Chapter 194
Everyone present was a bit stunned.
They didn't understand what Dorian meant.
Was he unhappy about Dorian's arrival, or dissatisfied with Joshua's behavior?
The adults all remained quiet.
But Aurora was afraid that Dorian's words would hurt Joshua's feelings, so she stroked his face to comfort him.
"Dad, don't worry about what Dorian said. In my heart, you're the best Joshua. I think you'll get better and better and won't let us down."
Anyway, ever since she'd been with Joshua, he'd been really good to her.
He'd give her whatever she asked for, and whenever he had time, he'd stay with them and prepare delicious food.
Because Joshua often picked her and Dorian up from school, no one at school dared to call her a fatherless wild child anymore.
Joshua looked at Aurora and smiled with relief. "I'm fine."
But his heart was still on edge.
He was afraid Dorian wouldn't accept the new baby.
Afraid that Ella would consider Dorian's feelings and not want the child.
Joshua didn't deny that he was very happy about Ella's pregnancy.
But he was also worried.
Even with Aurora's comfort, his handsome face showed a serious expression.
At that moment, upstairs.
Dorian came to the bedside and saw Ella sitting on the bed in a daze. He took her hand and asked, "Mom, are you really pregnant?"
Ella looked at Dorian and nodded. "Yes, do you mind?"
Dorian took off his shoes, climbed up, and sat next to his mom, shaking his head. "I don't mind. As long as Mom is happy."
Although he said this, his facial expression clearly showed he wasn't happy.
Ella pulled him into her arms and asked again, "Dorian, I want to hear what's really in your heart. Do you really not mind?"
After hesitating for a moment, Dorian told the truth. "Mom, your body isn't really suitable for having a baby. I know that giving birth for a mother is like walking through death's door."
"I feel bad that Mom has to suffer, but he's our little brother after all. If Mom wants to have him, I'll definitely protect both Mom and the baby."
No matter what decision Ella made, he would firmly stand by her side.
His unhappiness was only because he felt sorry for her and worried about her.
Ella could feel that Dorian cared more about her as his mother.
She lowered her head and kissed Dorian's forehead, smiling softly. "Don't worry, Mom and the baby will be fine."
Although they didn't know yet if it was a brother or sister.
But since the baby was coming, she should do her best to protect this child.
As for her relationship with Joshua.
She'd take it one step at a time!
The child wasn't just Joshua's alone.
"Mom, don't overthink it. Since we have a little brother, let's take good care of him when he comes into this world.
Aurora and I have grown up. After he's born, you can continue doing what you love, and Aurora and I will take care of him."
Dorian was afraid Ella would have prenatal depression, so he quickly tried to comfort her.
He also forced out a smile.
Seeing Dorian being so understanding, how could Ella not feel touched?
She smiled and nodded. "Okay, Mom won't overthink it. With you all by my side, supporting me, I feel confident about everything."
"Mm, then get some rest early. Pregnant women need good sleep. I'm going to take a shower too." Dorian jumped off the bed and pulled the blanket over his mom.
Ella watched Dorian's departing figure, feeling warm inside.
If they had another child as understanding and well-behaved as Aurora and Dorian, how could they as parents not love them?
Ella did feel a bit sleepy, and she had to go to work tomorrow.
Just as Ella was about to fall asleep, the door was pushed open again.
She opened her eyes and saw Joshua walking over.
Without saying anything, he just sat gently by her bed and took her hand.
Ella looked at him. "Aren't you going back?"
She pulled her hand back, feeling that she and this man hadn't reached the point where they needed to hold hands all the time, being lovey-dovey like ordinary couples.
Joshua met her gaze and asked uncertainly, "Will you keep this baby?"
He was afraid Ella wouldn't want it.
Afraid that once he left, Ella would go straight to the hospital.
He really wanted this child.
Really wanted a child with his last name.
When he learned Ella couldn't have children, he didn't force it.
But now that she was pregnant, he really looked forward to the baby's arrival.
Ella felt a bit helpless and laughed.
"It's my child, of course, I'll keep it. What are you thinking?"
Back then, when she didn't know whose children Aurora and Dorian were, she still kept them.
Now knowing the baby in her belly was Joshua's, she would naturally keep it.
It wasn't about having a baby for Joshua.
It was her child too. Even without Joshua, she would still have it.
"Really?" Joshua's throat choked up, and he suddenly bent down and buried himself in Ella's arms, his voice hoarse.
"I thought you wouldn't want it. I was afraid you'd have some thoughts about me because of this baby."
