At six in the morning, Zhan managed to take a bath despite feeling heavy and sluggish from exhaustion. His eyes were weighed down with sleep, and his body ached. Once he was done, he returned to bed and fell into a deep slumber, having not seen Yibo since he had left Zhan's room at dawn to rest in his own quarters. Yibo, too, was finally enjoying a deep sleep after days of unrest and sleeplessness.
Meanwhile, Hannah had been up early, busy preparing breakfast for Yibo in their section of the house. However, her mind was preoccupied with figuring out how to uncover Zhan's true intentions regarding Yibo. She was determined not to allow Zhan to take the place she envisioned for herself in Yibo's life.
Around ten in the morning, she finished her tasks and returned to her room to get ready. She bathed and stood before the mirror, applying makeup and spraying herself with expensive perfumes. Then, she selected a long, form-fitting dress with a low neckline, designed to highlight her figure. After one last touch of perfume, she picked up a basket and headed to Granny's quarters, suspecting that Yibo might be there since it was nearing eleven.
Upon entering Granny's sitting room, she noticed it was empty except for Guan, who was arranging lunch dishes on the dining table. Hannah set her basket down and made her way to Zhan's room, assuming he was at work by now.
At the door, she hesitated before turning the handle and opening it slowly. As she stepped in, she overheard Zhan on the phone, speaking to Sarah in a distressed tone. His anxiety was evident as he expressed frustration over his situation.
Zhan's words hit her like a thunderbolt. "Sarah, get ready and come pick me up now. We're going to a clinic to have this pregnancy scanned and taken care of. I'll pay whatever it costs. I can't deal with the shame of this anymore. Come now; I'll start getting ready."
Hannah froze, her heart racing as Zhan ended the call. Zhan, seemingly unaware of her presence, got up from the bed. The lingering scent of Yibo in the room made him wrinkle his nose in frustration. Adjusting the bathrobe he had slept in, he retrieved a folded paper from the bedside table and read it again, his chest tightening with uncertainty and dread.
"I don't know what to do," he muttered, his hand absently rubbing his flat stomach. His voice trembled as he whispered to himself, "I've never thought about something like this. What if it goes wrong?"
Taking a deep breath, Zhan placed the paper back in its envelope, slipped it into his bag, and headed to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
Hannah 's heart was pounding, her thoughts swirling in shock, fear, and a sinister sense of triumph. Zhan being pregnant? This revelation could destroy him—and end any chance he had with Yibo.
Her hands trembled as she quietly opened Zhan's bag, retrieved the envelope, and slipped out of the room. She hurriedly left Granny's section of the house, clutching the envelope tightly.
Once back in their quarters, her hands still shaking, she began to pull the paper out of the envelope. Mum Ella, seated in the sitting room, noticed her agitation and approached. "What's going on? Why are you shaking like that? And what's in that envelope?" she asked, her tone curious but firm.
Ignoring her, Hannah unfolded the paper and read its contents. Her heart raced as her eyes scanned the results, confirming what she had overheard—Zhan was indeed pregnant. However, the devilish voice in her head planted doubt. Surely, this wasn't Yibo's child. Zhan must have gotten involved with someone else.
But then, conflicting thoughts stopped her. Despite her desire to believe the worst about Zhan, she knew his reputation and character were impeccable. Could it really be Yibo's child?
In a near-hysterical outburst, Hannah exclaimed, "Who is responsible for this? There's no way it's Marshal's! Zhan and Yibo have no such relationship, so this pregnancy can't be his. No, this is someone else's doing. I'll show this to Marshal so he can see who Zhan really is and the kind of life he's been leading with other men!"
Mom Ella quickly snatched the paper from Hannah's hands, her face filled with shock and disbelief as she read its contents. She looked up, deep in thought, shaking her head as she said, "For days now, I suspected something. The boy looked like he might be pregnant, but I dismissed the idea because I knew there was no closeness or intimacy between him and Yibo. Everyone knows they've never had that kind of relationship. So, where could this pregnancy have come from?"
Hannah grabbed the paper back, her eyes blazing with anger and frustration, her voice trembling as she shouted, "Wherever it came from, I know it's not Yibo's! He has never looked at me, someone who puts in so much effort to catch his attention, with even the slightest desire. Despite my attempts—dressing up, acting alluring—he's never shown interest. So how could he have anything to do with Zhan, who doesn't even try to be appealing? No way! This pregnancy is not his. I'll show this to Yibo and let him see who Zhan truly is. Maybe then, he'll divorce him and move on."
Mom Ella sat down and pulled Hannah to sit beside her, her own face clouded with anger but tempered with caution. "Didn't you say Zhan was planning an abortion?" she asked. "Let's wait until we confirm that. If he goes through with it, the situation will be even worse for him. We can present it to Yibo in a way that makes him despise Zhan for trying to hide such a scandal. That will hurt Yibo even more and make it easier for us to achieve what we want. But for now, keep this document safe. Don't let your impatience ruin our plans. You're always quick to act, and that could cost us."
