Chapter 614: Pregnant
Chapter 614: Pregnant
Yet, back then, blinded by relief, they hadn’t thought much of it. In fact, they had even rewarded the hospital generously.
They had conducted a full-body check-up afterward, ensuring there were no lingering side effects, and to their surprise, everything had appeared perfectly normal.
Grateful for the outcome, Eugene had even promised to invest in their institution and help expand it in the future.
Now, recalling all of this, Peter inhaled deeply.
’Was he under someone’s influence all along?’
He stepped forward and pulled Adriana into a firm embrace.
"I’m sorry... You had to go through so much just because you’re with me."
Adriana let out a soft chuckle as she hugged him back.
"You’re overthinking again," she said gently. "Even if it were someone else, as long as I loved them, I would have done the same."
Her words, though comforting, stirred a faint jealousy in Peter’s heart as Henry’s name flashed across his mind.
"So... you would’ve done all this for Henry too?"
Seeing the hint of jealousy in his eyes, Adriana couldn’t help but laugh softly.
She lifted her hand and patted his head, her touch light and teasing.
"Why are you acting like a lost puppy?" she said with a smile.
"We’re already together... and soon, we’ll practically be engaged. Not long from now, we’ll be married in this world."
Her words eased the tension, and the two of them lingered in each other’s embrace a little longer.
Time slipped by quietly, and before they realized it, an entire month had passed.
During that time, Adriana finally uncovered something deeply unsettling.
The hospital had implanted something in Eugene’s mind.
One day, as she was discussing this with Peter in the living room, their voices low but urgent, Aurora happened to pass by.
Without hesitation, she stepped in and joined them.
She informed them about a place known as The Royalty, a hospital rumored to specialize in removing such implanted chips.
At first, Aurora had not intended to involve herself deeply.
However, within the past half a month, she began noticing subtle changes in Adriana, her distracted gaze. It was enough to raise suspicion.
Aurora decided to investigate personally.
What she found was far more alarming than she had anticipated.
Thus, one day, she deliberately acted as though she had overheard everything by chance and suggested a solution.
When she spoke, her tone was casual, but her eyes held certainty.
Both Adriana and Peter took her suggestion seriously. After all, they already knew about Aurora’s true identity.
Following her guidance, they brought Eugene to a grand hospital located in the suburbs.
After thorough examinations, their suspicions were confirmed.
A chip had indeed been implanted.
The procedure to remove it was successful, though recovery took time.
For half a month, Eugene remained under observation, slowly regaining his strength.
When he finally woke fully, clarity returned to his mind.
The memories of his past behavior flooded back, and with them came overwhelming guilt.
Tears welled up in his eyes, slipping down silently as his voice trembled. "From now on... I will never judge a woman based on her background again."
His words were sincere, heavy with regret.
Adriana chuckled softly at his earnestness, and Peter couldn’t help but smile as well.
Two months later, Maria confirmed that she was pregnant.
A smug smile often lingered on her lips.
’Once I reveal this at the right time... everything will fall into place,’ she thought, her eyes gleaming with hidden intent.
She planned carefully, waiting until her third month, just past the first trimester, so that no one could easily force her into an abortion.
By then, she was certain Mary would believe Adam had betrayed her, and everything would unfold exactly as she desired.
However, two months later, during a routine check-up, her confident expression faltered for the first time.
The doctor’s words echoed.
The child she carried had severe congenital issues, both physical and developmental abnormalities.
The doctor advised termination.
But Maria’s fingers clenched tightly against her clothes, her eyes hardening despite the unease creeping into her chest.
’How can I give this up...? This is my golden ticket,’ she thought.
Without hesitation, she refused.
By the fourth month, she made her move.
She went directly to confront Adam. She tried to do so in secret.
’If this gets exposed... if Adam files a case and an investigation begins... I’ll be finished. I’ll go to jail,’ she thought.
