Ch. 361..365: The President's Pregnant, Ex-Wife Chapter 361-365
Chapter 361: Chapter 361 – You wife saved my life.
"Lizzy, could you please check with the caterers for some healthy snacks? Tilda is pregnant as well," Sabrina said to Lizzy, who was standing with Daniel. The two of them were inseparable, and Sabrina was thrilled for her sister.
Lizzy was taken aback by the news of Matilda’s pregnancy, wondering how many babies would be welcomed into the world.
Since no one knew if Matilda was expecting a single or multiple birth, Sabrina’s announcement caught Lizzy off guard.
"God, why didn’t anyone tell me sooner?" Lizzy asked, sounding disappointed.
However, Sabrina felt no remorse. It wasn’t her pregnancy, and she didn’t think it was her place to share the news.
Only this time, she was doing it because of the healthy snacks she wanted for Matilda.
"I just did," Sabrina replied.
Lizzy smiled, half-jokingly saying, "I guess I should get pregnant too. Then all our kids would be the same age."
Sabrina grew impatient, her legs starting to ache in her stilettos. She wanted to return to her seat.
"Enough with the jokes, just get us the snacks," she said with a smile. Lizzy playfully responded, "On one condition."
Before Sabrina could ask what the condition was, a familiar voice interrupted them from behind.
"Is that Sabrina James?"
Sabrina thought she was dreaming, but when she turned around, she realized it was not a dream at all.
"Michael Conney?" she exclaimed, shocked to see him. Robin had just asked about him a few days ago.
Michael Conney no longer had the melancholic look he had in college, and it made him even more attractive.
"I didn’t expect you to still recognize me," he said, hugging her without permission. As they pulled away, they noticed two angry pairs of eyes glaring at them.
Robin arrived and was taken aback to see Sabrina embracing a man she had claimed to have not seen since college, which upset him.
Throughout their marriage, Sabrina had never given him a reason to be jealous, mainly because she rarely left the house.
Now, faced with these feelings after their divorce, Robin couldn’t help but feel strange.
When Sabrina noticed Robin, she quickly introduced the man,
"My King, meet Michael Conney." She turned to Michael and said, "Michael, meeting my..." Robin feared she would mention a fiancé, so he interjected,
"Husband. I’m Robin Jewel."
There was no warmth in Robin’s handshake with Michael, and Michael could sense his coldness.
However, Robin’s icy demeanor couldn’t dampen Michael’s joy at seeing Sabrina again after so many years.
"Nice to meet you," Michael said. "I’m just happy to see her again. Your wife saved my life years ago."
Robin’s eyes widened. "She did?" He wondered why Sabrina had lied about not hearing from Michael since college when it seemed he had always been around.
Robin made a mental note to ask her about it later as Michael began to explain everything.
"You see, my sister was killed right in front of me, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it," Michael’s expression turned sorrowful, and his eyes became glassy. But he forced a smile and continued,
"I carried the guilt and fell into a deep depression. I walked through college alone and lifeless. No one bothered to find out what was happening to me. The day I planned to end it all, she was there by my side."
Michael’s smile widened as he recalled that moment. "When she spoke to me, I felt serene and calm, and that was enough to give me hope."
"She never gave up on me, especially after I explained the reason for my sorrow to her. Not a single day went by in college without her checking on me and making sure I was okay. It meant the world to me."
"Her friendship gave me hope to keep going, and I always thought about her when I moved to Chicago after finishing my studies," Michael concluded, a smile on his face.
Robin felt a twinge of remorse for feeling so jealous without understanding the situation, but the question about Sabrina claiming not to know Michael’s whereabouts still lingered, so he asked,
"So how long have you been in Manhattan?"
Michael shrugged and pointed to a girl chatting with a group of friends.
Robin remembered they were Matilda’s school friends whom Devin had invited but warned them to keep it a secret.
When he spied on Matilda the last time, he felt certain that she wouldn’t mind his inviting her friends since she already told them about their relationship.
Devin also hoped it would deter Matilda’s friend from lusting after him, which turned out to be successful.
"This is my first time here. I came to surprise my girlfriend. She and the bride attend the same school. When I arrived without her knowledge, she was happy but also mentioned she was attending a wedding, so I followed her here, and seeing Sabrina, I’m glad I did."
Sabrina was overjoyed to see him alive and well, and she beamed, "I’m so happy to see you again. I thought you had died."
