Chapter 22
After Sophia told Susan that she didn’t want to hear about Brandon’s recent situation, Susan really kept
her word and didn’t bring him up again, not even his name. Instead, she mentioned that her
coboration with Starlight Group had gone through evaluation and was now in the contract phase.
Though there were always twists and turns before a contract was finalized, Sophia was genuinely
thrilled for Susan.
These days, Sophia had officiallypleted her enrollment procedures, and life was slowly getting
back on track. She was also gradually getting used to life and culture in Ephemora. The only thing she
hadn’t quite adjusted to was her severe morning sickness; it was like whatever she ate came right back
up, leaving her already frail body feeling even weaker
Sophia only realized how bad her health was after herst pregnancy.
She wondered if it had anything to do with frostbite she suffered as a child. Back then, she was left in
the freezing wilderness for days. After Haley picked her up and brought her home, he was often away
working and couldn’t look after her much They weren’t well-off, and Laura’s educational level and love
for her were limited. Back in those days, people didn’t really understand the concept of scientific
parenting. There was no special effort made to nurse her health, it was a matter of surviving, and if not,
well, that was that
But Sophia had a tough spirit. Despite frequently falling ill as a child and never being taken to the
hospital unless it was really serious, Laura would only take her to a clinic to get some medicine or an
antibiotic drip. Once she seemed a bit better, Laura would leave her be, and Sophia managed to
survive all those bouts of illness.
Before, Sophia never paid attention to health and wellness info and didn’t know much about her own
physical condition. She just knew she was often sickly, with a weak immune system and a delicate
stomach-eating anything slightly cold would upset it-but she never knew it was this bad. Her first
pregnancy was just like now, with severe morning sickness, and she kept eating and throwing up,
losing weight until she barely weighed over a hundred pounds Pregnancy was excruciating for her, her
body just couldn’t handle the hormonal changes it brought on.
And it’s the same story now.
As she looked at the mess she’d just thrown up in the sink, Sophia sighed, resignedly turned on the
faucet, and rinsed out the basin. Then, patting her empty stomach, she settled back at the dining table
to continue eating, despite feeling queasy.
Her phone was right there on the table, still on a video call with Susan. They had been chatting when
the nausea hit, and Sophia couldn’t help but rush to the bathroom to hurl.
Susan was freaking out, and when Sophia sat back down, she bombarded her with questions: How are
you feeling? Any better? Should we go to the hospital, or should I get Ivan to check on you?”
“No, Sophia quickly intervened, “I barely know the guy, let’s not bother him all the time. I’m fine.”
Sophia and Ivan, although living in the same building, had their own lives. After a brief encounter when
she moved in, they hadn’t interacted much, only crossing paths asionally in the lobby for a quick
hello, or sometimes coincidentally walking to ss together-they were in the same ss, after all.
Sophia didn’t know why Ivan chose to return to school so many years after graduating, especially at a
time when it was said that he was sessful Probably just life choices for different stages.
Susan nodded, “Alright then. Just take care of yourself, and let me know right away if anything’s wrong
I know we shouldn’t impose on people too much, but when you’re abroad and something sudden
“Yeah, yeah, I got it. I’m feeling much better now, Sophia said, showing her a spoonful of soup and
sipping it down in front of her. “I can still handle this
This was already an improvementpared to her first pregnancy, when it was a never-ending cycle of
eating and voriting, which left her body wasted.
didn’t know if Brandon had been freaked out by her state back then, but he definitely seemed nervous,
taking a long leave from work to stay with her. They even hired a nutritionist and a chef to prepare
special meals for her but
sadly her stomach was too sensitive to absorb anything.
At least now, after throwing up, she could manage to eat a little bit.
Sophia felt that this was somewhat thanks to Brandon’s careful care over the past two years.
Even though he was busy with work and rarely at home, he always paid close attention to her diet and
would check in on the meal ns the nutritionist had set up. He’d even make surprise visits to see if
she was following the diet strictly So, Sophia didn’t have any hard feelings towards Brandon-she was
actually grateful.
If it weren’t for the messy and suffocating issues between their families that made her feel trapped in
her marriage without an outlet, she wouldn’t have minded continuing to live life alongside himn.
Now, although her life wasn’t as affluent as before, at least she didn’t have to worry about whether she
was doing well enough or if a wrong word might cause Brandon trouble or lead to misunderstandings.
She didn’t have to cater to someone else’s emotions, could do whatever she wanted, and it was
liberating andfortable
Except for her still disappointing health
Sophia’s hand instinctively pressed against her churning stomach.
Susan, noticing something was off, asked, ‘Feeling sick again?”
Sophia could only nod, “I gotta hang up. She didn’t finish her sentence; the rising urge to vomit sent her
dashing back to the bathroom.
It was another violent episode of retching, leaving Sophia with an aching gut, a bitter taste in her
mouth, and tears nearly forced out by reflex.
When she finally recovered, she washed her face, rinsed her mouth, and was about to spit out the
water when she felt a dull pain in her lower abdomen.
Her hand trembled as she held the cup, an unexined panic setting in. Wondering whether she had
overdone it with the vomiting, or if it was something else, she didn’t waste any time. Pulling up her
clothes, she saw a faint trace of blood, which left her mind nk for a second. But she quickly
composed herself, changed her clothes, grabbed her phone, and hailed a cab to the hospital.
The hospital was just a few minutes’ drive from where she lived.
After a thorough check-up, the doctor told her it was just a slight spotting.
“Ms. Yearwood, your pregnancy is looking a bit shaky right now, and there’s a real risk of miscarriage.
Once you get home, you gotta chill out and watch what you eat. Keep up with the nutrition and don’t
even think about lifting heavy stuff, the kind-faceddy doc said earnestly, giving Sophia the lowdown.
Sophia hesitated a moment before nodding. “Okay”
Stepping out of the hospital, dusk had already set in.
Not many folks on the sidewalk, the autumn breeze whisked up fallen leaves, casting a hauntingly
beautiful yet bleak vibe over the street.
Sophia gazed at the unfamiliar street corners, that lost and wandering feeling creeping back up on her.
Her reflection on the shop window looked worn and fragile.
Sophia wasn’t sure if this was just the kick-off or if her body was still getting the hang of this whole
pregnancy thing.
If things kept going south, juggling school and work would be the least of her worries. She fretted that
in such shape. holding onto the baby might not even be in the cards. And even if luck was on her side
and the baby stayed put, could she, in such poor shape, give enough nutrients to the little one? Could
she ensure a healthy start for her child?
Thinking back to herst pregnancy, every off-the-chart test result was a real scare. Being pregnant
was like a never-ending level-up game, each step a brutal survival of the fittest.
came with them
Truth be told, Sophia was scared stiff of facing those test results, and the life-or-death calls that ca
Whatever choice she made was a huge gamble
st time, she lost that bet. Sophia wasn’t sure if she was up for rolling the dice again
Letting out a long sigh, Sophia looked away, hands stuffed into her coat pockets as she pulled her coat
tighter around her. She took slow steps forward, nning to hail a cab up ahead. As she turned the
comer, the “Starlight Hotel” sign caught her eye unexpectedly, and she paused, looking up at the hotel
without really meaning to.