Chapter_191
Olivia couldn’t stomach anything too fishy at the moment. Fortunately, when Linda opened the thermos, there was no strong smell, and to her relief, her nausea didn’t resurface.
“Okay,” she murmured softly.
Linda handed her the bowl of soup, and Olivia took a few tentative sips. She hadn’t eaten much since the previous morning and felt weak from the hunger. Despite not having much appetite, she forced herself to finish the soup.
Tyler sat beside her, observing quietly. When she was done, he said, “Try some porridge. It has beans and a bit of sugar.”
Linda poured the warm porridge into a bowl and handed it to Olivia, but her appetite had faded completely. She stared at the bowl, hesitating.
“You should eat some,” Tyler encouraged gently. “Even if it’s just a little.”
Olivia said nothing. She looked down, quiet to the point of seeming invisible, then took the bowl from Linda and slowly ate a few spoonfuls.
Tyler didn’t rush her. He waited until she put the bowl down on the tray. Sensing she had eaten as much as she could, he turned to Linda and said, “Take it away.”
Linda quietly left the room with the bowl.
After a moment of silence, Olivia asked, “Did you tell Naomi yet?” Her tone was low, but there was tension in her voice. To her, her family—especially Hillary—should’ve been the first to know about the pregnancy.
“I will,” Tyler replied simply.
Right then, Olivia’s phone rang.
It was Hillary.
Olivia stared at the screen, hesitating. Hillary had no idea about the pregnancy and was probably calling to push for another IVF appointment. That expectation made Olivia even more reluctant to answer.
Tyler noticed. “Answer it,” he said calmly. “She should know.”
Olivia hesitated another beat, then nodded. There was no hiding it forever—and to the Joneses, this would be joyful news.
She pressed the button and lifted the phone to her ear.
“Olivia, how are you feeling today?” Hillary’s voice came sharp and impatient. “Ready for your check-up now? You’ve run out of excuses, haven’t you?”
Olivia inhaled slowly, then answered with surprising firmness. “I’m pregnant, Aunt Hillary.”
Silence.
Hillary froze on the other end of the line, caught mid-step in her living room.
“The baby is over a month along now,” Olivia added, her voice more composed than she felt.
“You’re… pregnant?” Hillary repeated, as if trying to make sure she heard it right.
“Yes,” Olivia said quietly. “Naturally.”
Hillary’s stunned silence gave way to breathless excitement. “You’re pregnant… finally!” Her voice broke into a joyous laugh. “That’s wonderful news!”
Then, more urgently, “Where are you now?”