"Hahaha. I don’t think I’ll be dying anytime soon, especially since I never got the chance to properly thank you for being my only friend back in college," Michael said with a smile.
Robin understood that their meeting at the party was purely coincidental and internally cursed himself for being so jealous. Sabrina responded,
"I’m glad I could help."
Sabrina returned to her spot with Robin, and seeing Matilda so excited, she couldn’t help but feel happy for her best friend.
"How are you feeling now?" Sabrina teasingly asked Matilda, as Robin and Devin engaged in conversation.
"I’m better than ever, Sabrina. How long have you known? He never showed any signs, and I thought he had given up on me."
Sabrina chuckled and responded cautiously, "Now that you know he hasn’t given up on you, I hope you give him the happiness he deserves."
Matilda couldn’t stop smiling, her jaws aching from it as she replied,
"He’ll be the one telling me to slow down when he finds out how much I’ve changed for him. All I want now is to make him the happiest man on Earth."
Sabrina’s heart warmed as she said, "I’m so glad to hear that. Devin loves you so much, and he deserves your love too."
"Thank you for everything, Sabrina. I can see that you’re genuinely happy for me. And as your best friend, I’ve noticed it even when others might not have."
Sabrina frowned slightly, wondering what Matilda was talking about, as Matilda looked at her with a curious expression.
"Matilda, what are you talking about?"
"Sabrina, I know that you long to get married again. Will you reconsider the plan and get married sooner?" Sabrina stiffened at the question.
Chapter 362: Chapter 362 - I Cannot Betray My Best Friend
Sabrina contemplated the question with a heavy heart. She still loved Robin, but a small fear lingered within her, warning her that things might change after giving birth to their twins.
This fear prevented her from signing the marriage certificate once again. She knew that once she did, there would be no turning back, as Robin would never allow another divorce.
If Robin continued to be the person he had become, it would be good for her.
However, if he reverted back to his old ways, she would be burdened with that for the rest of her life.
After careful consideration, she responded to Matilda, who eagerly awaited her answer.
Now that she was pregnant and under Devin’s watchful eye, she knew she had to handle things differently to avoid arousing suspicion regarding the favor Sabrina had asked of her.
"I love him and I want to marry him again, but he has to pass the test."
"What test?" Robin asked from behind her. She stiffened, as did Matilda, realizing there was no way to escape this situation. However, they were both surprised when Sabrina responded honestly.
Sabrina turned to face Robin, holding his gaze as she spoke truthfully.
"It’s a test, so why should I tell you? Then it wouldn’t be a test anymore, right?" she rhetorically questioned. Robin felt helpless.
He couldn’t understand what kind of test the two women were referring to.
Nevertheless, he decided to discreetly ask Matilda about it. The opportunity presented itself when Sabrina engaged in a conversation with her father later on.
As they conversed with a few of Sabrina’s work subordinates, Robin took the chance to ask Matilda,
"Can you tell me what test she is talking about?" He didn’t expect Matilda to refuse, considering they had helped each other in the past.
However, Matilda knew that Robin had overheard their initial conversation and anticipated that he might ask. Although she wanted to assist him, she couldn’t betray Sabrina’s secret, especially when it involved testing their love.
"I’m sorry. I cannot betray my best friend."
Robin’s disappointment was evident as he pursed his lips, but then an idea struck him and he leaned in to speak to Devin in a hushed tone.
"Devin, can you find out more about this test they’re talking about? It’s making me really uncomfortable," Robin expressed his fear of not being able to pass Sabrina’s test, growing increasingly worried.
Devin shook his head and replied,
"Why do you think they would tell me? Even when she wanted to terminate our child, they kept it a secret. My friend, you need to find another solution."
Robin knew Devin was right. Matilda was much better at keeping secrets than Sabrina, especially if she knew Sabrina was correct.
Even in the past, when Matilda sought his help, she never directly revealed the secret but rather spoke in riddles.
However, when Matilda confided in Sabrina about the abortion, she shared it with him. But this time, since it concerned him, Robin was certain Sabrina wouldn’t tell him until the test was over.
After a long day of exhausting activities, Devin presented a few cards to Matilda when it was time for her to toss the bouquet.
She looked happier than he had ever seen her, and he hoped it would stay that way because he realized that pleasing women wasn’t as easy as it seemed.
"The wedding was a surprise, but I want you to choose a venue for our honeymoon," Devin said, handing her the pictures of various destinations.
