Chapter 114
When I opened the door, Stella was looking at me, “Is your stomach bothering you?”
“Yeah. Probably ate too much last night” I replied in my pajamas, Tim going to go to my room and sleep”
Then I hurried back to my room, stripped off my pajamas, and crawled under the covers.
I didn’t turn off the lights, just stared blankly at the window.
What should I do next?
If I told Neil that I was pregnant, our relationship might descend into chaos again. Especially his parents. They’re so eager for a grandchild, they’d definitely come looking for me once they found out.
But if I didn’t tell Neil, what was I supposed to do with this baby? Should I give birth alone, be a single mother, or should I go to the hospital….
1 never knew maternal love could come so swiftly. The moment I knew I had a baby in my belly, I almost immediately felt like a mother.
The thought of getting an abortion in the hospital made my heart ache.
Lost in thought, I fell asleep. The next day, I had to go to work, so I didn’t see Stella and Barbara off to the airport or wake them up.
After working for a bit, I got a message from Barbara: Rena, we’re heading back. Make sure you come back for Stella’s wedding once the date’s set!
I immediately replied. Absolutely! Have a safe trip.
With Stella and Barbara gone, I felt a pang of sadness I couldn’t explain. Even with Harold’s family around, I couldn’t shake off the melancholy, I even felt like crying.
The emotion suddenly became uncontrollable. I had to go to the bathroom and cry. As I was letting out my emotions in the bathroom, Neil called.
I rejected the call.
He stubbornly kept calling. By the fifth ring, I sniffled, picked up the phone, but didn’t say anything.
I’m back Neil said.
“Oh.” I replied briefly, trying not to let him notice anything off in my voice.
“Goodbye” He paused, speaking just as briefly.
I promptly hung up, then wiped my tears with a tissue. I thought, Neil must’ve wanted to say something to me, but didn’t know how to start, so he ended up saying nothing.
With Bonnie settled here, he could go back. There were too many things to handle at the company, he couldn’t stay here indefinitely.
After leaving the bathroom, I calmly went back to work.
Three days later, Stella called to tell me her wedding date was set for early next month.
I did the math. That’s only a week from today.
“We didn’t want to rush either. Didn’t have enough time to properly choose a venue or a wedding dress. I had my eyes on this dress, thought I’d definitely wear it for my wedding. But when I asked, I found out it was handmade and needed to be ordered half a year in advance. By then, my belly would be too big, how will I wear it?. So irritating” Stella complained, but there was happiness in her voice.
“Did you find a good one now?” I asked.
“I found a ready–made wedding dress. Cost a pretty penny! Haha, I’m not saving him any money” Stella laughed, “Anyway, he said he’d listen to me.”
I sighed, “Who would’ve thought, Barbara broke up, I got divorced, Alicia’s still single, but you’re getting married and having a baby.”
Stella was even a bit impressed with herself, “Guess it was a bold gamble!”
I’d gambled too, but I lost. So did Barbara.
Stella was different from us. She and Mitch were a match in family background and emotional experiences. Most importantly, they loved each other.
We chatted for a long time before hanging up.
I saw that it was already dark outside, so I cooked some pasta, just to have something to eat.
I’ve had a good appetite these past few days, but I can’t eat seafood, it just made me want to throw up. Other than that, I felt the same as before.
Since I’ll be going back home for Stella’s wedding in a week, I need to plan my work ahead of time and ask for leave.
After I told Orlando about this, he said, “There happens to be a company we’re partnering with in our home country. In a week, we need to send someone to negotiate with them. If it goes well, we’ll sign the contract right away. Why don’t you give it a shot?”
“Me alone?” I was a bit surprised.
“And your colleagues, of course. I’ll send Linda with you. She came over from the headquarters with me, she’s very capable” Orlando replied
“Okay. I’ll do my best to complete the task!” I didn’t hesitate. This was a great opportunity to exercise.
Plus, it would be at home. If I really can’t handle the task, I can always ask my parents for help.
Since Stella really wanted me as her bridesmaid, I needed to go back two days early to try on the bridesmaid dress.
I was initially against it. How could a divorced woman be a bridesmaid?
But Stella told me, Neil hadn’t announced the divorce publicly Besides a few close friends, no one else knew.
But it still feels off!” Even as I was trying on the bridesmaid dress, I felt something was not right.
I was mainly worried about Stella being ridiculed.
“Leave them alone! It’s my wedding, will be in charge!” Stella didn’t care, “If anyone says anything about you, I’ll slap them!”
Barbara and Alicia also told me not to overthink it. They took me to the mirror. The blue bridesmaid dress was gorgeous, simple yet elegant, and of high quality.
The next day was Stella’s wedding She was busy, so Barbara, Alicia and I tried our best to lighten her load.
Her wedding with Mitch was obviously attended by many important figures. The venue was a manor in Rosemont Stella originally wanted to find a luxurious castle abroad, but her physical condition didn’t allow for long travels.
After the wedding ceremony. I was feeling tired and really wanted to sleep.
After taking pictures with her, I sneaked into a room to rest. But as soon as I opened the door, I was hit by a wave of smoke. It choked me and I coughed
several times.
“Neil?” I was surprised to see him standing by the window. What was he doing here?
Neil was also surprised to see me here, “Why aren’t you with Stella?”
I covered my mouth and nose. His smoke was making my stomach churn. I didn’t dare to speak, just frowned.
After a few seconds of endurance, I couldn’t take it anymore. I saw a bathroom in the room and without thinking. I bolted for it and started throwing up.
Because I was in such a hurry, I didn’t lock the bathroom door. Neil pushed the door open. Watching me puke, he frowned and asked, “What’s wrong? Stomachache?”
“Yeah…” Wiping my mouth casually, I responded, “I didn’t sleep well last night, skipped breakfast too. I ate too much in one go just now, so my stomach
can’t take it.”
Right after I finished talking, I felt nauseous again and couldn’t help but throw up one more time. I felt weak all over.
