Miley froze, stunned by Stella’s plea. She recalled the things Stella had once shared about Matthew’s views on children, and a pang of concern gripped her chest. “Are you worried Matthew won’t want this baby?”
Stella hesitated, first shaking her head but then nodding faintly. The conflicting response only deepened Miley’s confusion.
With a weary sigh, Stella finally spoke, her voice soft but filled with despair. “Matthew still hasn’t regained his memory, and our relationship is already hanging by a thread. This baby… it couldn’t have come at a worse time. And to make things worse, someone’s been targeting me recently. We still haven’t caught the real culprit. If news of my pregnancy gets out, both the baby and I could be in serious danger.”
Miley’s chest tightened as she listened. Her eyes reddened with unshed tears, and she murmured, “You’ve been through so much already. Why does everything have to happen to you?”
Stella offered a faint smile, her voice gentle as she tried to comfort Miley. “It’s alright, Miley. Don’t worry. This will pass.”
Miley wiped the tears from her eyes and pressed again, concern evident in her tone. “Are you absolutely sure you don’t want to tell your mom?”
Stella remained quiet for a moment, thinking it over before shaking her head firmly. “My mom is already worn out from worrying about me. If she finds out I’m pregnant, she’ll drop everything to take care of me. Her health isn’t great as it is, and I don’t think she could handle the strain.”
Miley nodded, her expression resolute. “Alright, I understand. Don’t worry-I’ll take care of you and the baby. I promise, this will stay a secret. Nobody will find out.”
Stella’s eyes shimmered with gratitude as she looked at Miley. “Thank you, Miley. I mean it. Thank you for everything.”
Miley waved her hand dismissively, a small smile breaking through her worry. “What are you thanking me for? We’re friends-there’s no need for that.”
She hesitated before adding, “Oh, by the way, I ran into Cordell outside. I made up a story about being here with a company model and asked him to keep it confidential. Just wanted to let you know, so you’re aware.”
Miley’s face was etched with worry as she said, “I’m really concerned. This hospital isn’t that big. What if we run into Cordell again? If that happens, I don’t think we’d be able to keep this under wraps. Think about it. If Cordell gets even the slightest suspicion, he could just ask a nurse or doctor and find out who’s been admitted. It wouldn’t take much.”
Stella, lying in the bed with her complexion still pale, mustered a faint but reassuring smile. “Don’t stress about it, Miley. If worse comes to worst, we’ll deal with it then. There’s no point in worrying yourself sick-it’ll only wear you out.”
Miley’s heart ached as she looked at Stella, her exhaustion painfully evident.
Knowing Stella needed rest, she decided not to say anything else that might upset her.
Instead, she gently patted Stella’s hand and said, “Alright, you get some rest. I’ll go home and make some soup for you-something nutritious to help you recover. I’ll be back later to keep you company.”
Stella nodded weakly, her voice barely audible. “Thank you, Miley. Please, be careful on your way,” she whispered, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.
Miley cast one last concerned glance at Stella, her heart tightening with worry. With a quiet sigh, she turned and left the hospital, determined to do whatever she could to help.
When she arrived home, she wasted no time heading into the kitchen.
Rolling up her sleeves, she methodically began preparing the ingredients for the soup.
She was in the middle of stirring the pot when a sudden commotion at the door startled her. Before she could react, Neville burst in, his energy filling the room.
“Miley!” he exclaimed, rushing over. Without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms and spun her around in circles. “Oh my god, babe, I’m so happy!” he said, his voice full of excitement.
He was as thrilled as if he had just hit the jackpot, his over-the-top excitement leaving Miley completely stunned.
Struggling to free herself, she shouted, “Neville! Put me down! Have you lost your mind? Why aren’t you at work right now? What are you even doing here?”
Neville, still caught up in his enthusiasm, finally snapped out of it and carefully set her down on the couch. But before Miley could say another word, he reached out to touch her stomach.
Thrown off by his bizarre behavior, Miley instinctively slapped his hand away and glared at him. “What on earth are you doing? What’s gotten into you?”
Neville, however, looked completely serious. “Babe, I’m going to start planning our wedding right now. I want you to walk down the aisle in the most beautiful gown before you start showing. You deserve a wedding to remember.”
His tone softened as he looked at her with genuine concern. “Are you feeling alright? Do you need anything? I can’t believe I was so careless. I should’ve noticed something this important.”
Miley stared at him, utterly baffled. It took her a moment to process his words before she finally asked, “Wait a second.. Did Cordell call you? Did he tell you I’m pregnant?”
Neville shook his head and quickly clarified, “Cordell mentioned seeing you at the obstetrics and genecology department earlier today. He said you looked tense and told me to keep a closer eye on you. Since he knows Stella, your best friend, isn’t pregnant, he jumped to the conclusion that it must’ve been you visiting the department.”
Miley stared at him, torn between disbelief and frustration. A wry smile tugged at her lips as she said, “What kind of logic is that? He just assumed I’m pregnant out of thin air?”
Neville frowned, his expression clouded with genuine confusion. “Wait… are you telling me you’re not pregnant?”