Chapter 66 Pregnancy Discovered?
"Alaric."
Janet's voice was soft as she tried to follow Alaric out of the hospital room. She had barely taken two steps when Delphine's stern voice interrupted.
"Janet, are you here to see me or Alaric?"
Janet's expression froze momentarily, and she stopped in her tracks. "Mrs. Jennings, of course, I came to see you."
She looked directly at Delphine, who seemed to have already seen through her thoughts. Janet bit her lip lightly, feeling a bit guilty.
Delphine glanced at her and said indifferently, "Why bother? It's clear Alaric's not into you anymore."
Janet took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions.
"Mrs. Jennings, do you think I'm not good enough for Alaric too?I know my family background isn't great, and I can't compare to the Stone family or Evelyn's capabilities. But does that mean I can't even fight for the boy I like?"
Delphine listened to Janet's words and shook her head.
"If you had said this to me three years ago, I might've felt for you. But now, hearing these words, I feel nothing. You chose five million dollars over Alaric, didn't you?"
Janet paused, her face turning pale.
She had indeed taken Ruth's money, and this fact was an undeniable blow.
"I..."
She was speechless.
Delphine sighed and said softly, "Only you know if you love Alaric for who he is or for what he can offer."
Janet bit her lip hard. "Of course, I love Alaric for who he is."
Delphine remained silent, not wanting to argue further.
Janet felt a lump in her throat, making her uncomfortable.
After a while, Delphine dismissed her, "You should go now. I'm tired and need to rest."
With Alaric not around, Janet didn't want to stay any longer. She turned and left after hearing Delphine's words.
Delphine watched her leave and shook her head.
Meantime, Cordelia was standing in the elevator, waving goodbye to Hannah with a smile on her face. "Come visit me in Astoria when you have some time off."
Hannah agreed cheerfully. "Sure thing."
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt the temperature around her drop.
She glanced to the side and saw Alaric walking into the elevator with a stern expression.
He stood in front of Cordelia, his handsome face cold and unapproachable.
Hannah quickly stepped aside.
The elevator doors closed.
Cordelia lightly pressed her lips together, looking at Alaric standing before her. A pang of sadness welled up inside her.
Her years of secret love and youth had come to an end.
She couldn't help but feel a bit unwilling.
She controlled her emotions and lowered her head.
The elevator doors opened, and Alaric stepped out.
She followed him out, still deep in thought.
She didn't notice that Alaric had suddenly stopped in front of her.
Her head bumped into Alaric's rigid back, and she looked up, startled, and apologized.
"Sorry, I didn't notice."
Alaric took a deep breath, turned around, and looked down at her.
She was holding a gift box, probably one left over.
Upon thinking of Janet's words, his eyes grew colder.
"What, are you and Dominic planning some kind of wedding and handing out gifts everywhere?"
"What?" Cordelia was thrown off by his sudden question. "What wedding?"
Alaric's eyes darkened, frustration boiling inside him. He snatched the gift box from her hand, his voice icy.
"Consider this my divorce present."
Cordelia froze for a moment, stunned.
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Alaric got into his car and tossed the gift box onto the passenger seat. His eyes landed on the divorce decree, and his expression hardened. He picked it up and flung it to the back seat.
Cordelia looked away and headed towards the opposite end of the parking lot, their paths diverging.
At the Stone Manor.
As soon as Cordelia entered, she heard Ruth and Donald chatting.
She walked in, and Ruth immediately waved her over. "Cordelia, how did it go?"
Cordelia nodded. "It went smoothly. I've got the divorce decree."
Ruth smiled, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "Did Alaric go to court himself?"
Cordelia nodded again. "Yes."
For some reason, she felt Ruth seemed a bit too pleased with herself.
"Cordelia, come sit down. In the early stages of pregnancy, you shouldn't stand for too long, or your back will hurt later."
Ruth reached out and pulled Cordelia to sit down.
Cordelia's expression changed drastically, filled with terror.
She quickly looked at Donald.
Donald also seemed slightly surprised.
Seeing Cordelia's shocked expression, Ruth gently smoothed her hair. "Don't be afraid, be careful not to stress the baby."
"The divorce was his choice, but this child still has to call me great-grandma."
"When are you going to Astoria?"
Cordelia calmed herself and saw that Ruth wasn't blaming her, feeling deeply guilty.
"Maybe within the next week."
"Grandma, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hide it from you. I was just worried."
Janet's health wasn't good, and Alaric cared deeply for her. He wouldn't want Janet to go through a pregnancy.
If Alaric knew she was pregnant and wanted to keep the baby, he would definitely fight for custody.
Ruth looked kindly at her.
"I understand; it's not on you. I've known you for so many years; I know what kind of person you are."
She not only understood Cordelia but also Alaric.
She could see Alaric's visible frustration lately, and she understood his feelings.
"I'm old now, otherwise I'd move to Astoria with you."
"Given my health, I can only ask about the baby's due date and visit you in Astoria when the time comes."
Cordelia's nose tingled with emotion.
Ruth was so good to her.
And she had tried so hard to hide it, now feeling a deep sense of guilt.
"I'm five weeks pregnant now, due around January 20, 2024."
Ruth nodded seriously. "Next year is good. A spring baby is wonderful."
Donald agreed. "Spring is a great time for new beginnings."
As Ruth spoke, she gently touched Cordelia's still-flat stomach. "A lucky baby."
Cordelia smiled slightly.
Her baby would indeed be lucky, loved by so many even before being born.
Even if Alaric didn't love her, it didn't seem to matter.