Chapter 73

Kayla gave a polite smile and shook her head. "No,thanks. I'll grab a cab."

Jeremy didn't say a word. His driver had already pulled the car up to the curb, and without waiting, Jeremy got in first. He didn't close the door behind him.He left it open, expecting her to follow.

Kayla hesitated. Standing there felt awkward, and turning him down again would seem rude. Reluctantly,she climbed in after him.

Inside the car, the music was soft and calm, nothing like the noise and drama of the club they'd just left behind.

Kayla noticed Jeremy wasn't leaning back or resting with his eyes closed. She hesitated for a second, then began, "About what happened tonight..."

"| don't interfere in women's business," Jeremy responded with no real emotion, casually turning the ring on his finger.

Kayla hesitated again, then finally asked, "Zoe said you plan to marry her. Is that true?"

Silence fell over the car, thick and heavy.Jeremy didn't respond, and after a moment, Kayla tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and mumbled, "Sorry. I wasn't trying to pry. Just curious."

Jeremy let out a dry scoff. "Seems like everyone's curious about who I'm going to marry. You and Zoe clearly don't get along. Did my father make you invite her to have dinner with the Graham family?"

Kayla blinked and gave a small nod. "Yes. I'm still his granddaughter-in-law. I wouldn't dare go against his orders."

Jeremy's eyes rested on her face, taking in the quiet defiance in her expression. He let out a dry,mocking breath. "So now you're trying to play the victim with me?"

Kayla coughed quietly and didn't answer.

The silence stretched out until the car finally pulled up in front of her place.

Just as she reached for the door handle, Jeremy spoke. "Liam's company must be circling the drain if he's letting you stay in a dump like this."

Kayla paused, then straightened and replied, "Liam and I have been living separately for a while. What I do now has nothing to do with him. You should head home and get some rest. Goodnight."

With that, she stepped out and shut the door behind her,walking away.

Jeremy watched her walk off,her posture straight and her steps fast. "Just mention Liam and she lights up like a fuse," he muttered to himself.

...

Kayla's arm had mostly healed. That morning,she made time for a prenatal check-up. Inside the ultrasound room, the doctor studied her scan carefully and said, "Everything looks good, but the next couple of months are important. Try to avoid stress and take it easy."

Kayla let out a soft breath. Relief spread through her chest. Over the past month, the baby had quietly claimed a place in her heart. Even if it hadn't been planned, it was hers-and she wanted to protect it.

"Thank you, doctor." Kayla slipped back into her clothes and left the room.

As she walked down the corridor, Tricia happened to look up and caught a glimpse of her turning the corner. "Kayla?" She rushed to catch up.

Kayla stood in line at the pharmacy, head down,scrolling through messages in her work group chat.When she glanced up, she caught sight of Tricia's reflection in the glass window ahead, watching her from a distance.

She frowned slightly. Using the crowd to her advantage, she quietly stepped out of the queue and disappeared.Tricia, distracted for only a moment, suddenly found Kayla was gone. She glanced around in confusion."Huh? Where'd she go?"

"Looking for me?" The voice came from behind,startling Tricia so much that she spun around,clutching her chest.

Kayla stood there, arms crossed, a small pharmacy bag dangling from one hand, her expression cool.

Tricia clutched her purse tighter,her voice sharp."Are you pregnant?"

Kayla raised an eyebrow, then laughed-light but cutting.She looked Tricia straight in the eye and asked,"Who told you that? Or do you wish to get pregnant yourself?"

Tricia's face stiffened. She instinctively moved the medical report behind her back, trying to hide it.

Kayla's smile grew as she watched Tricia squirm.Earlier, she'd seen Tricia's name flash on the screen but had brushed it off, thinking it must be someone else with the same name.

"Kayla, are you making fun of me?" Tricia snapped,clearly rattled.

"Touchy, aren't we? Let me guess..." Kayla said,twirling the medicine bag by its string. "You thought you were pregnant. And when the result said no, you couldn't hide your disappointment." Tricia's cheeks turned bright red. She stepped forward,ready to argue, but something in Kayla's gaze stopped her cold.

The truth was, Tricia hadn't been feeling like herself lately and started thinking she might be pregnant.The idea actually excited her-she thought it might finally make Liam take her seriously. But the test results were a letdown. She wasn't pregnant.

Kayla could see it all over her face. She gave a short laugh and said, "Don't worry. You've always been good at inserting yourself where you don't belong. If you try hard enough, I'm sure you'll manage to have Liam's baby one day."

Tricia's glare sharpened. Her voice turned icy. "And what about you? Why were you coming out of the obstetrics department? You really think I'm that naive?"