Matilda browsed through the images, her face lighting up with a smile.
Devin had gone all out to select her favorite destinations, and she was torn between them.
"Bora Bora, Ibiza, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Amalfi Coast, Fiji, Maldives, and Bali," Matilda pondered.
After much consideration, Matilda settled on the Amalfi Coast due to its vibrant villages, pristine waters, and breathtaking coastline, making it a unique honeymoon destination in Italy.
"Good choice," Devin smirked.
It had been weeks since they had been intimate, and he was eagerly looking forward to that release.
As Matilda tossed the flower, hoping Sabrina would catch it, Lizzy ended up being the lucky girl.
Amidst the applause and joyful noise as the couple departed, Matilda couldn’t help but think of a way to show Devin just how much she loved him.
Despite everything she had done, he was still the one granting her wishes and making her happy, and she felt indebted to him.
Sabrina was exhausted by the time everything was over. For the past two weeks, she, Robin, Daniel, Lizzy, Devin, and their parents had been working tirelessly to make this surprise wedding a success after Devin informed them.
Upon arriving home, Sabrina was met with a pleasant surprise, but Robin had a deep frown on his face.
"Grandma, what a wonderful surprise," Sabrina exclaimed as she went to hug Cecilia and her caretaker. She was overjoyed to have the elderly woman in the villa, knowing that her experience would be greatly appreciated.
"Sabrina, how are you? Are you eating well? Are you exercising? I was worried when I arrived and was told that you weren’t at home," Cecilia bombarded Sabrina with questions, overwhelming her with care.
"We just got back from my brother’s wedding," Sabrina honestly replied, while Robin hesitantly approached Cecilia. Now that the older woman was here, he knew Sabrina wouldn’t have as much time for him as before.
"Welcome, grandma. I thought we were planning for the third trimester?" Robin forced a smile and asked.
Cecilia didn’t even notice the frown on his face because her attention was solely on Sabrina.
"That’s true, but she’s already six months pregnant, and the third trimester is just a week away," Cecilia glanced at Robin and noticed the shock on his face.
She quickly defended herself, saying, "Don’t look at me like that. I’ve been keeping track of the dates."
Both Robin and Sabrina’s hearts warmed at the way the elderly woman cared. Sabrina embraced her once more and said,
"Grandma, I’m so happy you’re here."
"I am too," the elderly woman replied, but as she looked at Sabrina critically, she couldn’t help but observe, "You look too tired. You should shower and get some rest if you’re not hungry."
"I’m not hungry. I already ate a lot, and thank you so much for coming," Sabrina said as she began to climb the stairs with Robin, since she was indeed tired.
A few days later, it was Monday morning, specifically dawn, and Robin was awakened by a call.
Looking at the caller ID, it was Aria. It was strange for her to call at such an early hour, but when he answered, his heart sank at the news he heard.
Chapter 363: Chapter 363 - My husband is shattered
"Mr. Jewel, I apologize for my absence from work for the next few weeks. I will send an email to HR, but I wanted to inform you first," Aria’s voice trembled, her attempt to hold back tears evident.
As someone who had always been cheerful, Robin could easily detect the change in her demeanor and sensed that something was wrong.
"What’s the matter?" Robin asked, his sleepiness dissipating. Aria rarely called him so early in the morning, and her inability to come to work raised his concern even more.
Aria hesitated for a moment before recounting the heartbreaking incident, her voice breaking as she spoke.
"Yesterday, I noticed that the baby wasn’t moving as usual, so I went to the hospital."
"And what happened?" Robin asked anxiously, fear clouding his eyes. Aria had struggled for years with fertility issues, so how could life be so cruel to her?
"My baby didn’t make it," Aria said, her words causing Robin to freeze on the line. He instinctively rubbed Sabrina’s pregnant belly, relieved to feel some movements.
"No," Robin whispered, his voice trembling with the weight of the news. Aria’s pain was unbearable, and he felt utterly helpless.
"I’m so sorry. I’ll meet you at the hospital," he finally managed to say, ending the call. This was the most difficult news he had ever received.
"What’s wrong?" Sabrina asked, her worry evident. Robin swallowed hard and revealed the devastating news.
"It’s Aria. Her baby didn’t survive."
"Oh no," Sabrina gasped, her face turning pale.
Robin placed his hand on her stomach again, feeling a slight movement, but his worry persisted.
