Chapter 37 Pregnancy
Rachel got home a little after 11 PM, took a hot bath, and found that Steven still wasn't back.
It wasn't until the next morning in the kitchen that she saw him bustling around.
Steven noticed her, set down the hot milk he was holding, and his face softened with affection. "Hey, you're up. Did you sleep okay last night?"
Rachel hesitated, unsure whether he had spent the night with Nancy.
She hid her emotions, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "Yeah, it was alright. When did you get back last night?"
"A little after 3 AM."
"That late?"
Rachel looked up in surprise, but couldn't tell if he was lying.
She continued, "How long did you sleep then? Why are you up already?"
"I slept for about four hours. It's fine, I couldn't sleep any longer anyway, and I wanted to make you your favorite eggs."
Rachel glanced at the elaborate breakfast spread on the table. "You made all this?"
Especially the plate of eggs.
She remembered how Steven had struggled to learn how to make eggs, failing many times because he couldn't get the temperature right. They were either burnt or undercooked.
He practiced for a long time, and Heather even joked that she and the housemaids had eaten eggs for a whole week.
It wasn't until Steven mastered it that he officially made them for her.
She was always touched by his attentiveness and care.
But now, all that love seemed to overflow, filling the spaces that Nancy had now occupied.
Or rather, what used to be Rachel's place belonged to Nancy now.
Rachel sipped her hot milk, feeling a sense of rejection and difficulty accepting this reality.
It felt ridiculous.
Her once bright, happy, and content heart was now riddled with wounds, bleeding because of Steven and Nancy.
Even now, thinking about how Steven had lied to her last night to be with Nancy, she couldn't remain unaffected.
Her heart still ached, and she felt suffocated.
Rachel picked up her fork and took a bite, chewing slowly. She smiled and said, "It's been a while since I had this. It's delicious. You're really good at this."
Steven added another piece to her plate. "It's my fault. I haven't made it for you in so long. I'll make it for you every day from now on."
Rachel smiled, but her eyes were calm. Her voice was a bit distant. "No need. Eating the same thing every day gets boring. It's good to have some variety."
"Then tell me what you want to eat, and I'll make it for you. If I don't know how, I'll learn."
"Okay."
Rachel agreed with a smile, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, I had a little fender bender last night. The front bumper of your car has a small crack and some paint chipped off. It needs to go to the shop today."
"A fender bender?"
Steven's expression turned worried as he stood up and walked over to her, looking her over. "Are you hurt? Why didn't you call me?"
His eyes and tone were filled with genuine concern.
Rachel always felt a bit dazed by his deep and sincere attitude, even feeling a bit unreal.
She smiled. "No, I'm fine. If something had happened, I would have called you."
Steven looked remorseful. "I'm sorry, honey. It's my fault. It was raining last night. I shouldn't have let you drive home alone."
"It's really okay. Don't be like this."
He held her hand tightly. "It's on me. From now on, call me anytime something happens. Don't hesitate. Haven't I told you? You're the most important person in my life, Rachel. I can't live without you."
Steven knelt down, looking up at her with eyes full of tenderness behind his glasses. "So no matter what, you gotta tell me right away, okay?"
More important than anything? Then what about Nancy?
The person who could call him away with just one phone call—wasn't she important to him?
If he couldn't live without her, why did he have an inappropriate relationship with Nancy?
Rachel didn't understand.
Maybe what Steven was saying now was true, but since he chose to betray her, Nancy would always be a thorn between them.
No matter how moved she was, her rational mind would still tell her what the right choice was.
She wasn't that forgiving.
She couldn't just forgive and forget.
At least, the hurt they caused her was real.
"Okay."
She agreed with a smile.
Steven squeezed her hand, looking at her gently, and stood up, leaning in to kiss her. Rachel's heart tightened, and she suddenly recalled the sight and sound of him passionately kissing Nancy.
Disgusting, nauseating.
She couldn't help but cover her mouth.
Steven was startled and asked nervously, "Honey, what's wrong? Do you feel like throwing up? Is your stomach upset?"
Rachel waved her hand. "No, no, I probably just ate too much."
"Really? Are you sure?" Steven still looked worried.
"Yes, I'm sure."
He pursed his lips, and then his eyes lit up with a sudden thought. "Honey, isn't your period late this month?"
Rachel froze for a moment, immediately understanding what he was thinking from his expression.
Pregnant.
But her period was due these days.
She had marked it on the calendar for today.
Her period was always very regular, even if it was late, it was only by a day or two.
But Steven's question made her feel uncertain and anxious.
She had indeed felt nauseous because Steven tried to kiss her.
Could she really be pregnant?
No way!
She hadn't let Steven touch her this month.
But what if she was pregnant now?
What should she do?
Abort it, or keep it?
Her thoughts were a mess, but she forced herself to stay calm and said, "It's not time yet. What are you thinking?"
Steven smiled, brushing her hair aside. "What else? I want to be a dad. Don't you want to be a mom?"
Rachel opened her mouth, but the first thing that came to mind was that terrifying dream.
If that dream was a warning.
Even if she was pregnant, she wouldn't keep it.
She licked her lips. "I do, but I don't know if I can be a good mom. I'm not ready."
"It's okay, honey. I'm here with you. We'll learn and grow together. We'll be great parents."
Steven promised earnestly. "Whether it's a boy or a girl, I'll love them with all my heart."
"Let's wait a few days. If your period still doesn't come, we'll go to the hospital for a checkup, okay? It might be good news."
Rachel nodded, placing her hand on her stomach. "If it's true, then it's fate."
Steven stood up. "Don't wear high heels these days. Be careful. Are you going to Stargaze Gallery later? I'll drive you there, your car is still over there."
"Okay. What about the car that got hit?"
"I'll have the driver take it to the shop."
"Alright."
Rachel didn't put on any makeup, just grabbed her things and got into Steven's other car, a Range Rover. As soon as she closed the door, her phone in her bag chimed.
She took it out and read the message: [On June 19th last year, Steven and Nancy first checked into Sunbeam Hotel. July 2nd, second time. July 26th, third time. August 9th, fourth time, stayed for three days. August 25th, stayed for two days. September 4th, sixth time, stayed for four days. September 21st, Nancy's birthday, stayed for five days, then Steven took Nancy to Harborview City and Willowvale Heights for a week... November 8th, Steven officially booked Room 1408.]