"Ella, as long as you're willing to let him come into this world, I'll do anything you ask. I'll do anything for you, really." He was so moved he almost cried, his eyes turning red.
Seeing him acting so childish, Ella felt helpless. At his age, still acting hurt like a little kid.
She sighed helplessly. "I already have two children. Can you stop acting like a child? Being a mom is really tiring."
In other words, she didn't want to be his mother.
Joshua immediately realized he was being a bit weak and quickly moved away from her, his eyes gazing at her tenderly.
"I'm not asking you to treat me like your son. I was just afraid you wouldn't want me to be a father anymore."
"Since you've made your attitude clear, I'm relieved."
Knowing Ella would have the baby for him, Joshua took Ella's hand and kissed it, unable to stop smiling. "Ella, take good care of yourself during pregnancy. I promise I won't disappoint you again."
Ella still wasn't comfortable with his affection and pulled her hand back. "Alright, go back and rest. It's late."
"I want to stay and sleep next to you. Can I? I want to be with my child from this moment until they're grown up."
His hand unconsciously reached toward Ella's abdomen, feeling the little life growing there that belonged to him.
Ella felt very uncomfortable and slapped his hand away. "Are you leaving or not? If not, I won't let you in anymore."
Joshua pretended he was about to cry again. "Ella, please don't be like this. I really want to be with you both."
"I can't sleep with you here."
Ella still insisted he leave.
They were both at an age when desires were strong.
Just like when they were alone together abroad for that period—didn't something happen?
If they slept together, who could resist?
Her pregnancy wasn't easy to begin with.
"Okay, then rest well. If anything happens, remember to call me right away." Joshua kept looking back every few steps, really reluctant to leave.
But since Ella wouldn't let him stay, he had no choice but to obediently leave.
Ella didn't pay much attention. After he left, she lay back down.
She thought about all the moments she'd shared with Joshua over the years, the life-and-death experiences they'd been through.
Perhaps Joshua really had changed and would give her and the children a beautiful, happy future!
She just needed to do her part, work well, and take care of the children.
As for the rest, she'd leave it to fate.
The next day.
Joshua came early again to pick up Ella and the children.
He first dropped the kids off at school, then took Ella to the company.
When they were almost at the company, the phone rang.
It was Ella's phone.
Ella picked it up and glanced at it—it was actually Zachary's number.
He still dared to call her.
But wasn't Zachary being investigated?
Why was he calling her now?
Although puzzled, Ella hung up without answering.
Joshua asked her, "Who was it? Why did you hang up?"
Ella didn't want to make things unpleasant between them, so she didn't answer.
But the phone rang again.
Joshua tilted his head and glanced at it.
He saw Zachary's name displayed on Ella's phone screen.
He suddenly felt uncomfortable and asked, "Isn't this your new phone? Why do you still have his number saved?"
Ella explained, "I copied it over. I didn't touch it."
She still pressed answer.
Avoiding Joshua's gaze, she asked the person on the other end, "What do you want?"
She really wanted to hear what Zachary had to say.
On the phone, Zachary's voice sounded extremely weary and hoarse, full of apology.
"Ella, I'm very sorry. Last time you came over, I didn't take good care of you. After Joshua took you away, I couldn't contact you. Are you okay now?"
Ella was speechless.
Had Zachary lost his memory or something?
How did he still have the nerve to ask if she was okay? Didn't he know in his heart whether she was okay or not?
"Zachary, are you treating me like a fool?"
After what he'd done, how did he still have the nerve to call her?
Ella was angry and was about to hang up when Zachary quickly said, "I don't know what Joshua told you when he took you away, but can you believe me? I never meant to hurt you."
Ella laughed coldly. "You didn't mean to hurt me? But you drugged me?"
He even sent people to chase and kill them, forcing Brian to drive off a cliff. She could never forget that grudge.
But Zachary tried hard to defend himself. "I didn't drug you. I just... Ella, don't you believe me? Are you just listening to everything Joshua says?"
"I'm telling you, Joshua isn't a good person at all. He set a trap for us long ago because of you. He even..."
Ella still didn't wait for him to continue and hung up.
She wasn't just blindly listening to Joshua.
The recording wouldn't lie.
Brian's death was a fact, and Megan's injury was a fact.
And all of this was caused by Zachary and Michael working together.
Did Zachary think that by calling to say a few words to drive a wedge between them, she would believe him?
Impossible.
"What did Zachary say to you?" Joshua, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke.
Ella put away her phone and told the truth. "He asked me to believe him and said you're not a good person. He said everything back then was a trap you set."