"Do you think we should see a doctor?"
Sabrina shook her head, already guessing his reason for asking the question. It was obvious that Robin was afraid of losing his twins.
"You know that their kicks are hardest at night and sometimes in the afternoon. They might be sleeping now. No need for a doctor," Sabrina assured him.
That morning, there was no excitement between the couple, and even Sabrina did not have the appetite to eat.
It was good that Grandma was around; if not, she would have left on an empty stomach because of the heartbreaking news.
Grandma insisted on her having breakfast before going to work and had the chef package her lunch in a warmer.
Cecilia wanted Sabrina’s food to only come from the same source every time so that, should anything happen, it would be easy to detect the source.
The couple arrived at the hospital, and the sight of Aria’s husband was devastating. Robin did not even know how to comfort him.
He was crying like a baby, and after Sabrina located Aria’s ward, she was in an even worse state.
Sabrina sat there, not saying a word because she had never lost a child before and had no idea how it felt.
On their way to the hospital, Robin had even told her about Aria’s struggles with childbirth. Now, she had lost the baby at exactly seven months, which did not seem fair to Sabrina.
"Aria, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say. It’s alright for you to cry. I don’t think it will heal the pain, but it just expresses what you are going through. I’m so sorry that I can’t do anything to ease your pain, but I hope that it goes away. I hope that you don’t give up, and I hope that you try again..."
Aria was in a daze as Sabrina kept talking, feeling like Aria was not listening, but still, she didn’t stop trying.
She knew that what Aria was going through was unbearable and didn’t want to sit there doing nothing.
To her shock, Aria threw herself at her, tears pooling down her eyes, her words breaking Sabrina’s heart.
"Mrs. Jewel, you have no idea how it feels after trying for so long. How could life be so cruel? The doctor said it wasn’t my fault, but whose fault was it when the child was in my womb?" Aria was sobbing on Sabrina’s shoulders like a baby.
She thought that after they had waited for so long, they would finally have the happiness they deserved, but this happened, and she couldn’t take it.
She followed the doctor’s instructions diligently, taking her vitamins on time and attending her antenatal appointments regularly. So, how could this unfortunate situation be happening to her?
Sabrina embraced Aria, offering comfort and support. "If the doctor said it’s not your fault, then it’s not. We can’t control everything, but I truly believe that you will have more children in the future. Please don’t lose hope."
Aria shook her head, tears streaming down her face. This was the first time she had seen her husband so devastated.
"My husband is completely shattered. I don’t know how to console him. He has been incredibly patient, but I would understand if he decides to leave me. He deserves better."
Sabrina disagreed with Aria’s perspective. Life was not a smooth journey; it was filled with bumps and challenges. One had to be strong to face them.
"Don’t speak like that. These are difficult times, and your husband won’t leave you for something beyond your control."
Aria pulled away, continuing to cry.
"But it hurts me to see him like this. I had to send him out of the ward because I couldn’t bear the pain in his eyes," Aria confessed, and Sabrina couldn’t blame her.
Sometimes, we hide our own pain to see others happy, but if it doesn’t work, what else can we do?
"I believe he also can’t bear to see the pain in your eyes, but you both have to face this together. You will go home together and support each other. Aria, I truly believe that you will have more children. Please don’t lose hope."
Aria questioned in a daze, "Will my womb be able to handle it?" Sabrina nodded reassuringly.
If the doctor had confirmed that there was nothing wrong with Aria, then why couldn’t she?
"Yes, your womb will be able to handle it. You are strong, and don’t let this break you. As soon as you recover, start trying again," Sabrina encouraged, and Aria managed a smile through her tears.
"Thank you, Mrs. Jewel."
"Enough with the formalities, Aria. Call me Sabrina," Sabrina said tenderly, wiping away her tears. Aria smiled faintly and settled back onto the bed.
"Thank you."
Sabrina waited until Aria fell asleep before leaving the ward. Her eyes widened, and her heart warmed at the sight of what was happening in the waiting area.
Chapter 364: Chapter 364 – Robin’s partial solution to the problem.
"Hello, I hope you remember me. I came as soon as I heard the news. Ben, right?" Robin forced a smile and tried to remain strong for the man who appeared broken as he spoke.
Ben’s teary eyes brightened, and he rose from the chair he had been sitting on. He was timid and didn’t even dare to shake hands with Robin.
