Billionaire’s Second Chance: Winning Her Back
Chapter 37 Hope’s Pregnant
I almost threw up everything I just ate, but felt a bit better afterward. After rinsing my mouth, I went back to the dining table.
Bentley put down his fork and asked, “Are you feeling okay? Should we get a doctor?”
“Mr. Valence,” Audrey said with a knowing smile, “I think Hope is pregnant. You’re going to be a great–grandfather! The Valence family is getting a new member!”
I was stunned by the sudden news. My heart skipped a beat, and my nails dug into my palms as I felt a mix of panic and confusion.
Bentley looked at me, eyes filled with joy. “Is it true, what Audrey said?”
I could feel everyone’s eyes on me–expectation, surprise, envy. It made me incredibly uncomfortable.
My mind raced, trying to come up with a believable excuse. Meeting Bentley’s hopeful gaze, I couldn’t bear to lie to him. But I had no choice.
I steeled myself and said, “Bentley, I’m not pregnant. I’ve just been having some stomach issues lately, which is why I felt nauseous.”
To my surprise, Bentley’s first reaction wasn’t disappointment. It was concern. “Have you been to the hospital? You’ve lost quite a bit of weight recently. Christopher should take you for a full check–up.”
“No need,” I blurted out, alarmed. A check–up would reveal the pregnancy for sure. But before I could finish, Bentley shot a look at Christopher.
Christopher’s lips tightened as he cut me off, “Alright.”
With everyone watching, I didn’t argue further. I’d find an excuse to skip the appointment later. Besides, Christopher might forget about it anyway.
After dinner, Bentley called me upstairs in front of everyone. This was a first. I felt a bit anxious.
‘Has Bentley figured out that Christopher and I are deceiving him? I thought.
In the study, Bentley sat down and had Barry close the door. “Hope, Have a seat.”
I sat down, feeling increasingly uneasy under Bentley’s shar of us–Bentley, Barry, and me.
gaze. The large study felt even more intimidating with just the three
Bentley spoke with a knowing tone, “You two are still planning to divorce, aren’t you?”
My heart sank. There was no point in hiding it anymore. “Yes, how did you know?”
Bentley sighed, not angry but rather disappointed. “You may be independent and stubborn, not showing much affection for him, but your eyes never leave him. Except today, you didn’t look at him once
His words were filled with pity.
Hearing this, my throat tightened, leaving me speechless for a moment.
Bentley had seen through me, yet Christopher suspected my heart lay elsewhere.
I lowered my head, hiding my bitter feelings. My throat tightened again, and all I could manage to say was, “Bentley, I’m sorry.”
Chapter 37 Hope’s Pregnant
“It’s me who should apologize, Bentley said, signaling Barry to pour me some water. “If I hadn’t pushed for you to marry Christopher, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”
I took a sip of water and shook my head. “No, you just helped me fulfill a dream. Without you, I might have spent my whole life reaching for something I couldn’t have. Now, I can move forward without regrets.”
Wanting something you couldn’t have could be a lifelong yearning. But having had it and letting go was better than never having it at all. Thinking this way, I won’t keep longing for it..
Bentley looked resigned. I wanted to convince you two not to divorce, but hearing you now, it would be unfair to push you. You need to know, to me, you’re like my own granddaughter. Even without the title of Mrs. Valence, no one will dare to bully you!”
His words were firm, a promise to reassure me. My heart warmed, and my voice choked with emotion. “Bentley…”
“Hope, Bentley interrupted, his expression serious. “Do you know why I didn’t want Evelyn and Brenda to marry into the Valence family?”
“Why?”
“Barry,” Bentley called.
Barry understood and went to the safe, retrieving a manila envelope. He handed it to me respectfully at Bentley’s nod.
“Open it,” Bentley instructed.
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I felt a strange tension, a sense that I was about to uncover something hidden. And I was right.
Inside the envelope was a memory card and several photos taken from surveillance footage. The photos showed two women–one heavily pregnant, the other with a perfect figure.
The pregnant woman was Christopher’s biological mother, Isabella Valence. I’d seen her photos in this house. She was a beautiful and cultured woman.
The other woman, whom I’d visited in the hospital with Christopher, was his stepmother, Brenda.
As I looked through the photos, my heart pounded faster. Finally, I looked up at Bentley in disbelief, wanting to speak but finding my voice gone. Bentley understood my unspoken question and gave me the answer I needed.
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