Chapter 3
759words
Grandma and Sophia—of course.
The old woman sat in her armchair, chatting animatedly with Sophia, showing no signs of any heart trouble.
When she spotted me, her smile evaporated.
"Grandma!" Alex rushed forward. "How are you feeling? Should we take you to the hospital?"
The old lady patted his hand. "Nothing serious, dear. Just a little discomfort. Seeing you makes me feel better already."
Her gaze slid past Alex and landed on me. "Emma is here too."
"Good evening, Mrs. Reed," I said coolly.
I never called her "Grandma"—she had never earned that title from me.
"You could have stayed home to rest," she said with mock concern. "Alex mentioned you had some... hallucinations yesterday?"
I felt Alex tense beside me.
He'd told her about the kidnapping—and labeled it my "hallucination."
"It wasn't an illusion, Mrs. Reed," I said evenly. "I was kidnapped."
An uncomfortable silence blanketed the room.
See? No one would believe me.
Alex cleared his throat. "Have you taken your medicine, Grandma?"
The old lady waved dismissively. "Alex, go to the kitchen for my medicine. Parker knows which one."
The moment Alex left, her expression turned glacial. "What game are you playing, Emma? Alex is exhausted because of you, and now you're lying to him?"
"Don't get upset, Grandma. Mind your heart condition," I said sweetly.
"Drop the act," she sneered. "We both know why you're here. You're afraid to leave Sophia alone with Alex."
Sophia lowered her head in feigned embarrassment. "Grandma, please don't..."
"Am I wrong?" The old lady looked at her adoringly. "You and Alex grew up together. You should be his wife."
I laughed coldly. "Perhaps you should ask Alex if he wants to marry her."
Her expression darkened with rage.
Sophia's face paled, tears welling in her eyes on cue.
"People without parents truly have no manners."
The words cut deep. My parents were my one vulnerability—they had been close friends with Alex's parents.
When I was eighteen, my parents died saving Alex's parents.
Their sacrifice had become ammunition for her cruelty.
She always knew exactly where to strike.
Before, I'd silently endured her jabs about my "pitiful" background. But today, something had snapped.
"Yes, I don't have parents," I replied with steel in my voice. "But that doesn't mean I'll tolerate disrespect."
The old lady clearly hadn't expected resistance. She narrowed her eyes. "What did you say?"
"I said I won't tolerate disrespect, regardless of who it comes from." I stared directly into her eyes.
"How dare you!" The old lady's voice rose. "Is this how you address your elders? I am Alex's grandmother!"
Just then, Alex hurried back, drawn by the raised voices—
"What's going on?"
I smiled thinly. "Nothing much. Mrs. Reed just mentioned how my lack of parents means I have no manners."
Alex's expression hardened instantly. He knew this was my one untouchable subject.
"Grandmother, how could you say something like—"
Before Alex could finish, Sophia suddenly clutched her stomach with a theatrical groan. "Ah... it hurts..."
The old lady immediately shifted focus. "Sophia, what's wrong?"
Sophia's face contorted in "pain." "My... my stomach... it hurts so badly..."
"Quick! Alex, take her to the hospital!"
I watched coldly as Alex scooped her into his arms without hesitation.
"I'll get you to the hospital."
The old lady stood shakily. "I'm coming too."
The three rushed toward the door, my presence forgotten. Only at the threshold did Alex suddenly remember me. "Emma, you..."
"I'll find my own way back," I said flatly.
He nodded, his eyes showing brief apology but far more concern—for Sophia. "I'll call you later."
The door closed, leaving me alone in the silent room. I stood there for a long moment before walking out.
I declined the butler's offer to call a car and drove away myself.
In the car, I noticed a dull ache in my abdomen and a slight dizziness.
I'd felt unwell during the confrontation, but adrenaline had masked it. Now, alone, the discomfort intensified.
Instead of going home, I drove to a nearby hospital. It was probably just stress, but I didn't want to take chances.
The emergency room wasn't busy. The doctor on duty, a kind middle-aged woman named Dr. Wilson, saw me quickly.
"Your blood pressure is elevated," she said after examining me. "We should run some tests."
An hour later, Dr. Wilson returned with results and a smile. "Mrs. Hayes, congratulations. You're pregnant—about six weeks along."
I stood frozen, the news not fully registering.
Pregnant?
