The melodic ringtone played once before the call was answered.

“Hello?” Celine’s clear voice came through.

“Celine, I first wanted to thank you. Thanks to you, we managed to catch Lake Dr. C. We’re doing everything we can to recover him, but we still appreciate your help.”

At that moment, Celine was at Jupiter Heights. She hadn’t been going out much these past few days, spending most of her time sleeping. For some reason, she had been feeling unusually drowsy lately.

Upon hearing Carly’s words, Celine arched an eyebrow. “Carly, let’s not play games; just say what you really want. Carly thanking me? That’s about as likely as pigs flying.”

Carly chuckled. “Celine, I had a heart attack today. I passed out and was rushed to the hospital. No matter what, we’re still sisters. Won’t you come visit me?”

Celine replied, “If my presence could cure you, what would be the point of doctors?”

Carly was speechless. That sharp-tongued Celine. Carly was itching to shut her up for good, but she forced down her anger. There was no need to rush; she had plenty of time. The game had already begun.

Carly said, “Here’s the thing. Adam has been helping me find a compatible heart donor, and guess what? He finally found one. The person is someone you know quite well. Come over, and I’ll tell you everything.”

Celine wasn’t sure what Carly was up to, but she would find out if she went to meet her. Ever since learning that the Tates were responsible for Aaron’s death, she had been waiting for them to come knocking.

Celine replied with a smirk, “Alright, wait for me. I’ll be there soon.”

After hanging up, Celine took a sip of warm water. Just then, a sour sensation welled up from her stomach. Before she could react, she bent over and retched, though she hadn’t even eaten anything. Her body convulsed in dry heaves, the bitterness of bile burning her throat.

Celine went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. As she rinsed her mouth, something suddenly clicked. She realized that she hadn’t had her period yet. It was ten days late. She had been so busy since returning from Maryland that she hadn’t even thought about it.

Celine considered a possibility and, without hesitation, took a pregnancy test. Her delicate face drained of color as the result appeared. She was pregnant.

Then, the night with Adam flashed back. He hadn’t used protection, and she had planned to take the morning-after pill the next day. However, Adam filed for divorce the next day. After coming back from City Hall, she fell seriously ill and spent an entire week in a daze, burning with a fever, before finally recovering. In all that turmoil, she had completely forgotten to take the pill. She was now ten days pregnant.

Celine’s mind reeled in a whirlwind of confusion. Everything went blank, and for a moment, she couldn’t think at all. For the duration of their marriage, she and Adam had completely severed their ties; she had never imagined she would end up carrying his child. She couldn’t believe she was actually pregnant after the divorce. It felt like a cruel joke played on her by fate.

Celine placed a hand on her stomach. Was she really carrying Adam’s child?

She sat on the couch for a long time, lost in thought. Afterward, she stood up and prepared to go to the hospital. She needed to figure out what to do about the pregnancy, but for now, she had to see Carly.