"Eight weeks pregnant," the doctor said, breaking Noah’s trance.

Noah’s breathing turned heavy. Tension was all over his face. "With her heart condition, is pregnancy even safe for her?" he asked skeptically.

The doctor adjusted the glasses, hiding the flicker of nervousness in his eyes. Of course, he knew the truth.

Actually, Tessa had no heart condition. She was faking it. Her reports had been manipulated carefully enough to avoid suspicion, and he had accepted a huge amount of money to cooperate with her.

Now he had no choice but to continue the lie.

"It’s indeed a matter of concern, Mr. Sinclair. Pregnancy will place additional stress on Miss Tessa’s heart. A patient with her condition can’t be treated like an ordinary pregnant woman."

Noah’s heart sank. "You mean it’s dangerous."

"There are risks," the doctor admitted. "She may experience breathlessness, chest discomfort, or fatigue during the pregnancy. Emotional stress will only worsen her condition."

Noah’s brows tightened further. "Then should she terminate the pregnancy?"

The doctor immediately shook his head. "But Miss Tessa strongly wishes to keep the baby. If we pressure her into terminating the pregnancy, the emotional distress could negatively affect her condition." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Noah ran a hand through his hair. He couldn’t understand how to convince Tessa either.

"At the moment, abortion isn’t necessary," the doctor continued. "I’ve arranged additional tests for her. Let the reports come out first. Then we’ll determine whether the pregnancy can continue safely."

Noah let out a small sigh. He nodded. "Thanks, doctor. Please inform me as soon as the report is ready."

"Sure." The doctor went into his office.

Noah hung his head down and started walking back to Tessa’s room.

Just as he rounded the corner, he noticed Elena going out of the hospital with a man. His steps halted.

"What is she doing here?" His eyes narrowed.

’She probably came to bring her aunt for treatment,’ his mind reasoned.

But it didn’t ease him. His brows furrowed when he saw her walking by another man. He remembered Linda telling him that a man was taking Elena along.

’It must be that man. Who is he? What is he doing with her?’

The questions made him restless.

He followed them.

"Elena," he called.

But she didn’t hear him. She simply got into the man’s car.

Noah quickened his steps. "Elena, wait. Where do you think you are going?"

Inside the car, Elena still didn’t hear his voice, but Elias did. Through his peripheral view, he saw Noah storming over furiously. Yet he pretended not to notice anything. He settled beside her and closed the door.

"Drive."

The driver pulled the car away.

"Elena..." Noah broke into a run.

His phone rang inside his pocket. He stopped running, breathing heavily.

"Hello?" he answered the call, slightly breathless.

"Mr. Sinclair, Miss Tessa is asking for you."

"I’m coming."

He stood there, watching the car disappear into the distance.

"Elena," he muttered through his gritted teeth, fury burning in his eyes. "You found another man behind my back. You think you can get away from me."

A dangerous possessiveness rose inside him.

"Never. Let me deal with Tessa’s matter first. Then I’ll keep you locked with me forever."

He went back to the hospital.

When he returned to the room, he found Tessa lying weakly in the bed.

Tessa’s face lit up with a smile. "You came."

Noah’s gaze softened. He clasped her hand. "I’m right here."

Tessa gently put her cheek on the back of his hand. "I don’t know how long I’ll live. But I am happy I am pregnant. I want to spend the rest of the time with you and our baby."

Her eyes turned moist. "Please take me home. I don’t want to be here anymore."

Noah caressed her hair. "Yes, I’ll take you home once the doctor discharges you."

A trace of doubt crossed his face. "Tessa, are you sure you want to keep this baby?"

Tessa lifted her head, surprise crossing her face. "What do you mean? You don’t want this baby?"

The wounded look on her face tightened his chest. "No...That’s not what I meant. I’m worried. With your heart condition..."

"I want this baby, no matter what," she said before he could finish his sentence.

"But Tessa... The doctor said it’s risky. What if your condition worsens?"

"Then what do you want me to do, huh?" she snapped irritably. "Kill our baby?"

Her voice cracked. "It’s our baby, Noah." She clutched her stomach. "I can’t lose my child."

Noah’s heart clenched. Suddenly, Elena’s pale face after the miscarriage flashed through his mind.

Perhaps Elena had also felt the same fear and desperation back then.

"Noah, are you listening to me?" Tessa’s voice broke his trance. "I want to keep this baby."

Noah hesitated for a moment. "I talked to the doctor. He said he ran some tests again. If the reports are fine, you can keep the baby."

Tessa grinned. She leaned into him. "I know my reports will be normal."

She hid a sly grin.

She knew Noah had been looking for a donor desperately. He had even started contacting illegal black-market channels. It was just a matter of time before he would get a suitable donor.

Above all, Noah would send her back abroad once her condition was improved. Tessa wouldn’t leave him this time. She had returned to claim him and to be by his side forever, not to be separated again.

Now that she was almost successful in driving Elena out of his life, how could she back down?

’Elena can never return to his side as long as I’m with him.’

The door opened, and the doctor entered. "The reports are ready."

Both Noah and Tessa turned.

Tessa’s eyes shone with a knowing smirk. She had already instructed the doctor what he needed to say.

"Her condition is currently stable. As long as she receives proper care, avoids stress, takes medication on time, and undergoes regular checkups, the pregnancy can continue safely."

Relief slowly spread across Noah’s tense face.

"But you must be extremely careful," the doctor added sternly. "She cannot be agitated or emotionally hurt. Even small stimulation may affect both the mother and the baby."

Noah’s eyes immediately filled with concern.

"She needs complete rest," the doctor continued. "No emotional shocks. No arguments. No excessive physical exhaustion. And most importantly..."

He darted at Tessa for a moment before resting on Noah.

"She needs someone she can rely on emotionally. Pregnancy itself is stressful enough. If her emotions fluctuate too much, it could worsen her condition."

Noah nodded slowly, guilt already creeping into his chest. He failed to take care of her properly these days, giving Elena the opportunities to hurt her again and again. But he wouldn’t let that happen anymore. He wouldn’t let Elena get close to Tessa.

"I understand."

The doctor continued calmly, "I’ll prescribe supplements and medications for her. Bring her for regular monitoring every month. If she experiences chest pain, fainting, breathing difficulty, or severe weakness, bring her to the hospital immediately."

"I will," Noah answered firmly.

Tessa quietly listened to everything, satisfaction flashing through her eyes. She gently put her hand on her stomach.

’Noah can never leave me,’ she mumbled to herself. ’He will never go back to Elena again.’

A vicious smile curled her lips.