"Yes, you’re Aria’s boss. I know. I was at your wife’s birthday party," he lowered his head and said, blinking back his tears.
Aria must be incredibly fortunate to have her boss checking on her at the hospital. Ben had never witnessed such care from his previous employer before being fired.
Bosses rarely had time for their employees, and the best they would do was grant sick leave requested from the hospital.
"I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine my wife losing our child, so I understand how heavy this must be for you," Robin tried to console the man, wondering if his words were comforting or exacerbating the situation.
Ben forced a smile, and his words astonished Robin.
"It is, but I’m more concerned about my wife. We spent years without a child, and we were still happy. We were just happier with the news that our family was going to expand."
"Nevertheless, if we lose this child, it won’t be our fault, and we can only hope to try again. But she is so depressed, and I can’t comfort her."
Robin’s eyebrows raised. Although he remembered Aria talking about how her husband loved her through all their struggles, hearing it from the man himself made a significant difference.
"You are a very strong man, and I respect you for it. I don’t know where you find your strength," Robin said honestly.
He had failed in that aspect in his first marriage, and despite having a valid reason, he still felt ashamed whenever he thought about it.
"Mr. Jewel, I’m hurting so much, but it’s okay. I love my wife, and I’m grateful she survived. If I had lost her instead of the baby, I don’t think I would have been able to endure it. I can never love anyone the way I love her," he said sincerely, causing Robin’s jaw to almost drop.
This was the kind of love every man should have for their wives. Marriages wouldn’t be breaking apart due to infertility if men loved their wives in this way.
Ben’s words left Robin questioning himself repeatedly. Despite having everything, Robin couldn’t help but envy the love that Ben, who had nothing, possessed.
"I’ve been unemployed for years, yet she still treats me with love and respect. She never pressures me or says mean things about me. I had hoped that this child would bring us happiness, as I always feel depressed being alone at home, but we lost him," Ben said with a bitter smile, his eyes filled with tears. "I still have hope that we will have another one."
When the doctor delivered the news, Ben lacked the courage to call any of his family members.
Only Aria was able to contact her boss and explain her absence from work, making Robin and Sabrina the first to hear the devastating news.
"I’m so sorry, but how did you lose your job?" Robin asked, attempting to divert attention from the weighty news that seemed to question Robin’s integrity.
Sitting on a hospital bench, Ben and Robin sat side by side.
"A friend needed a reference for his new job, and I vouched for him. After a few months, he engaged in fraudulent activities, and I was arrested. Although I was acquitted, I was still fired from my job."
Robin frowned and shook his head. If Ben had been proven innocent, why would the company treat him so unfairly?
"That’s not fair. What are your qualifications, and do you want to work again?" Robin asked, his tone serious.
Knowing he couldn’t bring back their lost baby, Robin believed that if he could bring a little happiness to Ben, it might extend to Aria and give her hope for a faster recovery.
Aria had been the best secretary he had ever had, and he realized he had been selfish in not allowing her to be transferred to other departments, as they had done with other employees due to the company’s rotation policy.
However, he had always compensated her by giving her larger salary increases than the rest of the staff. Consequently, even though Aria was just a secretary, her salary was equal to that of the managers.
"I hold an MS in Business Analytics. I have applied to numerous companies and attended countless interviews, but the moment I mention the reason for losing my job, no one wants to hire me," Ben replied, shaking his head.
It was painful, but having Aria by his side throughout it all made it a little easier to bear than when he recounted the incident to Robin.
Robin took advantage of the opportunity to test Ben’s integrity, as he wanted to bend the rules for him. He asked,
"Why haven’t you considered embellishing your CV a little? Many people lie on their resumes, and once they prove themselves through their performance, the lies are often overlooked."
This indirect suggestion made it clear to Ben that Robin was encouraging him to lie in order to secure the job.
Ben understood this perfectly well, as many people would resort to such means to obtain employment.
"Mr. Jewel, I could never do that. I value honesty and would rather die for the truth than enjoy money gained through dishonest means," Ben responded truthfully. He then added, "I never expected my friend to do that, and although I don’t regret helping him, he passed away during the court proceedings due to a heart attack. So, I don’t know the whole truth."
Robin achieved his desired outcome and smiled. He didn’t want Ben to give up on doing good just because he had been burned by it, nor did he want him to compromise his honesty to secure a job. In this way, Ben indirectly passed his interview.