Hannah, seething with rage, got up abruptly, stuffing the paper back into the envelope. She stormed off to her room, grabbed her car keys, and left the house. Her mind was racing, and her chest felt heavy with unresolved anger. She didn't know exactly how to approach this revelation about Zhan's pregnancy.
As she started her car, she noticed Zhan leaving the house with Sarah, who was dressed in a gray shirt and black trousers, holding Zhan's bag. Sarah took the keys as they entered their car and began to drive off.
Hannah's fury boiled over as she stepped out of her car, slamming the door shut. She stormed toward Yibo's quarters. He had just woken up from his nap, freshly showered, and dressed in a fitted ash-colored outfit that highlighted his sharp features. He picked up his phone to make a call when a loud knock came at his door.
Yibo glanced at the door but hesitated, turning away. He wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone's issues today. In fact, he had planned to leave for his house in the military district to escape the chaos. He had already decided to call Dr. Kuo to meet him there and check on Zhan, whose morning sickness and vomiting before he left earlier had left him deeply concerned.
The knocking continued, insistent and loud, pulling Yibo from his thoughts. Reluctantly, he walked toward the door, his expression stern.
Yibo opened the door and fixed his eyes on Hannah. His expression was cold and unreadable as she stood there, her heart pounding with overwhelming love for him. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him—no matter what it took. To Hannah, Yibo belonged to her, and life without him was unimaginable.
Without a word, Yibo turned and walked back into the room, ignoring her gaze. He hated prolonged stares, especially from women's, as it made him deeply uncomfortable.
Hannah's eyes burned with frustration, jealousy, and heartache as she stepped forward. She pulled the envelope from her hand and placed it on the table in front of him. Just as she turned to leave, she stopped, hesitated, and turned back. Her face softened, and tears she had been holding back began to fall, revealing the pain and jealousy consuming her.
"Yibo," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion. "I love you too much to betray you like Zhan has. I can't keep this from you anymore. Zhan… he's trying to…" Her voice broke, and she took a deep breath before finishing. "He's trying to have an abortion."
Yibo's sharp glance silenced her immediately. His piercing gaze made her heart race, hoping he would react with the anger and fury she had anticipated.
He shifted his focus to the envelope she had left on the table. Calmly, he picked it up and opened it. His eyes scanned the name of the hospital first—Dr. Kuo's clinic. Slowly, he read through the rest of the document.
Yibo froze. His eyes remained fixed on the paper, his expression unreadable, but the weight of the words on the page and Hannah's revelation clearly unsettled him. After a moment of silence, he placed the paper down, stood up, and walked to his room. Moments later, he emerged with his car keys and left without another word.
By the time he stepped outside, Hannah had already driven off. Meanwhile, Zhan and Sarah had left as well, heading to a private hospital where Sarah's sister worked.
At the hospital, the doctor began by performing a scan on Zhan. Sarah had previously explained the serious implications of the procedure he intended to undergo, urging him to reconsider. "Think carefully," the doctor said. "This is a significant decision, and it shouldn't be made in haste."
Sarah, deeply distressed, felt torn. Her heart urged her to contact Yibo or even Bei, as she couldn't stand by and let Zhan go through with something so irreversible.
Softly, she pleaded, "Zhan, please let's go home and think this over again. You need more time to reflect on this decision."
Zhan's eyes filled with tears, revealing the deep turmoil he was enduring. He looked at the scan results, which confirmed that he was two months, two weeks, and three days into the pregnancy. With a shaky voice, he whispered, "Sister, I've made my decision. I'm going through with it."
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Yibo drove himself to Dr. Kuo's hospital, needing to speak with him urgently. He couldn't wait for the doctor to finish work and visit the house later, so he headed straight there.
As he drove, his phone rang, and Bei's name flashed on the screen. He ignored the call, not in the mood to talk to anyone. He decided to deal with everything later, after meeting the doctor.
Upon arriving at the hospital, he looked for Dr. Kuo's contact. Fortunately, the doctor was in his office. When Yibo entered, Dr. Kuo greeted him warmly and gestured for him to sit.
"Good afternoon, Marshal. I hope everything is okay. Did you come because of Zhan or Bei? Is someone unwell?" Dr. Kuo asked politely.
Yibo closed his eyes briefly before meeting the doctor's gaze with his usual calm but intense demeanor. "Doctor, you've examined Zhan for the illness he's been struggling with. I need to know exactly what's wrong with him. Is there something I should be aware of?"
Dr. Kuo sighed and adjusted his posture, carefully choosing his words. "Marshal, his condition isn't an illness. It's morning sickness—a result of early pregnancy. It's common for someone in his state to experience mild discomfort as the pregnancy progresses."
Yibo closed his eyes again, this time more slowly, as though processing the weight of the information. He opened them and asked, his voice steady, "Does Zhan know he's pregnant?"
"Yes," Dr. Kuo replied. "We discussed it. However, I must admit he didn't seem entirely at ease with the news."
Yibo's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying he mentioned wanting to terminate the pregnancy?"
Dr. Kuo hesitated, his unease evident. "No… I mean, yes… He hinted at it initially, but I talked to him about the risks, and I assumed he'd dropped the idea."
