Chapter 134
Shepard’s grip on his phone tightened slightly.
Briana also heard Vivian’s words.
They both knew exactly what being in the OB–GYN implied.
For the first time in a while, a flicker of unease appeared on Shepard’s face.
He had always been so steady, never losing his cool even in the worst company crises. He never panicked.
However, now, he was flustered, tense, completely at a loss.
“Okay.” It took him a long moment to force the word out.
“I’ll be waiting for you, Shep,” Vivian said softly.
After hanging up, Shepard looked over at Briana without thinking. Just for a second, then he quickly looked away.
Now it
was
his
turn to avoid Briana’s gaze.
He said, “I need to go. I’ve got something to handle.”
Briana nodded. “Go on.”
He nodded and turned to leave.
“Don’t keep Vivian waiting,” Briana called out, watching him go. She probably needs you more than ever right now.”
Shepard stopped in his tracks. He just stood there, back to her, not turning around.
He knew she heard that.
Shepard hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “Maybe she’s just feeling a bit off.”
“What kind of ‘feeling a bit off‘ makes you go to the OB–GYN?” Briana pressed.
Shepard couldn’t come up with an answer.
“Vivian is pregnant, isn’t she?” Briana said bluntly. “Guess you’rebout to be a dad, Shepard.”
Shepard’s lips twitched, then he stayed silent.
He strode off without looking back,
Briana stood there, watching him walk away.
She remembered clearly how Vivian had come to her and show off the night she and Shepard had shared. She also remembered how Shepard had always cared about Vivian over the years.
What she would never forget was just how cruel Shepard had been to her.
The wounds Shepard inflicted were vivid in Briana’s mind. She could not forget, and she never would.
She thought, ‘Shepard always treated me however he wanted. What did he think I am?‘
“My resolve to get a divorce has never wavered,” Briana murmured to herself. “If Vivian is pregnant, that’s actually good
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Chapter 18s
news for me it just makes my divorce even more likely
She smiled lightly However, when the truth of that fire comes to light, will this child even save Vivian?
Briana’s gaze turned steely. “No. Vivian has to pay for what she come?
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Shepard rushed to the OB–GYN and saw Vivian sitting there, clutching her test report.
When she saw him, she slowly got to her feet, smiling Shep, you’re finally here?
To the checkup done? Shepard asked.
“Yeah, I’m just waiting to see the doctor, Vivian replied.
Shepard glanced at the report in her hand, but didn’t reach for it
Vivian said, “Shep, I know you’ve been so busy lately, so I didn’t want to bother you. I came here myself for the checkup.”
Shepard asked, “What’s wrong? Is it an irregular period?
“Yeah, Vivian replied.
Shepard couldn’t help but feel relieved.
However, the next second, Vivian said, “My period has been late for days, and I’ve been extremely tired lately. I took a pregnancy test at home, and it was positive, so I went here to get it confirmed.”
Shepard pressed his lips tight.
Just then, it was Vivian’s turn. She pushed the door open and walked in, with Shepard following right behind her.
The doctor glanced at Vivian’s report and said with certainty, “You’re pregnant.”
Then she looked over at Shepard. “Is this your husband or boyfriend? Are you planning to keep the baby?”
Vivian stayed silent, and so did Shepard.
The doctor continued, “If you don’t want the baby, you should get an abortion as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more harm it does to your body. And if you want to keep it, you can start from now on.”
I want to keep the baby, Vivian said, her voice soft but determined. “What about you, Shep?”
Shepard remained silent.
After a moment, the doctor pushed up her glasses. “You can take some time to think it over.”
Vivian nodded. “Okay, thank you!
Shepard walked ahead in the hospital corridor, with Vivian following close behind. It wasn’t until they left the hospital that Shepard finally stopped.
He frowned deeply, looking serious. As he turned, intending to speak to Vivian, he looked up and realized her face was already streaked with tears.
Her eyes were red and tearful, and she looked both hurt and sad
Shepard suddenly forgot what he was about to say.
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Chapter 134
Vivian said, voice trembling. Shep, you don’t want the child, do you?”
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Before Shepard could get a word out, Vivian rushed on, her words tumbling out in desperation. “Then just act like I’m not pregnant, and this child isn’t yours. I’ll have it and raise it on my own. I won’t tell anyone who the father is
Tears rolled down Vivian’s checks, her sobs making her words shaky and broken. ‘Shep, you have no idea how happy I was when I found out.
“I love you. I want to have your child and have something that would really connect us, even if I’m never your wife. I know your family never accepted me, and it feels like you’re starting to care about Briana again.
You’ve known her for twenty years, and you were married for five. How could I ever compete with her? Maybe I should have stepped back at the very beginning.”
Vivian was so choked up that she couldn’t even get the words out Her head hung low, hair falling over her face, shoulders shaking as she sobbed, completely falling apart.
Shepard lifted his hand slowly, then let it drop.
Seeing this, Vivian stepped forward and threw herself into his arms.
She said, “Shep, let’s just break up. I’ll completely disappear from your life. You won’t have to worry about me anymore or stress over what to do with me. I’ll never show up again.
“I have just one condition. I’m going to keep this baby. I’ll be a single mom and raise him on my own. I swear I’ll never let this child interfere with your life or ask you for anything.”
Her tears soaked through Shepard’s shirt.
He could feel the moist warmth seeping through the fabric, pressing against his skin.
Vivian hugged him tightly, then stepped back, gave him one last tearful look, and turned to leave.
She started counting down in her mind. Before she could even get to one, someone grabbed her wrist.
Shepard caught up, pulling her back.
She’d seen it coming. She knew there was no way Shepard would just let her go.
“We only slept once,” Shepard said, grabbing Vivian by the shoulders, frowning. “Just that one time.”
Vivian said, her voice trembling, “Yeah, Shep, you were wasted, and then we-”
“Only one time, and you got pregnant, huh?” Shepard blurted out, clearly not buying it.
AD