"After your wife is discharged, please send me your CV. I will have you assist one of my CEOs, who will train you to lead our new company," Robin revealed.
He needed more honest individuals in his company, and Ben was one of them.
However, this news was like a dream come true for Ben, as he had never imagined getting a job in such a prestigious organization, even as an officer.
"Mr. Jewel, are you certain about this? I don’t want to get my hopes up only to have them crushed in the end," he exclaimed honestly, his eyes wide with disbelief. Robin chuckled, pleased to have brought some joy into Ben’s life and dispelled the previous gloominess.
"I never go back on my word unless there is something you’re not telling me," Robin said seriously.
He wouldn’t be pleased if Ben was hiding anything important from him. However, Ben shook his head and honestly stated,
"Everything I’ve said is the truth. I can’t thank you enough for this kindness. Even smaller companies have refused to employ me, and now you want me to assist one of your CEOs in your prestigious establishment? Jewel Group is everyone’s dream, and even Aria admitted she wouldn’t want to work anywhere else."
Robin was delighted to be the one to offer Ben the redemption he needed. However, there was a potential issue. If Ben picked up things as quickly as Robin hoped and was promoted to CEO in Robin’s new company, the same companies that had rejected him might come after him to try and lure him back.
It had happened to some of his CEOs, they left and later regretted it but others refused to go.
Whereas the thing about Robin is, once you leave his company, he would never take you back.
"I will be waiting for your CV but what if those employees who rejected you before come back with enticing offers after your employment? What would you do?" Robin asked seriously.
Ben wiped a tear from his eyes and shook his head.
"Mr. Jewel, do you think I will return to my vomit after you have picked and cleaned me up? Even if they offer me the world, I would never leave," he vowed.
"Alright. I will be waiting," Robin said with satisfaction, when unexpectedly he was engulfed in a warm hug as Ben’s tears wet his clothes. He was no longer going to be the mockery of his peers.
So many years without a job and he was going to such a great height with a click of the finger.
Robin only hoped that this would bring some form of joy to the family once again, though it would not replace the pain of the loss of a child and hugged him back.
When his eyes met that of Sabrina’s shocked ones, he pulled away and asked, "How is Aria?"
"Sleeping," Sabrina smiled and said, still unable to recover from the shock. Ben excited eyes met that of Sabrina and he quickly said,
"Mrs. Jewel, you should thank your husband for me. He just gave me a job when I had even lost hope."
As the understanding of what Robin did sank in, Sabrina was shocked.
"You did?" She asked Robin. He was happy to see her like this and responded with a smile,
"Aria has been very diligent so why not?"
Sabrina was so delighted and hugged him, "I love you so much." She kissed him briefly on the lips.
Robin was happy to see her smile for the first time this morning, as Ben smiled and went to be by Aria’s side and to also share the good news when she wakes up.
Robin cupped Sabrina’s face in the palm of his hand and said,
"At least you can tell me what this test is all about." Robin took advantage and pushed his luck one more time.
Chapter 365: Chapter 365 – The Parcel
"Hahaha, Robin, just be yourself. You’re already passing the test," Sabrina laughed and said, while Robin simply shook his head.
It was even scarier the way she said it, but Robin was confident that if this was a test of love, he would win it this time, especially with all that he had learned from Ben so far.
On their way to the office, Sabrina received a call from Lizzy.
"Sabrina, I’m scared," Lizzy said as soon as Sabrina answered the call.
Sabrina frowned slightly and asked, "What’s the problem?" Sabrina panicked a little, but Lizzy’s response annoyed her.
"I took a pregnancy test and realized I’m not pregnant. I mean, we’ve been trying for at least two months. Don’t you think it’s weird? Our wedding is in two weeks, and I’m scared that I won’t be able to get pregnant," Lizzy said.
Sabrina found her words absurd and before she could respond, Lizzy continued, "I mean, like what happened between you and Robin. What if I can’t have a child for years? Do you think Daniel will leave me?"
Sabrina understood her sister’s fears but found them unnecessary, knowing that Daniel loved her unconditionally.
"Oh Lizzy, you won’t have a child just because you’re scared. Relax. Not even science can prove a hundred percent why a healthy couple might not be able to conceive. In your case, just relax and enjoy your relationship," Sabrina advised.
She remembered being so anxious when she got married, fearing that she wouldn’t conceive, which ended up happening.
"So, you mean he won’t leave me if I can’t have a child?" Lizzy asked again over the line.