Without another word, Yibo stood abruptly and left the office. His eyes darkened with frustration as he walked to his car. He was just about to get in when another car sped into the hospital driveway. It was Kai Xu, shouting for the nurses while motioning toward his vehicle.
Dr. Kuo rushed outside, and they all hurried to Kai Xu's car, where Bei was being carried out, bleeding heavily and unconscious. The sight froze Yibo for a moment, his face unreadable but his fists clenched tightly.
Meanwhile, when Yibo didn't take the call from Bei no, Kai Xu directed it to Zhan, he pick up the phone the moments he was about to sign the abortion consent form.
Please, you need to get here Bei is in a critical condition. Kai Xu said from the other end.
Zhan's hands trembled, the weight of the words hitting him like a storm. The pen slipped from his fingers as he stood abruptly, his mind racing with fear and confusion. Without a second thought, he grabbed the car keys and dashed out, Sarah trailing behind, asking repeatedly, "What's wrong?"
Zhan didn't answer. Instead, he climbed into the driver's seat, his hands shaking as he started the car. Sarah barely managed to hop in before they sped off toward Dr. Kuo's hospital.
When they arrived, Zhan immediately recognized Yibo's car in the parking lot. His heart sank further, but he didn't stop. Rushing inside, he felt his legs weakening as he imagined the worst. With every step, the weight of what might happen if Bei lost her baby pressed down on him, threatening to crush him entirely.
Zhan arrived at the scene just as Dai Jie did, her face tense with worry. Her eyes filled with unshed tears, reflecting her deep concern and fear for Bei's condition. She turned slowly to look at Kai Xu, who was visibly distraught. However, his calm demeanor remained intact, as he tried to keep his emotions in check. She glanced at Zhan, then shifted her focus to Yibo, who was speaking to Dr. Kuo in a tone that betrayed his restrained frustration. His expression was stern, his face hardened with suppressed anger.
Dr. Kuo hurried inside, assuring them that they would do their best. Zhan, unable to sit still, paced back and forth as his heart pounded furiously. Anxiety gripped him as he silently prayed that Bei and her baby would be safe. He knew how much Bei longed to become a mother, especially after this being her third attempt. If she lost this chance, there likely wouldn't be another.
Sarah approached Zhan cautiously, her voice soft with concern. "Zhan, please sit down. You know stress isn't good for your condition either. Please, calm yourself."
Sarah stole a glance at Yibo, feeling her stomach tighten. His silent but palpable frustration was intimidating. He sat with one leg crossed over the other, his unreadable gaze fixed on the floor. No one dared speak to him, sensing his rising tension.
Zhan ignored Sarah's plea, his mind racing with fears of what might happen to Bei and the baby. He felt a wave of dizziness and leaned against the wall, trying to steady himself. Dai Jie noticed and spoke gently, her voice laced with concern. "Zhan, please sit down. You're already recovering from a fever. Don't add to our worries by pushing yourself too hard."
Only then did Zhan glance at Dai Jie, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. Without saying a word, he allowed Sarah to guide him to a chair near Yibo. He sat down, lowering his gaze, but his mind was far from calm.
Marshal Yibo's stoic presence loomed large in the room. Except for Dai Jie, who reassured him that everything would be fine, no one dared speak to him. Even her words only earned a silent nod, as he sat enveloped in his thoughts, his anger carefully controlled.
Kai Xu stood abruptly, pacing the room as he nervously wrung his hands. He wanted to inform his family about the situation but hesitated, not wanting to alarm them until they had a clearer picture.
Meanwhile, Zhan's hands trembled as he clasped them together tightly, his eyes closed as if willing himself to stay calm. Fear consumed him, especially at the thought of his own fragile condition. He placed a hand on his abdomen, feeling a sharp pang of anxiety. Dai Jie noticed and approached him, her voice soft but firm. "Zhan, are you okay?"
Zhan didn't respond immediately, lowering his gaze and nodding weakly as he clutched his abdomen.
Dr. Kuo finally emerged from the room, accompanied by another doctor. Everyone's eyes turned to him, anxiously awaiting news. The second doctor excused himself and walked away, leaving Dr. Kuo to address the group.
Dr. Kuo glanced at Yibo, exhaling deeply before turning to Kai Xu. "Bei lost the pregnancy. The baby wasn't developed enough to survive, and unfortunately, it was stillborn. We've managed to stop the bleeding, and while she lost a significant amount of blood, her levels are stable. She doesn't need a transfusion, and her vitals are normal.
"I understand this is a difficult time, but this is a test of resilience. With support, she will recover and heal. Bei is being moved to the recovery room, and you can see her there shortly."
Dr. Kuo then turned to Kai Xu, asking gently, "Would you like us to prepare the baby so you can proceed with the arrangements?"
Finally, Dr. Kuo addressed Yibo, whose eyes had darkened further with emotion. "I'm sorry for your loss, Marshal. I wish her quickly recovery, and may the future bring her joy. She is stable now, but she'll need your support."
With that, Dr. Kuo excused himself to make the necessary preparations for the baby.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