CH 18
1408 Words
As Cecilia Cooper walked into the living room, her cheeks were still flushed and burning with anger. She had been cursing Charles Dixon in her mind for quite some time.
It was all because of that one comment he made when he left. Davina Gray had relentlessly questioned her all the way, asking if it was true that she wasn't wearing a bra. How did President Dixon even know she wasn't wearing one?
Cecilia felt her face heat up with embarrassment. She had to respond, but the underwire from her bra somehow poked out and was digging painfully into her skin.
Unable to bear the discomfort, she had taken it off in the hospital bathroom, thinking that as long as she kept her down jacket on, no one would notice. Little did she expect such an embarrassing incident to happen!
Colleen was sitting on the couch, engrossed in the television. Hearing the noise, she turned around and waved, "Cecilia, come over and watch with me!"
Perhaps due to her age, Colleen didn't usually watch much TV, but now she seemed completely captivated.
Cecilia felt a bit puzzled as she walked over, her gaze landing on the screen where "Where Are We Going, Dad?" was playing.
This show was popular among the teachers at her school. At first, she didn't pay much attention, but after watching for a while, she found it quite entertaining.
At that moment, Giona was washing cabbage, her small frame appearing round and slightly pale as she struggled to rinse a bowl of cabbage under the faucet.
After serving the dishes, she turned around only to spill a basin of freshly washed cabbage all over the floor. Her big, dark eyes darted around as she anxiously called out for her dad.
"This kid is just like you when you were little, always eager to wash the dishes and do the laundry, and ending up soaked from head to toe," Colleen chuckled, reminiscing.
She smiled, but she couldn't recall any of her childhood memories, while her mother remembered them so vividly.
Looking at the adorable and obedient Giona on the screen, she suddenly thought of the baby growing inside her.
Her child made her feel a bit overwhelmed and anxious...
With no desire to continue watching the TV show, she turned and walked into her room, feeling dazed.
What should she do?
Her heart was racing, and her mind was in chaos; this was far from a simple issue.
After just a moment of thought, a sharp pain shot through her head, like a thousand needles pricking at once.
She needed to relax, both her mind and body.
In three days, the end-of-year exams would begin. The school had sent out information regarding the exam schedule and subjects, along with some preparations for the exam room. She intended to take a look at it.
Reaching for her bag, she realized it was missing. She froze, suddenly remembering that she hadn't brought her bag home.
Where could it have been left behind?
At the Canton Sea Grand Hotel, or perhaps in Charles Dixon's car?
If it were at the Canton Sea Grand Hotel, it would be one thing, but if it was left in Charles Dixon's car, then...
Her face turned pale, and her heart raced as if it were about to leap out of her chest. She quickly took out her phone and called the front desk of the Yuehai Hotel.
Then, the phone slowly slipped from her hand, and she collapsed onto the edge of the bed, gasping for breath.
That lab report was left in Charles Dixon's car...
The car made a smooth turn and parked directly in the garage.
Charles Dixon caught a glimpse of the bag and documents left on the back seat through the reflection in the car's mirror. His brow furrowed slightly as his tall, sturdy frame reached over the seat, his long arm stretching out to grab both the bag and the lab report.
His eyes swept over the name "Cecilia Cooper," sparking his curiosity. He focused on the lab report and began to read through it.
Then, his deep gaze froze on a few lines, and suddenly, his expression changed...
That day, right in front of him, she had taken the birth control pill brought by her assistant...
So there was no reason for her to be pregnant. Yet, the lab report from the hospital was right in his hands, leaving no room for doubt.
Or perhaps, she had done something to manipulate the results?
Furrowing his brow, Charles Dixon's strong hand tightened around the lab report. Narrowing his eyes, he took out his phone and dialed a number.
Caught in a whirlwind of shock, Cecilia Cooper jumped as her phone suddenly rang, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.
She picked up the phone from the bed and, seeing the caller ID, her heartbeat quickened even more, making it hard for her to hold the device steady.
It was Charles Dixon calling… He must have seen the lab results…
Feeling a tremor of anxiety, she shakily ended the call, trying to calm her racing heart.
But then, the screen lit up again, and the ringtone echoed through the quiet room once more.
She still didn’t reach for it, holding the phone tightly as she waited. After a long moment, the screen dimmed again.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Cecilia knew deep down that she had to make a decision about the baby growing inside her.
Whether to keep it or to terminate the pregnancy…
The door of her room was slightly ajar, and she could clearly hear her mother’s joyful laughter, along with the innocent voices coming from the television.
Her hand rested on her belly, and Cecilia felt a subtle shift in her heart.
This child was a part of her, sharing her blood, and it felt so miraculous.
Could she really bring herself to end the life of the baby inside her?
The doctor’s words echoed in her mind: her uterus was tilted too far back, and if she chose to terminate this pregnancy, it might mean…
It might mean that she would never have children again, that no little one would ever spin around her, calling her "Mommy" with a sweet, innocent voice, tugging at her leg for candy.
For a woman, could such a life truly be considered complete?
As the thought lingered in her mind, it became increasingly vivid and certain. The sense of urgency that had been causing her confusion and headaches suddenly vanished.
"You have a new message. Please check it."
A sweet, clear voice chimed in, and she opened it: "2 PM tomorrow, Jiangnan Road Café!"
It was just a single sentence—efficient and straightforward, as if issuing a command to a subordinate.
This style mirrored the aura that emanated from the man himself: bold, elegant, and impossible to resist.
Cecilia Cooper found herself smiling unexpectedly, a hint of surprise at her own reaction. Perhaps it was the decision she had made that made her feel so at ease.
With a light tap on her phone screen, she replied with a single word: "Okay!"
Her mind was as clear as a mirror; even if she tried to avoid him, it was simply impossible.
His power in Springfield City was undeniable—where could she possibly escape to? There was nowhere to hide!
As for the pregnancy, she decided to keep it from her parents for now. Once everything was settled, she would tell them.
With her decision made, Cecilia let out a sigh of relief and headed to the bathroom to shower and rest.
No matter what, she needed a good night's sleep…
The next day.
After asking the principal for leave, she glanced at the time: 1:30 PM. There was still half an hour until 2 PM.
Cecilia Cooper hailed a taxi and gave the driver her destination, heading to the café on Jiangnan Road...
Jiangnan Road was a famous street in Springfield City, lined with cafés from one end to the other. Each café offered a variety of coffee, all well-known, but naturally, the prices were quite steep.
As she stepped into the café where she had a reservation, Charles Dixon had yet to arrive. She glanced down at her watch—it was 1:55 PM.
Just as she settled into a window seat, a sweet-looking waitress approached her. "Miss, here’s the coffee menu."
- Writer
