When her medicine ran out, she didn't refill it.
It might have been her imagination, but strong-smelling foods made her nauseous to the point of vomiting.
Evan suggested it might be morning sickness, normal during pregnancy, and she didn't think much of it.
She ate regularly, and her stomachache lessened, though occasional discomfort lingered.
One day, Claire visited.
Her attitude was vastly different, offering to care for Zoe.
Zoe remained silent, lowering her lashes as she ate.
Evan declined, aware of their mutual dislike.
It was just pregnancy.
Another month passed.
Zoe barely spoke to him, and Evan assumed she was avoiding him.
After lunch, "I want to visit my parents," she whispered, her voice feather-light.
Evan stroked her belly. "Alright, I'll accompany you."
Zoe looked up at the overcast sky. "Can I go alone?"
"No," he frowned.
"Alright." She agreed readily.
At the cemetery, Zoe wanted to spend some time alone with her parents and asked Evan to step out.
He watched her for a moment before complying.
Unlike before, she didn't speak or cry this time. Instead, she traced the cold tombstone with a hollow gaze.
Eventually, Zoe staggered to her feet and walked out.
At the entrance, Evan shook off Jocelyn's hand. "Don't you understand what I'm saying?"
"No, Evan, please... don't treat me like this... I'll listen to you, I promise I will."
Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to grab his hand again.
Having finally clutched onto a golden opportunity, she wouldn't let go easily. No way!
"Let me go," Evan growled impatiently, tired of their public tussle.
"No... don't abandon me... sob sob sob..."Jocelyn wept, clinging to him like an octopus.
Those words... they were eerily familiar.
Yes, during their courtship, Zoe would plead similarly with teary eyes whenever they argued, "Don't abandon me."
He was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at the top of Jocelyn's head.
Meanwhile, Zoe watched the scene coldly.
Watched him pull Jocelyn into his arms.
Jocelyn lifted her head from his shoulder, spotting Zoe nearby.
Despite her sobs, she smiled. An outdated, washed-up woman, daring to compete with her?
She walked over, ignoring them both, and opened the car's rear door.
Evan released Jocelyn, staring at Zoe with a mix of frustration and disbelief.
She shut the door.
He irritably addressed Jocelyn, "You should go first."
"Ah... Evan... I came by taxi. Could you drive me back? It looks like it's going to rain."
Indeed, dark clouds threatened an imminent downpour.
He said nothing, entering the car.
Taking his silence as agreement, Jocelyn happily climbed into the passenger seat.
Evan felt uneasy, glancing back at the silent Zoe.
She seemed to be looking at him, yet through him, at someone else.
Unsettled, he looked away, fidgeting with his tie before starting the engine.
Zoe touched her belly, diverting her gaze to the car window.
Jocelyn had no intention of engaging her, plotting how to reclaim Evan's heart.
Men always liked fragile-looking women, and she excelled at playing the part.
