Chapter 92

"Of course! Who else would accompany you to your prenatal appointment? Should we let that scoundrel Liam near you?" Natalie declared passionately before launching into a tirade about Liam's failings as a father.

Olivia responded with a serene smile, silently conveying they should focus on their happiness rather than past grievances.

"You're absolutely right," Natalie agreed with an emphatic nod.

They spent the evening chatting over midnight snacks before Natalie stayed over. At dawn, they set out for Mercy Hospital together.

Natalie initially proposed inviting Daniel along, but Olivia declined. She wanted to keep this private, concerned about potential misunderstandings if Daniel attended the prenatal visit.

Choosing the Whitmore family's hospital where she'd first discovered her pregnancy, Olivia hoped to minimize any chance of Liam learning about her medical visit.

"Your test results show improvement in the anemia and malnutrition, but levels still aren't normal. Continued imbalance could affect fetal development," the physician explained while reviewing Olivia's charts, detailing each concerning marker before prescribing specialized supplements.

"These must be taken precisely as directed. You'll need more frequent monitoring than typical expectant mothers, even after stabilization," the doctor emphasized.

"Understood," Natalie answered for Olivia, her brow furrowed with concern. "We'll follow every instruction meticulously."

"Good. Are you family?" The doctor glanced at Natalie. "Where's the father?"

Olivia froze at the unexpected question. Before she could respond, Natalie snapped, "Dead!"

"Oh... My condolences," the doctor stammered, taken aback.

"Save your sympathy. He died in another woman's bed!" Natalie clenched her jaw and gestured toward Olivia. "His betrayal caused her condition. That bastard broke her heart!"

"I... see." The physician clearly hadn't anticipated such drama from a routine question. After offering additional care instructions, he quickly dismissed them.

"Don't overexert yourself," Natalie cautioned as they exited the hospital.

Olivia shook her head - work brought her solace.

"Then work remotely! William thought of everything - your apartment has a full restoration studio now. No need to visit the office!" Natalie insisted. "But promise you'll rest when needed!"

Olivia nodded with a grateful smile.

Truthfully, losing herself in restoration work helped Olivia escape emotional pain - a coping mechanism Natalie might not fully understand, so Olivia kept silent about it.

"At least there are no dietary restrictions, so—" Natalie's sentence cut off abruptly.

They'd just exited obstetrics when Evelyn and Liam appeared from the opposite corridor.

Olivia's pulse spiked. Had Liam discovered her pregnancy? How would she handle this confrontation?

"What are you doing here?" Evelyn sneered before Liam could speak, her gaze raking over Olivia with contempt.

"Little mute, did you catch something disgusting? Is that why you're seeing a gynecologist?" Evelyn's voice dripped with malice.

Natalie fired back instantly. "Shut your filthy mouth! Gynecologists don't treat infections! But you two came from dermatology - getting STD treatment? Projecting much? Did you infect Liam too? Is that why you're both here? Liam, stay away from Olivia with your contagious diseases!"

Natalie's outburst turned Evelyn crimson with rage. "Don't slander me!" she shrieked.

"Slander? I didn't accuse you of slandering Olivia earlier, so why is it slander when it's about you?" Natalie countered fiercely.

Eyes blazing, Evelyn looked ready to strike.

Liam finally intervened. "Enough!"

Then, surprisingly, he explained to Olivia, "We're visiting a mutual friend recovering from burn injuries."

Olivia nodded slowly, taken aback by his unprompted clarification.

"And you?" Liam's gaze dropped to the medical forms peeking from Olivia's bag. He stepped closer, hand outstretched. "What were you tested for? Show me."

Olivia's heartbeat thundered as she clutched the bag behind her. Those papers would reveal everything.

Her evasion only heightened Liam's suspicion. His eyes narrowed dangerously. "What are you hiding from me?"