When Adam looked up and saw a visibly pregnant Maria standing at the doorway, his tense shoulders seemed to loosen almost instantly.
From the moment he had learned about her pregnancy, he had assumed she had moved on and found someone else.
The fact that she had not been bothering him as persistently as before only reinforced that belief, allowing him a rare moment of ease.
As Maria entered, the soft click of the door shutting behind her echoed slightly in the room.
She turned the lock and then faced him. "Let’s talk."
Adam frowned slightly, leaning back in his chair as he folded his arms, his tone calm but edged with impatience.
"What do you want?" His eyes narrowed faintly as he added, "Why are you acting like we have some kind of relationship beyond work?"
Maria let out a low chuckle.
"That’s a good question," she replied, her lips curling into a faint smile.
She slowly walked forward and took a seat across from him.
Gently, she placed a hand on her baby bump, rubbing it with deliberate slowness before lifting her gaze.
"Actually... we do have a relationship beyond just professional."
Adam’s expression hardened, but he remained silent.
Maria inhaled softly. "I’m pregnant."
Adam gave a small nod, his voice neutral. "Congratulations."
For a brief moment, a strange smile appeared on Maria’s face.
"That’s not all." Her voice dropped. "I’m pregnant with your child. Does that ring a bell now?"
Adam’s brows knitted together as he stared at her, his expression turning serious, almost cold.
After a brief pause, he spoke flatly, "I can recommend a good doctor."
Maria blinked, confusion flickering across her face.
Adam exhaled quietly and continued, his tone almost clinical.
"Pregnancy can sometimes cause delusions. It’s not uncommon. I suggest you see a psychiatrist. Don’t worry, the company will cover the expenses."
His words struck her like a slap.
A surge of anger rushed through her veins, and she abruptly stood up.
She pointed at him. "This baby is yours! Don’t you even want to ask how?"
Adam’s eyes flickered briefly, a hint of unease passing through them before he asked, his voice low, "How?"
Hearing that, Maria seemed to relax slightly, as if she had been waiting for that question.
She sank back into the chair and let out a soft laugh.
"It’s simple," she said, her tone laced with smugness. "I found one of your used condoms... and used what was inside."
The moment those words left her lips, Adam’s expression changed.
His fingers tightened against the desk. ’I never use...’
He looked at her sharply and said, his voice firm, "Have you ever considered that the condom might not have been mine?"
Maria froze, her confident expression cracking as confusion replaced it. "What do you mean?"
Adam cleared his throat lightly, his gaze unwavering. "I don’t use condoms with Mary."
At his words, Maria slammed her hand against the table, the sound echoing harshly.
She shot up to her feet, fury blazing in her eyes.
"At least make your lies believable!" she snapped.
"If you’re going to lie, then explain this, how can you not use protection? Aren’t you afraid of getting Mary pregnant? You’re both already in your forties. You should know better!"
Adam rolled his eyes slightly, his patience thinning as he looked at her.
"I take male birth control pills," he replied calmly. "They’re expensive, but effective. I don’t need to use anything else."
As he spoke, Maria’s smug expression slowly began to crumble, her lips parting slightly as doubt crept in.
She stared at him, her voice quieter now, tinged with disbelief.
"Aren’t you worried... that you might never have a child again because of those pills?"
Adam frowned, his expression softening just a fraction as he spoke, his voice steady but filled with sincerity.
"If Mary takes birth control, it would harm her body. She’s already weak. I can’t risk her health."
He paused briefly before adding, "I’m healthy. I can handle it. And I have a lot of children already... so no."
For the first time, Maria truly saw it... the depth of his feelings.
’He really loves her...’ The realization struck her deeply.
He loved Mary as if she were the only woman in the world.
Otherwise, why would he willingly take that risk, never once considering how it might affect his own future?
Taking a slow breath, she steadied herself and asked,
"Then what about the condom that was thrown in your bin four months ago? The one that was... used?"
Adam shook his head without hesitation. "I have no idea."
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