Chapter 200 Put This in Arabella's Water
Arabella frowned. "Even if he finds a job, don't quit."
She paused, worried Faye wouldn't understand, then explained, "Men always say they'll take care of you. But when you have no income and have to ask for money, you lose your bargaining power. After a year or two of that, he'll start thinking you do nothing all day but spend his money. And his idea of 'taking care of you' might just mean putting food on the table."
"Bottom line—don't quit. Keep working. When it's time, take maternity leave. After you give birth, you'll have insurance coverage. It's protection for you on multiple levels."
Faye blinked. "Arabella, I trust Karl. We've been together six years. I know he won't treat me that way. He genuinely cares about me."
Arabella felt the words catch in her throat, unsure what else to say.
Gillian sighed internally and gently patted Arabella's hand under the table. Faye was too deep in this relationship to see clearly. Nothing they said would get through to her. She'd just think her boyfriend was the exception, her prince charming. Pushing too hard might even backfire. Better to drop it.
Arabella understood this too. Normally she'd never say something so blunt and risk coming across as preachy. But Faye was on the verge of throwing everything away for this guy. Her sunk costs in this relationship were massive.
Just like Arabella herself had once been trapped in Anthony's web, unable to break free.
She didn't want Faye walking the same painful path. But Gillian was right—there was only so much they could do.
Gillian changed the subject. "Why the sudden rush to get married by year's end? That's only a few weeks away. Isn't that too fast?"
It was already December. If they were planning a wedding before New Year's, there'd be barely any time to prepare. Marriage involved so much—could they pull it off?
Faye sighed heavily. "It's tight, I know. But what choice do I have? If I don't hurry, by next year I'll be showing. I don't want to look all pregnant and frumpy in my wedding dress."
"What do your parents think?" Gillian asked.
Faye's face fell. "My dad is furious. When I told him I was pregnant, he got so mad he smashed the TV. He still can't stand Karl. My mom feels bad for me, so she's not saying much now. She just said to go ahead and get married. They'll provide the house and car, won't ask for a bride price. But they're not giving me a dowry either. And the house and car will be in my mom's name—they say it's for me, but really we're just allowed to use them."
Arabella and Gillian exchanged a glance. At least her parents had their heads on straight.
They knew Faye's personality well enough not to put anything in her name—probably worried she'd impulsively sell it all.
But Faye didn't grasp her parents' protective intentions. She sighed. "I really don't get why they don't trust Karl at all. Acting like they have to guard against him. It's making Karl uncomfortable too. Being caught in the middle is so stressful."
Arabella could only offer, "Once enough time passes and your parents see what kind of person he is, they'll relax. You have faith in him and he truly loves you—being able to marry is what matters. Those material things, if he really loves you, he won't care about them."
Faye nodded thoughtfully.
Arabella and Gillian stayed for dinner with Faye. Karl never came home. And since every other sentence out of Faye's mouth was about her boyfriend, they both felt increasingly uncomfortable. They made their excuses before eight and left.
Outside Faye's building, Gillian asked, "What do you think?"
Arabella shook her head. "Her and her boyfriend—it's not going to end well."
She wasn't one to gossip or make harsh predictions. Normally she'd never say something like that. But today, what she'd seen at Faye's place had hit her hard. And she knew without doubt that her prediction would come true.
Gillian looked at her with some surprise. "I thought you'd be more understanding with Faye. You've always struck me as very gentle and accepting."
"Not about this." Arabella's voice was quiet. "I've been burned on this exact thing before."
Gillian thought about Arabella's seemingly perfect ex-husband "Anthony" and began to understand.
She sighed. "I feel the same way you do. But Faye's already been brainwashed. Nothing we say will get through. The only thing we can do is make damn sure she doesn't quit her job."
Arabella understood what Gillian was really saying. Her transfer orders had come through last week—after the New Year, she'd be moving to headquarters. This was Gillian's way of passing the torch before leaving.
Arabella wouldn't refuse. "Faye and I have worked together for over six months. She's smart and young. If there's a way to help her, I won't just stand by."
Gillian smiled and nodded. "You're already one of three team leaders now. Next year you'll probably get promoted to sales director or something."
Arabella just smiled, saying nothing.
Honestly, she'd been wondering lately how much of her success at this company came from her own efforts. After all, Alexander had admitted to feeding her plenty of business. All her supposed hard work and independence... had it all been under Alexander's umbrella of influence?
She couldn't sort it out. And she was too tired to try. She pushed the thought away.
---
When Arabella got home, Becky had just finished her homework and was learning about writing with Alexander.
Seeing Arabella, Becky ran over with a gossip-hungry grin. "Ms. Bourbon, Mr. FitzRoy told me you're pregnant!"
Arabella was a bit surprised. "I was planning to tell you properly in a few days. Didn't expect you'd find out early."
Becky giggled and reached to touch her stomach. "There are two babies in there? That's so cool! Your stomach is still so flat though."
Arabella laughed. "It's only been a few weeks. They're still the size of little peanuts."
She pulled Becky down to sit beside her, her expression turning serious. "Becky, I know you might feel uncertain about me being pregnant. But I promise you—even with my own children, I'll still be responsible for you. I'll raise you and take care of you properly."
She'd meant to have this conversation at a more formal time, but since Becky already knew, Arabella wanted to address any worries before they could fester.
But Becky just waved her hand with an embarrassed laugh. "Oh my gosh, you and Mr. FitzRoy are so mushy! I get it already!"
She ran back to her room, looking flustered.
Arabella turned to Alexander in surprise. She hadn't expected him to consider this angle too.
