Chapter 19: She Is Pregnant

Outside the window, the wind howled fiercely. Cecilia placed her pale, slender hand on her lower abdomen, her gaze vacant. Calvin had told her the doctor’s diagnosis: she was pregnant. This child couldn't have arrived at a worse time.

Martha observed Cecilia, whose eyes were hollow, devoid of any life. She steeled herself. "Ceci."

Cecilia slowly turned, her return to awareness taking considerable time. "Martha."

Martha's eyes were red-rimmed. Her wrinkled hand gently brushed stray hairs from Cecilia's temple. "Ceci, I have no children of my own. I've always treated you as my daughter. I don't desire riches or power for you, only a healthy life. If my daughter wishes to die, how can a mother live?"

Cecilia's eyes narrowed as Martha picked up a fruit knife. "I cared for you until you were ten. After that, I failed you; that was my fault. Now, I'll apologize to Mr. Smith…" Martha began to slice her wrist.

Cecilia, startled, struggled to stop her, but her weakness rendered her immobile. "Martha, don't…"

Martha continued. As Cecilia watched the blood flow, tears streamed down her face. "I won't do anything foolish again, I won't! Martha, please…"

Hearing Cecilia's promise, Martha stopped. Her eyes were bloodshot. "Ceci, you've repaid your debt for being born. We owe Paula and Nathaniel nothing! From now on, live for those who love you—for me, and for the child within you!"

Cecilia resolved to heed Martha's words, to live for her and the child. Paula was no longer her mother, nor Nathaniel her brother. Her only family was Martha and the unborn child.

Martha hadn't intended such drastic measures, but she wanted Cecilia to live. Cecilia had no say in her birth, yet she carried the so-called "debt" of her existence. How could a mother demand her daughter repay with her life?

During her hospital stay, Calvin informed Cecilia that Paula had fled abroad. Cecilia felt no sadness. As with Nathaniel, she considered the debt settled. They were even.

Cecilia didn't want Nathaniel to know about the child, an accidental conception. She knew his dislike for her; he wouldn't want the child.

After three days, Cecilia was discharged. She asked Martha to go home, intending to settle things with Nathaniel before joining her in the countryside.

On her departure, Zachary Sinclair, unexpectedly, saw Cecilia with Calvin. "Cecilia! Wasn't she missing?" Cecilia and Nathaniel's divorce had been finalized on the fifteenth, but she had vanished for three days. "Why is she at the hospital?"

Intrigued, the hospital director ordered an investigation. Half an hour later, Zachary received Cecilia's records, leaving him shocked. Sleeping pills, a suicide attempt, and pregnancy—all while divorcing Nathaniel?

"Are you sure this is Cecilia's diagnosis?" Zachary asked.

The staff member confirmed it. Images of Cecilia leaving the hospital with an unfamiliar man flashed through Zachary's mind. His coldness intensified. He had underestimated this "little deaf girl."

Unsure of the child's father, Zachary hesitated before telling Nathaniel. Instead, he called Stella, informing her of the situation. He felt he owed Stella; alone, she needed his help.