Chapter 186

Chapter 186

Michael looked down at her, his gaze gentle as it rested on her face. "What's going on? You can tell me."

"I..." Emily took a deep breath, her cheeks flushing pink. Though soft, her voice was clear.

"I'm pregnant. About five weeks, according to the doctor. It's... it's our baby."

Michael's body suddenly tensed, his grip on her hand tightening.

His expression went blank for a moment, like he couldn't process what he'd just heard.

Then, his deep eyes suddenly lit up with an almost unbelievable joy!

The light in them was so intense it almost hurt Emily's eyes.

"For real? Emily, are you serious?" He sat up straight, carefully cradling her face in his hands like he was holding the most precious thing in the world.

Michael's voice cracked with emotion. "We're... having a baby?"

Seeing his undisguised happiness, the last shadow of doubt in Emily's heart disappeared. She nodded shyly, her eyes welling up. "Yes. But earlier, I almost..."

"Never again! That's never happening again!" Michael cut her off, pulling her tightly into his arms, though more gently than before, as if afraid of hurting her and the tiny life inside her.

His kiss landed on the top of her head, filled with the relief of something precious nearly lost and fierce determination. "I'm sorry, Emily. I failed to protect you both. From now on, I swear no one's going to harm you or our baby ever again!"

He loosened his hold slightly to look into her eyes, his tone dead serious yet excited. "As soon as you're feeling better, we're having the wedding right away! I want everyone to know you're my wife and the mother of my child!"

Emily saw the genuine love and responsibility in his eyes, feeling warmth flood her heart.

She nodded again, her voice soft but firm. "Okay."

Emily went through comprehensive exams at the private hospital. The doctor confirmed that besides needing rest after her traumatic experience, she was in good health.

Since the pregnancy was still in its early weeks, tests showed the baby's indicators were normal, with strong vitality.

This news completely relieved both Michael and Emily.

Meanwhile, Gilbert was officially arrested by the police.

Under pressure from Michael and faced with solid evidence, Gilbert eventually confessed to everything.

Gilbert admitted to using similar tactics over many years to lure, imprison, and even drug and psychologically control multiple women.

Based on his confession, police gradually uncovered leads about previously missing women. Gilbert's methods were extremely cruel and horrifying.

When Emily saw the news reports, she felt both heartbroken and furious for the victims, while also feeling terrified yet grateful that she had escaped such a fate.

After leaving the hospital, Michael took Emily straight to his villa.

His tone was non-negotiable and decidedly firm, though his eyes were full of concern. "The security system here is top-notch, and there's staff to take care of you. With your condition, I can't let you stay by yourself."

After everything she'd been through, Emily didn't hesitate. She knew this was the best option and nodded. "Okay."

Michael's villa had originally been designed with a minimalist modern style, with a black, white, and gray color scheme that gave it a cold feel.

But with Emily's arrival, it seemed to instantly warm up.

Michael had already started having people prepare a nursery.

In the evening, the housekeeper carefully prepared a balanced, mild-flavored dinner.

But as soon as the food hit the table, Emily felt a wave of nausea.

She suddenly covered her mouth, her face turning pale. Without time to say anything, she jumped up and rushed to the bathroom.

Emily hunched over the sink, retching violently like her entire insides were being emptied.

The smell of the carefully prepared, normally appetizing dishes now made her stomach heave uncontrollably.

The intense vomiting made her see stars, cold sweat beading on her forehead, her body so weak she nearly collapsed onto the cold tiles.

Michael followed right behind her. Those hands that made cold, decisive moves in the business world now seemed awkward and helpless.

All he could do was gently rub Emily's thin, trembling back. Looking at her pale, suffering face, his brow furrowed deeply.

His eyes were filled with obvious concern and anxiety.

"Your morning sickness is hitting you hard..." His deep voice had a barely noticeable shake as he watched Emily nearly vomit bile.

Michael's heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. "I'll call the doctor right away to ask if there's anything that can help with the nausea, or if there are any pregnancy-safe meds you can take."

Emily finally stopped vomiting and leaned weakly against Michael.

After rinsing her mouth with water, she managed a pale smile, trying to reassure him instead. "It's... it's okay, Michael. The doctor said this is normal for early pregnancy. Most women go through it—mine's just a bit worse than most.

After a while, when the baby is more stable, it should get better..."

Though she said this, her body was still shaking from exhaustion, obviously suffering.

Seeing her trying to be strong, Michael felt even more protective. Without another word, he picked her up and carefully placed her back on the bed in the bedroom, covering her with a light blanket.

"Tomorrow I'm taking you to the hospital for another detailed checkup, and we'll ask the doctor about ways to handle the morning sickness."

His tone carried an uncompromising determination. "We can't let you keep suffering like this."

The next day, Michael canceled all non-urgent morning appointments and personally drove Emily to the top private hospital's obstetrics department for a prenatal checkup.

He stayed with Emily throughout the entire examination, attentive and thorough, whether supporting her, questioning the doctor, or listening to precautions, all with intense focus.

His tall, straight figure beside Emily's delicate but pale appearance, combined with Michael's careful, protective manner, soon caught the attention of nosy people at the hospital who secretly took photos and posted them online.

Topics like #Wilson Group CEO Michael Spotted with Girlfriend at Prenatal Checkup and #Michael Becoming a Father quickly trended, generating tons of discussion and congratulations.

Michael's phone was soon blowing up with calls, the first naturally coming from his good friend Francis.

"Man, you work fast! You're gonna be a dad already? Congrats! How's Emily doing? Is the pregnancy hitting her hard?" Francis exclaimed on the other end, his voice full of genuine excitement.

Michael took the call, but his gaze remained tenderly fixed on Emily, who was listening to the doctor's explanation nearby.