The woman’s pregnancy 54

Chapter 54
Aline quietly ate her meal, occasionally glancing up at Elsie, The o sound breaking the silence was the linking of their utensils.
Finally, Aline couldn’t hold it in any longer. She put down her fork and took a deep breath, “Pise, L…
The words caught in her throat. How could she say 11? How could shell Elsie that everything she had said before was a lie? The house wasn’t her dad’s, and she wasn’t some kind hearted person-dhe was just trying to scami her for money?
“What’s wrong?” sie signed, her eyes full of concern.
Aline looked at Elsie’s worried expression. She turned her head away, unable to meet Elsie’s gaze. ‘Nothing, the food is really good.”
She forced herself to take a few more bites, but it felt like chewing wax. Guilt washed over her like a tidal wave, nearly drowning her. She couldn’t stay any longer. After a few hurried bites, she stood up for leave,
Aline said, “I’m full. I should go.”
Elsie watched her retreating figure, frowning slightly. She got up and walked to the door, grabbing Aline’s hand and signing. “Are you sure you te okay?”
Aline jerked her hand back as if she’d been burned. She couldn’t look Elsie in the eye, mumbling, “I’m fine.”
Then she fled.
Elsie stood at the doo
door, watching Aline disappear down the hallway, sense of unease creeping into her heart.
She closed the door and returned to the table. As she stared at the leftover food, she s
suddenly lost her appetite.
Aline ran until she reached a dimly lit alley, finally stopping. She leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. Under the yellow streetlight, her face looked especially pale. She pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes from her pocket. She lit one and took a deep drag.
After cleaning up the kitchen, Elsie felt tired and sat down on the cooch. She curled up on the sofa, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the thin silver bracelet on her left wrist-a gift from Cedric,
Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the silence. The screen flashed with “Monica. Elsie hesitated for a moment before answering the video call.
Monica’s kind face appeared on the screen, her voice full of concern, Elsie, how have you been? Is your health improving?”
Elsie forced a smile and signed, Grandma, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
She deliberately avoided the chaotic room behind her, ensuring that the camera focused solely on herself. This apartment was worlds apart from the villa she used to live in. She didn’t want Monid to see it and worry.
Monica said, “I miss you. I want to come visit.”
Elsie’s heart tightened, and she quickly signed, “Grandma, I have to go to the hospital for treatment soon. It’s not a good time. I’ll visit you when I can, okay?
“Treatment? For your mutism? Monica’s voice, was full of worry.
It’s nothing, Grandma, just a routine check-up.
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Chapter 54
Monica looked disappointed but nodded. “Alright, take care of yourself Call If you need anything.”
Fisie ended the call, letting out a long sigh. She had dodged Monic visit this time, but her heart felt
She w
walked the window, looking out at the brightly lit city, a wave of tadneti washing over her
Just then, het phone buzzed
an anonymous text, Including a viden.
halp
In the video, under a dim streetlight, Aline was arguing with some gh-looking men. One of the men grabbed Aline’s h
shouting angrily.
“Aline, you think you’re some kind of saint? I’m warning you, I’m warning you, don’t try any tricks.
Aline struggled, her face full of feat.
The video cut off. The text message containeil only a briel warning: De careful of Aline. Don’t get involved with herj
Elsie was stunned, her phone slipping from her hand and falling onto the carpet.
She couldn’t believe Aline was mixed up with people like that. Did Aline really have ulterior motives for letting her rent the place? So last night, when Aline hastily departed, it was to seek out these individuals?
She picked up her phone, replaying the video over and over. Aline’s terrified expression was burned into her mind. She thought
about all of Aline’s strange behavior, her evasive explanations.
Elsie thought, Aline, what are you hiding?’
Elsie’s heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. Aline’s terrified gaze, warning text message all swirled in her mind.
the
man’s vicious curses, and that ominously
She tried to calm herself. She told herself that maybe Aline was just in some trouble and needed help. She quickly threw on a jacket, grabbed her phone, and rushed out of the apartment.
Elsie ran downstairs to Aline’s door, knocking hard. Only silence answered her. She knocked again, still no response. She pulled out her phone and called Aline. A cold, mechanical voice answered, “Sorry, the number you have dialed is turned off.”
A chill ran down her spine, her heart clenching. Had something really happened to Aline? The dim hallway light made it hard to breathe, her chest tightening.
She hurried downstairs to the corner store. The shopkeeper was dozing on the counter; upon hearing a noise, he groggily lifted his
head.
“Need something?”
“Excuse me,
have you seen the girl from upstairs? She…”Elsie bit her lip nervously, quickly typing on her phone.
The shopkeeper rubbed his eyes, trying to recall.
i wot in a cab.”
“Oh, you mean the girl with the flashy clothes? She left with a suitcase and got
“Left? Do you know where she went?”
Elsie’s heart sank, a sense of dread filling her.
No idea, she didn’t say.” The shopkeeper yawned. ‘She’s been here while; I have no clue what she’s up to.”
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Chapter 54
An anonymous text, a strangeiden. Everything pointed to a terrifying conjecture: Aline wa concealing far too much. But why did she leave? What was her goal?
nam with a hidden past.
Elsie felt a chill run through her. She stumbled back to her apartmen, Iacking the door, leaning weakly against it.
Elie wanted to find Aline; she was really worried about her. No matter what Aline unintentional help had made Elsie feel warm
s intentions were, their time together and Alimes
The anonymous sender might knew something. Elsie shakily pulled the text, dialing the number.
“Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service”
The cold, mechanical voice shattered her last hope. Not in service? w could that be?
Fear washed over her like a wave, engulfing her. She hugged herself ghtly, curling up in the corner, her body trembling uncontrollably.
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