Alexander met her gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting. "What, impressed by how thoughtful I am? I'd be thrilled if you were."
His smile left Arabella feeling dizzy and unfocused. She had to collect herself before finding her voice. "Becky was originally my adopted child. I didn't expect you to care so much."
Alexander looked genuinely puzzled. "Even though you adopted her, she's living in our home. She's our child together. As an adoptive father, of course I need to care about her mental and physical health, her education, even who she's friends with. I need to make sure she grows up right."
Arabella felt touched.
He'd always been such a responsible, conscientious man. A man like that made it so hard not to fall for him.
But thinking about all the gaps between them, her warming heart cooled back down. After this weekend meeting his parents, everything would be over. Better not to think too much about it.
Alexander didn't need to guess what she was thinking. He deliberately walked over and pressed close behind her. Arabella went rigid. "You—"
Just as she started to speak, he reached past her and grabbed a tissue from the side, wiping his hands.
Arabella's spine relaxed. Oh. She'd misunderstood. He just needed a tissue.
"I what?" Alexander tossed the tissue in the trash, but his body hadn't moved an inch. If anything, he leaned in closer. Arabella felt the overwhelming presence of him, so close.
"Thought I was going to hug you?" he asked with a soft laugh.
Arabella turned her face away awkwardly. "No..."
"Good thing you didn't misunderstand. I really was just wiping my hands. I did the dishes before you got home." Alexander finished his explanation, watching Arabella's increasingly flustered expression. His mouth curved up as he lowered his head and gently tilted her chin up.
"But now... now I want to hold you."
He lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Arabella felt all the blood in her body rushing to her head. She pushed against him in a panic, confused about what was happening. Alexander had always been so gentlemanly with her. Especially after learning she wanted a divorce, he'd been completely proper, never crossing any lines...
What was different about today?
She was panicking, but Alexander didn't budge. He caught her pushing hands and brought them around to his back, making her circle his waist.
The kiss was gentle, thorough, and long.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he stopped, slightly breathless, and looked down at her strawberry-red lips.
His forehead pressed against hers, his voice low and a bit husky. "I just suddenly remembered—until we actually file for divorce, we're still legally married. I can do all kinds of bad things to you."
Arabella stared at him, her heart pounding with confusion. She didn't know what had gotten into him, but she couldn't bring herself to feel offended by his forwardness. She couldn't even control how her body responded.
She'd meant to push him away, but he gently pulled her into a hug, resting his head on her shoulder. His voice was soft. "I just really wanted to hold you, Arabella."
For some reason, Arabella detected a thread of vulnerability in his voice.
Compelled by something she couldn't name, she didn't push him away.
She also didn't notice the triumphant smile playing at the corner of the man's mouth.
Those tips he'd found online were actually working.
Thank you, helpful internet strangers.
Alexander knew when to quit while ahead. After holding her for a bit, he let go and asked casually, "Are you going to shower?"
Arabella nodded, then felt weird about it. Kissing her, hugging her, then asking if she wanted to shower... why did that sound so suggestive?
Though she was obviously overthinking it. She'd only just gotten pregnant. Even if Alexander had improper thoughts, he wouldn't dare act on them.
Before bed, Arabella lay down and Alexander scooted over, pressing a kiss to her lips. She clutched the blanket in confusion, then watched him smile and say, "Good night."
He turned off the light.
In the darkness, Arabella could only hear her own heartbeat, wild and erratic.
---
At the same time, in another room, Becky had climbed into bed early but wasn't asleep.
She hugged her blanket and tossed and turned, unable to stop thinking about what Anthony had said to her today.
"She's about to have her own children. Once they're born, do you really think she'll have energy left for you? Forget about everything else—do you know how much money it costs to raise a kid? Those two babies will take resources that should be yours. Becky, you'll end up with nothing again. If I were you, I'd find a way to get rid of those two kids."
Anthony had found her during lunch at school.
She had no idea how he'd gotten into the school cafeteria.
He'd just sat down next to her with his tray and asked if she knew Ms. Bourbon was pregnant.
Then he'd said all those things.
Becky had argued back immediately. "Ms. Bourbon genuinely cares about me. If she promised to raise me, she'll do it. She finally has a chance at her own children—I would never hurt her. I know what you're trying to do. You want to use me! But when nobody else wanted me, Ms. Bourbon did. She gave me hope. I won't help you!"
Anthony had just looked at her and laughed. His laugh made her skin crawl. She couldn't help raising her voice. "What's so funny?"
Anthony patted her head. "Becky, remember this—people change. People only truly love their own flesh and blood. Even your Ms. Bourbon. She's good to you now because you're all she has. But once her babies are born, you won't be her only one anymore. Her own children will take her attention. Gradually she'll have less time for you, start neglecting you, until eventually she resents you for taking resources from her biological kids."
"It's human nature. You can trust her all you want, but you can't change it. Understand?"
His words had left Becky speechless. Maybe because deep down, part of her thought the same thing.
She'd grown up in foster care. She'd seen enough of the world's coldness not to expect much from anyone. But Ms. Bourbon was genuinely kind. Mr. FitzRoy too. She really, really liked them.
Would they really stop caring about her once their biological children were born?
Anthony had given her a packet of powder, smiling as he said, "Becky, put this in Arabella's drinking water. It's colorless and tasteless—no one will know it was you. After she drinks it, the babies in her stomach will disappear without anyone knowing. Then no one can threaten your position."
After leaving the powder, Anthony had walked away, as if completely certain she'd do what he wanted.
Now Becky climbed out of bed and opened her backpack. The packet of powder lay inside, silent and waiting.