Daniel had just dropped her off at the office, and his excitement about the upcoming wedding scared her. She feared she wouldn’t be able to meet his expectations.
"Why don’t you ask him about it?" Sabrina suggested.
She knew that whatever she said wouldn’t be convincing enough for her sister, as she wasn’t in Daniel’s shoes either.
"Devin is still away on his honeymoon. I would have preferred to pay Daniel a surprise visit in his office," Lizzy said thoughtfully.
"Why don’t you ask him to come visit you?" Sabrina inquired, aware that Daniel’s job allowed him to work remotely, unlike Lizzy.
However, Lizzy was plagued by her own insecurities. "I feel like it would be childish, but honestly, I don’t want to ask while I’m at his house. I’ve been so worried about it."
"Well, worrying will only make it worse. It creates problems that don’t even exist. Just be happy, Lizzy. Everyone is different," Sabrina advised over the phone.
"Thank you, Sabrina. I’ll ask him," Lizzy replied.
After ending the call, Lizzy dialed Daniel’s number. "Babe, we need to talk."
"Are you okay?" Daniel asked, concerned since he had just dropped her off less than ten minutes ago.
"I can’t say over the phone," Lizzy said. Daniel responded,
"Well then, I’m coming back."
Daniel hurried back to Lizzy’s office, and when she saw him, she apologized. "I’m sorry. I’m just scared."
"Scared of what?" Daniel wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to his chest protectively.
Lizzy feared that she might not be enough for him. "I mean, we’re getting married in two weeks, but what if we can’t have children after we’re married? We’ve been together for over two months now, and I’m still not pregnant."
Daniel laughed and gazed at her adoringly. "Sweetie, not every couple is meant to have children. I love kids, and I want us to have as many as we can, but if it doesn’t happen, there are other options. You don’t have to worry about it."
But Lizzy vigorously shook her head. "But it wouldn’t be fair. I’ll be called barren, and what if you stop loving me? Don’t you think we should hold off on getting married until I get pregnant?"
Daniel shook his head this time, looking at her with love in his eyes. "Lizzy, I never even wanted to have sex with you before marriage. I’ve told you before what my mother said, that marriage is the only institution where you get your certificate before starting your exams."
He gently brushed strands of blonde hair away from her face, tucking them behind her ears.
"What matters most is our happiness. We should never let other people’s opinions affect our marriage, do you understand?" Daniel asked, his tone serious.
Lizzy nodded, but then shook her head again before speaking. "Yes, but what if..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Daniel’s lips engulfed hers in a passionate kiss. After breaking away, he spoke lovingly,
"No ’what ifs.’ I want us to get married because the only time I ever considered marriage was when I met you."
Overwhelmed by the love he showered upon her, Lizzy buried her head in his chest, feeling unworthy of such affection.
"Oh, Dan, I love you so much. Let’s get married."
Two weeks later, on the day before Daniel and Lizzy’s wedding which was a Friday, Robin heard a knock on his office door.
It was his third temporary secretary in just two weeks, and she held a box in her hands.
His previous secretaries had either been fired or transferred to other departments due to various reasons, ranging from inappropriate attire to flirtatious behavior or lack of competence.
Robin was struggling to adjust to Aria’s absence, but she had called recently to inform him that she was recovering well and would return to work in a week or two, which brought him some relief.
Aria’s husband had also submitted his application and would start working once Aria felt better.
"What’s that?" Robin glared at the box in the secretary’s hands and asked. She stammered slightly before responding,
"A man asked me to give it to you."
One of Robin’s bodyguards stood nearby, waiting for Robin’s authorization to open the box.
However, Robin instructed the secretary, "Open it. And why didn’t you let him deliver it himself? Or why didn’t you ask the bodyguards to handle it?"
He didn’t appreciate her barging into his office, and he knew the bodyguards would have taken various precautions, including assessing the appearance of the person delivering the package.
"I’m sorry, but I thought it was my responsibility," she muttered. Robin ignored her unnecessary apology and asked sternly,
"What’s inside?"
She opened the large box and seemed disappointed. "Just a note," she said.
Robin furrowed his brow, finding it peculiar for someone to place a note in such a big box.
"Read it," he commanded. The secretary complied.
"If you want your ex-sister-in-law and your best friend to get married tomorrow, then you should bring your ex-wife to the location specified behind this note, ALONE."