Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Gabriel's mouth twitched. After a long pause, he finally spoke slowly. "Ember, explain to me clearly—where did I get a roommate from?"

"Why pretend? It's perfectly normal for you and Azure to be living together now." I looked at Gabriel with a smile, my expression completely unmoved.

"Ember, are you insane?"

Gabriel's face darkened. "I admit I helped Azure with studying abroad, but does that automatically mean we have to live together?"

I shrugged with a smile. "That's your business. We're already divorced anyway."

I figured Gabriel was about to explode from anger.

I turned around, got in my car, and slowly drove off to avoid any more drama.

"You're back?"

By the time I got home, Ceria had already cleaned up the kitchen.

I happily dug into the takeout with Ceria.

After dinner, Ceria and I chatted for a while before heading to bed.

Right before falling asleep, I got a WhatsApp message from Nason.

"I just heard you went abroad?"

Nason's voice message sounded complicated.

"You didn't tell me because you don't trust me?"

A second voice message came through, tinged with disappointment.

"I just don't like goodbye scenes." I called him directly, explaining seriously.

"Ember, you did that on purpose."

Nason's voice went up several notches on the other end. He sounded pretty pissed.

"It's just going abroad. I'm not gone forever. No need to get so worked up."

I tried to comfort Nason with a laugh.

I felt like the real source of Nason's anger wasn't actually me.

I suddenly remembered something important—Azure and Gabriel living together.

Did Nason already know? Was that why he was so angry?

Thinking this, I hesitantly asked, "Do you know Azure's abroad too? I ran into her at the supermarket today."

Then I deliberately added, "If you like her, I suggest you make a move. Otherwise, Gabriel seems to have the advantage right now."

There was a long silence on the other end.

Then the busy tone.

Looked like Nason was really mad.

I kind of regretted stirring the pot. After all, what did any of this have to do with me?

After hanging up, I fell into a deep sleep. I wasn't about to let this small thing keep me up.

The next morning, I slept until late.

Since I'd be spending the next few days with Ceria, I'd already requested time off from work. Companies abroad were pretty chill about that—the leave process wasn't complicated at all.

I was hiding in the bathroom brushing my teeth when I suddenly felt my stomach churn.

After dry heaving for a while, I finally felt like I could breathe again.

"That's weird. Why am I nauseous all of a sudden?"

I muttered to myself, then suddenly thought of something alarming.

Oh crap. My period hadn't come this month.

But my cycle was always irregular, so I hadn't paid attention.

Ceria's bedroom door opened. Seeing me standing there pale as a ghost, she jumped.

"Are you trying to scare me to death?" Ceria yelled at me.

"Ceria, my stomach feels off."

I looked at Ceria, my face ugly.

Seeming startled by my expression, Ceria rushed over and grabbed my arm. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

I shook my head, looking dazed. "I don't know. I just keep feeling nauseous."

Hearing this, Ceria's eyes widened.

"How long has it been since you had your period?"

Sure enough, she had the same suspicion I did.

"No way. I'm just psyching myself out. Don't jump to conclusions," I told Ceria.

"Come on, let's just buy a pregnancy test and find out."

Ceria grabbed my arm and pulled me outside.

My mind was completely scrambled. I let Ceria drag me along.

At the supermarket, Ceria picked out all different types and brands of pregnancy tests.

"We don't need to buy this many," I said, looking at Ceria helplessly.

I couldn't even wait to get home. I found a bathroom at a nearby hotel and rushed in.

I tested several times. Every single one showed two lines.

I sat on the toilet, completely stunned.

I was pregnant.

I'd just gotten divorced from Gabriel. What was I supposed to do now?

I felt anxious and frustrated.

"Ember, you okay in there?"

Ceria was outside, banging on the door.

To avoid making Ceria suspicious, I quickly destroyed the evidence and opened the door.

"What were you doing in there all secretive?" Ceria complained, looking annoyed.

"Just some stomach trouble."

I made up an excuse.

My mind was racing, trying to figure out what to do next.

If I told Gabriel, the Sinclair family elders would definitely make me have this baby.

If I didn't tell Gabriel, I had two options. One was to get an abortion. The other was to secretly have the baby and become a single mom.

The baby was still early. I had enough time to make a decision.

"I'm feeling better now. Let's go home." I took Ceria's arm.

I tried hard to control my spiraling emotions.

Just as I'd calmed down a bit, Gabriel called as soon as I got home.

I didn't answer. I hung up right away.

It was like if I answered, he'd immediately know I was pregnant.

[I'm heading back.]

A WhatsApp notification popped up. It was a message from Gabriel.

I was a bit surprised he was willing to leave Azure here alone.

But it made sense—he had to handle work back home too.

"Got it," I replied to Gabriel.

Ceria stayed with me for a few more days before leaving.

My life went back to normal as I threw myself into work.

Ceria still called me regularly like before, which made being alone abroad feel less lonely.

A month later, I went back home to attend a college friend's wedding.

At the wedding, I unexpectedly ran into Gabriel.

He looked the same as always—his face cold as ice, radiating an unapproachable aura.

I honestly couldn't be bothered getting near this man. After all, once we signed those divorce papers, we had nothing to do with each other.

Probably because of the pregnancy hormones, I kept feeling exhausted.

After chatting with a few old classmates, my whole body started aching.

The wedding was at a fancy hotel that thoughtfully provided rest rooms for guests.

I slowly got up, planning to rest for a bit.