Chapter 256 An Unexpected Encounter
For the next couple of days, I didn’t receive any calls from Ronan. I perceived that he probably could not accept the sudden news about my pregnancy.
Consequently, I received another shocking news—Michael was getting married soon.
It took me quite some time to regain my senses after watching that news on the TV.
That was pretty startling because Michael had said that he would investigate whether the culprit of the intrusion in my house was Emma just a few days ago. Knowing that they were about to get married all of a sudden was unexpected indeed. Thus, I wondered if he was only paying lip service when he promised to help me.
Furthermore, it was difficult for me to be prepared mentally for such abrupt news since they were engaged just a few days ago.
I turned off the TV, intending to calm myself down, but to no avail. Even though I acknowledged that their marriage would arrive sooner or later, I still could not accept it as it was too sudden. Perhaps I still hadn’t gotten over Michael yet.
Shortly afterward, I called Natalie as I didn’t want to be alone at home while feeling exasperated.
The more I was alone, the more I would recall every bit of memories of being together with Michael. Realizing that he was about to marry another woman caused my heart to feel indescribably anguished.
Since she noticed that my tone sounded off, Natalie did not say too much and told me to wait for her at her company.
I found a café not too far away from Natalie’s company and chose that place as our meeting point. While waiting for her, I discovered that the news about Michael’s upcoming marriage was everywhere. Sure enough, I felt like I was about to descend into madness.
Not long after, Natalie appeared before me while panting heavily. She gulped down the water on the table after sitting down.
“What’s wrong? Why are you in a bad mood?” Natalie asked while casting a look of concern toward me right after that drink.
Without answering her question straight away, I lowered my head and stirred the fruit juice I had ordered. Due to my pregnancy, I refrained from drinking coffee for the time being.
Following a moment of silence, I finally answered, “Michael is getting married after two weeks.”
Upon hearing my words, Natalie widened her eyes in shock. “What? Didn’t he get engaged only recently?”
Like myself, Natalie thought that news was too unanticipated as well. After all, Michael and Emma had their engagement only a few days ago. Anyone who knew about the unforeseen marriage announcement would most definitely have the same reaction as us.
Despite feeling troubled, I didn’t know what to say at the moment. Above all, I was in no position to say anything nor had the right to speak out. The fact was that Michael’s marriage had nothing to do with me.
“I thought I could move on from Michael, Natalie. However, I was utterly heartbroken when I saw the news about him getting married very soon. I’m not sure what I should do.” I wouldn’t have expressed my genuine feelings for Michael if it were in front of others. The exception was Natalie, as she was the only friend I could trust wholeheartedly.
Looking at my saddened expression, Natalie stared at me with a look of sympathy while frowning. “I think you’re just tormenting yourself, Anna. Since you love Michael and are pregnant with his child, why don’t you try being in a relationship with him?”
As usual, Natalie encouraged me to be more courageous by sorting things out with Michael. I knew she wanted me to be happy, but I had my concerns.
“Stop trying to persuade me, Natalie. There’s no way I can be in a relationship with Michael. I only want to vent my feelings to feel better. Besides, I have no intention to tell him about the baby.” Although I recognized that Natalie meant well, I didn’t want to do what she suggested.
“You’re such a stubborn woman, Anna. I don’t even know what’s going through your mind sometimes.” Natalie let out a sigh helplessly as she knew my attitude was uncompromising.
After having a heart-to-heart chat with Natalie, I felt a lot better than before indeed. Still, my heart would drown in sorrow whenever I thought about Michael.
Therefore, I didn’t turn on the TV even once for the next two days to avoid watching any news about Michael. The melancholy I felt did fade a little when I did that.
A few days later, I went to the hospital for a checkup concerning my pregnancy according to schedule. Due to my care for my baby, I attended every single checkup since day one.
Thankfully, not only was my body in good shape, but my baby was developing normally as well.
Just as I was about to leave the hospital after the checkup, I was shocked to see the two persons in the elevator.
It was Michael and Ronan. The feeling of panic swept through my body as soon as I saw Michael.
I intended to walk away immediately, but my legs would not move. Consequently, I stood rooted to the spot.
At that moment, Michael and Ronan had noticed my presence. Michael had a puzzled look on his face while looking at me, probably because he never expected that I would appear in the hospital. As for Ronan, his face had darkened when he saw me.
I believed Ronan knew why I came to the hospital in all likelihood. Ever since he was aware of my pregnancy, he stopped contacting me. I had no clue what was in his mind, but I thought he probably felt awkward meeting me after knowing about my pregnancy.
“Are you going to stand there forever?” Michael questioned in a displeased tone when he saw that I was not moving.
His voice snapped me out of my daze successfully. I then entered the elevator with a slight hesitation and stood at a spot farther away from them.
My initial intention was to flee, but I realized that action would demonstrate my guilty conscience. More importantly, I was afraid that Michael would find out about my pregnancy.
That was the first time I felt like the elevator was descending unusually slow due to the situation. Moreover, I thought bumping into Michael at the elevator in the hospital was such a baffling coincidence.
“What are you doing here? Are you sick?” Michael broke the awkward silence in the elevator after a while. However, I felt even more nervous by his question.
“I’m fine. I’m only here for a physical examination.” I lowered my head in guilt after giving that excuse while stuffing the report into my bag hastily to prevent Michael from noticing it.
While I was answering Michael, I also took a secret glance at Ronan as I was worried that he might reveal my pregnancy.
Unlike his previous playful demeanor, Ronan’s face was devoid of expression.
“Isn’t Anna your friend, Ronan? Why did she have to spend money for a physical examination in the hospital you established?” Michael shifted his gaze toward Ronan instead of giving me a reply after listening to my answer.
Considering that Ronan was not as hospitable toward me as before, I believed Michael would sense that something was off.
