Chapter 287: Newborn

In the courtyard of the Anderson Villa, the lingering scent of osmanthus still hung in the air. Zoey sat with Aiden for quite a while, chatting about everything from battlefield stories to everyday life back home. Aiden held her hand, his eyes full of the cherished feeling of having her back, rambling on about how she needed to take care of herself and never take such risks again. Zoey agreed to everything, her face wearing an obedient smile.

The wind picked up. Zoey helped Aiden inside and got him settled. When she turned to check her phone, the screen was still blank—no messages from Alice.

Her finger kept refreshing her social media feed. Alice's page was stuck on a pregnancy update from three days ago, with nothing since. The message she'd sent last night had gone unanswered. Zoey couldn't help feeling anxious.

Seeing it was getting late, Zoey walked to the bedside, took Aiden's hand, and said goodbye softly:

"Grandpa, I want to go check on my friend Alice. I can't reach her at all."

Aiden patted the back of her hand:

"Go ahead. I just want you to be well and not overwork yourself. I understand your work. Wherever you end up choosing to go, I'll support you. Just take care of yourself and don't make me worry."

Zoey's nose tingled. She leaned down and hugged Aiden:

"I understand, Grandpa. I'll come see you again."

During this visit, both of them tacitly avoided mentioning Andrew. Watching Zoey's retreating figure, Aiden couldn't help but sigh.

Walking out of the Anderson Villa, Zoey took a deep breath and finally pressed Alice's number. The monotonous ringtone came through the receiver, over and over, until it automatically disconnected—no one picked up. She paced back and forth with her phone, and even the lingering osmanthus scent from inside the walls couldn't dispel her unease.

Chase came out after her and stood at a distance, watching her frown at her phone with an anxious expression. He walked over slowly and asked with concern:

"Zoey, what's wrong? You keep staring at your phone and don't look well. Is something urgent?"

Zoey looked up at Chase, her tone somewhat helpless:

"I'm trying to find Alice. I've messaged her and called her, but no response. I'm a bit worried about her."

Chase thought for a moment and suggested:

"Don't worry. Maybe Alice has some special situation and can't answer the phone. Why don't you call Jerry? They're close—he'd definitely know how Alice is doing."

Zoey grabbed onto this like a lifeline, nodding quickly and dialing Jerry's number with slightly trembling fingers. This time, the phone was answered after just two rings.

"Hello, Zoey?"

Jerry's voice carried obvious fatigue.

"Jerry, where's Alice? I messaged Alice yesterday after getting back home, but she hasn't replied to messages or answered calls. Is Alice okay?"

Zoey spoke urgently, completely missing the exhaustion in Jerry's voice.

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, then Jerry's slightly hoarse response came through:

"Alice is fine, she just went into labor early. Yesterday afternoon she suddenly went into labor and was rushed to the delivery room at Phoenix Hospital. It went on until noon today before she gave birth. She's still not out of the delivery room yet. I've been waiting here the whole time."

"She gave birth?!"

Zoey was both surprised and delighted. Her anxious heart instantly relaxed, her voice carrying undisguised excitement:

"A boy or a girl? How's Alice? Was it hard? Can I come to the hospital to see Alice now?"

"It's a boy. Alice is really drained and hasn't woken up yet."

Jerry's tone softened a bit, and he added:

"Sure, come over. I'll wait for you outside the room. If Alice sees you when she wakes up, she'll be really happy."

Zoey hung up, her face still showing a smile. Chase saw Zoey's expression relax and asked: "Is there news from Alice?"

Zoey nodded, still very happy:

"Yes, Alice went into labor early. She had a boy. I want to go to the hospital to see her."

"Let me drive you."

Chase checked his watch and offered.

Zoey was a bit surprised, then thanked him:

"Thank you, Chase."

"You're welcome."

Chase nodded: "I'll get the car. Wait here for a moment."

The car drove smoothly and quickly. Zoey leaned back in her seat, her mind full of joy about meeting the new life, and even the heaviness from past shadows had lightened considerably. She imagined the little one's wrinkled face, and her lips unconsciously curved upward:

After a lifetime of hardship, Alice had finally made it through and had her own baby. Hopefully, while raising this child, she could also raise herself again.

Soon, they arrived at Phoenix Hospital. Following the room number Jerry had given, they found the place. Just as they reached the door, they saw Jerry leaning against the corridor wall, holding some documents, but his expression didn't show the joy of a new father. Seeing Zoey and Chase, Jerry stood up and approached them, nodding slightly at Chase:

"You came too."

Chase nodded back without saying much, tactfully standing aside to give them space to talk.

"Jerry, is Alice awake?"

Zoey asked in a low voice, her gaze unconsciously looking toward the hospital room door.

Jerry shook his head gently and made a shushing gesture:

"She was just brought back to the room not long ago and is still sleeping. Alice used up too much energy during delivery. The doctor said to let Alice rest more."

Zoey nodded and followed Jerry as he gently pushed the door open a crack to look inside. The room was a private single room, decorated warmly and quietly. Alice lay in bed, her face pale as paper, her lips completely colorless. Her long lashes rested quietly, but her brows were slightly furrowed, as if still bearing the afterpain of childbirth. Alice's hair was damp with sweat, stuck to her temples. Her hands lay weakly at her sides. Her usual lively and spirited appearance was completely gone, replaced only by fragility.

Zoey's heart softened. She quietly closed the door and stepped back into the corridor before asking softly:

"Where's the baby? Can I go see him?"

Jerry's lips moved. He pressed his fingers to his temples to relieve his fatigue. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke:

"The baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit. Zoey, there's something I think I should tell you. Consider it... giving you a heads up, so that later when Alice finds out and gets emotional, you can help calm her down."

Zoey sensed something wrong in Jerry's tone. Her heart tensed with a bad feeling:

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with the baby?"