Chapter 27 Sherry is Pregnant
Mindy: [Sherry is pregnant. Elizabeth, are you getting ready to leave the Johnson family?]
A week after Elizabeth had been recovering at Timothy's home, she received this message from Mindy.
Mindy didn't stop there—one smug, gloating text after another lit up Elizabeth's phone.
Elizabeth replied with a single, careless line: [Congratulations.]
She hadn't expected Sherry to be pregnant. Elizabeth's lips curved faintly. "Well... good for her," she murmured.
Mindy, seeing the light tone in Elizabeth's reply, gave a cold snort. She turned to Sherry. "Sherry, have you told Armando yet?"
Sherry's hand rested protectively over her stomach, her eyes soft but shadowed with sorrow. "Armando's been busy with the factory in Oceancrest City. I don't want to disturb him. And, Mindy... I can't keep this baby."
Mindy's eyes widened. "Why not?"
"It's wrong. Armando and Elizabeth are married, no matter what's between them. What does that make me—his mistress tucked away somewhere? I can't let the child be born illegitimate. Please don't tell Armando."
Pain shimmered in Sherry's gaze.
Mindy paced, then took Sherry's hand, her voice rising with frustration. "Sherry, you have to keep the baby. Armando has always loved you. If it weren't for Grandmother forcing him to marry Elizabeth... Wait. I'll tell her. She's desperate for a grandchild."
She snatched up her bag and headed for the door. "Sherry, wait for good news."
"Mindy, wait—Mindy..."
Mindy went straight to Emerald Park to find Bronte.
When she told Bronte about Sherry's pregnancy, the older woman sighed. "Armando comes back from Oceancrest City the day after tomorrow. Bring Sherry here then."
"Grandmother, you agree to let Sherry be with Armando?" Mindy's face lit with excitement.
Bronte said nothing more, only waved her away.
Mindy left Emerald Park in high spirits, while Sherry, upon hearing the news, was caught between nervousness and hope.
Elizabeth received Bronte's call and was already prepared for it. "Elizabeth, Armando will be back the day after tomorrow. You should come home too—we have something to discuss."
"All right, Grandmother."
Elizabeth blinked, a faint smile touching her lips as she hung up.
Timothy had just finished delivering a baby. The father's face glowed with joy as he shook his hand. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, Dr. Robinson."
Stepping out of the delivery room, Timothy bought a cold drink and wandered to the smoking area. He thought of Elizabeth, glancing at his watch. Around this time, she was usually sprawled on the couch watching some mindless TV.
He called her.
No answer. Maybe she was caught up in a dramatic scene.
He tried again. And again.
When Elizabeth finally glanced at her phone, she saw a string of missed calls—ten, maybe more—all from Timothy. Her first thought was that something must be wrong.
She called him back immediately.
Timothy, cigarette between his lips, spoke in a low, rough voice. "Want to have dinner tonight?"
"You called me ten times just to ask me that?" Elizabeth's tone was tinged with exasperation.
Her voice, though, was soft and warm in his ear.
Timothy chuckled, removing the cigarette. "Dinner is important business."
Elizabeth thought about her upcoming trip to Emerald Park. "My treat. I've been saying I'd take you out, but never followed through. Tonight works."
Timothy's smile was lazy, almost feline. "My pleasure. Did you take your medicine today?"
Elizabeth hated taking pills, always dragging it out. Timothy had taken to checking on her.
She murmured, "I did."
"Mr. Robinson."
"Wrong. It's either 'darling' or 'Timo.' Pick one."
His voice was relaxed but carried a hint of seriousness.
Elizabeth laughed. "Timo, I'm going back to Emerald Park the day after tomorrow."
Sherry was pregnant. Who knew what would happen when she returned.
Timothy heard the cool edge in her voice. He flicked ash from his cigarette. "Not happy? Should I cheer you up?"
Those words—soft, coaxing—made her pulse quicken. She arched a brow. "Sherry's pregnant. I'm not sad, so you don't need to cheer me up. Just... irritated."
Timothy told her to hang up and wait for him. He said he'd send her something to make her smile.
Elizabeth found herself curious.
Not long after, a video arrived. Timothy's sharp jaw tilted toward the camera, his long fingers holding a cold drink. His Adam's apple moved as he swallowed, then his tongue swept a drop of water from his lips.
His mouth curved into a lazy smile. "Elizabeth."
Elizabeth set down the phone, touching her flushed cheeks.
He was teasing her.
Timothy smirked after sending it. He'd once seen Mabel giddy after sneaking into a male revue, and figured the video he'd shot might do the same for Elizabeth... though for very different reasons.
Thinking of Sherry's pregnancy, his eyes cooled.
Doctors rarely left on time, but today Timothy did. A nurse teased, "Dr. Robinson, do you have a date tonight?"
She was fishing for information—both nurses assigned to him were married, but she was curious.
Timothy smiled faintly. "Yes. With my benefactor."
She fell silent. The idea that the tall, handsome Dr. Robinson was being kept... was shocking.
Elizabeth had booked a restaurant with an old-world charm. A small bridge over flowing water. Even the private room was filled with antique touches.
She wore a fitted red slip dress that bared her smooth shoulders, a red pendant resting against her skin. The look was Mabel's idea—she'd sent the dress over as soon as she heard about the dinner.
After the meal, Elizabeth suggested a walk. The night air was cool and comfortable.
They strolled slowly until Timothy guided her into a narrow alley, his arm firm around her waist.
In the shadows, every sensation sharpened—the heat of his hand on her shoulder, his breath near her ear.
"Elizabeth," he murmured, voice low and coaxing, "let me go back with you the day after tomorrow. All right?"
He was offering to stand by her.