like he wanted to ask more.
Willow naturally wouldn't let him continue questioning.
Otherwise, she'd really ruin what should be a perfectly good birthday.
Before Sterling could speak, Willow steeled herself, grabbed his collar, and leaned up to kiss his lips.
Sterling's words were completely blocked. After only a moment's hesitation, he responded intensely.