Chapter 443


    As she spoke, indignant tears began rolling down her cheeks.


    They fell noiselessly. Her forlornness made her look as if she had been cast aside by the world.


    It was a tactic she often used when she wanted something. Although she had used it dozens of times,


    it remained effective against ire, who would do anything to satisfy her at the first sign of tears.


    This time, however, ire sighed heavily.


    Grabbing a piece of tissue, she wiped her daughter''s tears kindly. “Trust me, Nickie. You have no future


    with Cayden, and it''s immoral to steal somebody else''s man. Life is short, and finding someone who


    loves you is your utmost priority. You may not understand it now, but you will. Good girl, don''t overthink


    it. I''ll make you some ribs.”


    Nicole''s heart turned cold.


    She could not believe that her previously infallible gambit had ceased to work. Her tears stopped


    falling.


    Nicole''s cold re wasced with ayer of resentment.


    She ims to love me, but she won''t even help me get the man I desire. A mixture of frustration,


    indignity, mncholy, and grief swirled within her.


    I knew it. She isn''t my birth mother. She won''t even help fight for my happiness.


    At that moment, all traces of ire''s love vanished from Nicole''s memory as her resentment toward the


    former grew. Even the anger toward Avery she projected onto ire.


    In a sh of rage, Nicole saw Avery''s face in the lettuce she held, and her eyes seared with hatred.


    She recklessly plucked the leaves, turning the lettuce into shredded fragments.


    Cayden is mine, Avery. Nobody can have him!


    Upon noticing Nicole''s restlessness and the fate of the poor head of lettuce in her hands, ire pushed


    Nicole out of the kitchen with a sad shake of her head. “I can handle the cooking, Nickie. Go get some


    rest.”


    Nicole did not bother with her charade any longer. Murmuring an excuse of returning to her room to


    peruse her script, she left.


    ire gazed at the pathetic remnants of the lettuce in the basin and sighed helplessly.


    Nickie would do anything except cook. This is probably the first time she helped in the kitchen. I have


    spoiled her, but she''s the only child I have. I would do everything for her.


    Upon returning home, Cayden retired to his study for work while Avery tucked herself into bed for some


    rest after a quick wash-up.


    Although her body ached with exhaustion, she was, for some reason, not sleepy at all.


    Perhaps she was too excited about the fact that she would be getting married on the first of May.


    Avery located her three-person chat group on WhatsApp and began writing to Cecelia and Nina.


    Unsure if they were online, she began with a message to the group: I have some good news, girls. I''m


    getting married on the first of May!


    Avery''s news struck her friends with the force of a bomb. The quiet group instantly livened up.


    Cecelia was the first toe online. She wrote: My God, that''s quick! Did Mr. Moore propose to you,


    Ery?


    Nina followed up: Oh my goodness, that''s wonderful! I''m just sorry that I missed witnessing Mr. Moore''s


    proposal. You must let me be your bridesmaid, Ery. I will witness you tying the knot.


    Before Avery could reply, Cecelia sent another message: I''m guessing it''s that quick because


    something is up with Ery. Am I right? Be honest with us. Are you and Mr. Moore having a shotgun


    wedding?


    Avery was rendered speechless.


    Do you have to be so sharp, Cecelia?


    Instead of responding to Cecelia''s question, she sent them a voice message. “Cecelia, Nina, will you


    both be my bridesmaids?”


    Cecelia sent an aggrieved-looking emoji before replying with a voice message. “Oh, Ery, I will be at


    your wedding, but wouldn''t it be improper for me to be a bridesmaid? I''m pregnant, you know. It would


    be humiliating if I couldn''t even fit into the bridesmaid dress!”


    Nina replied, “You could just wear an extrarge dress, then, Cecelia. I saw arge girl getting married


    at the church the other day, and you''re half her size. Don''t worry.”


    All three members of the WhatsApp group chat basked in the happiness of one another.


    The trio chatted until Cecelia announced, “Forgive me, girls. I''m at a baby''s clothing store shopping for


    clothes for my future child. We''ll talk again soon! Come visit me when you have the time, Ery.”


    Standing in a branded clothing store for toddlers, Cecelia slipped her phone into her pocket. The


    radiant smile on her lips made it seem as if she was the one getting married.


    Admiring her radiant smile, the retail assistants assumed she was messaging her husband.


    One young salesgirl gushed, “Are you texting your husband, Miss? What a lovely rtionship you


    share!”


    With a slight jolt, Cecelia surmised that the girl had misunderstood, but she did not offer any


    exnation for fear of further confusing the matter.


    Instead, she asked merrily, “Could you rmend some clothing for newborn babies? I would like two


    sets each, for a boy and a girl.”


    During her checkup several days ago, Cecelia was thrilled to learn from the doctor that she was having


    twins. She was happy enough with one child, but having two was a delightful surprise, which she


    attributed to a divine blessing. It even overshadowed her trauma of the one-night stand.


    “No problem!” The salesgirl quickly began to rmend a selection of clothing to Cecelia.


    Out of nowhere, Xavier strolled in.


    The salesgirls were about to greet him, but he waved them away upon noticing Cecelia''s bump while


    she was picking out children''s clothing. Tactfully, they retreated as one.


    “Are you buying clothes, Ms. Zuckerberg?” Xavier said suddenly, causing Cecelia to jump and drop the


    shirt she was holding. “You scared me half to death, Mr. Dartsley! What are you doing here?”


    “My apologies for startling you.” Xavier returned her gaze innocently. “Am I not allowed to visit a


    clothing store during my free time?”


    Cecelia''s attitude surprised him. I''m only making polite small talk. What is she making such a big fuss


    for? Pregnancy seemed to have made her bolder. And her figure... What a nice fantasy that is.


    For some reason, gazing at Cecelia transported Xavier back to that passionate night he shared with


    that mysterious woman.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    “What are you looking at?” Cecelia yelled in frustration, covering herself when she noticed Xavier''s


    unwavering gaze on her belly.


    Ever since that night with that man, I have be wary of all men.


    Xavier failed to repress a chuckle.


    She seems more touchy and prickly than usual. Instead of her usual deadpan look in the office, she


    now looks like an angry kitten.


    Cecelia''s mood to shop had been ruined. Upon deciding to visit another store, she was about to leave


    when a couple walked in.


    in-looking and slightly plump, the woman was covered from head to foot in branded apparel. It made


    her look like a walking gship store. The man whose arm she clutched was tall and broad, with grease


    in his hair and eyeliner on hisshes, looking more like a toyboy than anything else.


    Cecelia was dumbstruck when she caught sight of his face.


    She stood rooted to the spot, her tears falling down her cheeks.