Carter remained silent throughout the ride, his expression unreadable.
He drove Aria to the door of her house, then, without a word, turned and left.
The car disappeared into the distance, leaving Aria standing there, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions swirling in her mind.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Bella sat in front of the doctor, her hands trembling as she listened to the results.
When the words finally hit her, she felt her stomach lurch in disbelief. "I'm pregnant?"
"Yes, Miss Parker. Congratulations, it's been more than two months! However, your body is quite frail, and due to some previous health issues, there are signs of a possible miscarriage. Please be cautious—avoid any falls, and come for regular check-ups. It would be best for you to stay in the hospital for a few days for observation."
"Okay, thank you, doctor!" Bella's voice was a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
She turned to Ryder, who was standing beside her, and grabbed his hand eagerly. "Ryder, did you hear that? We're having a baby!"
Ryder simply nodded, his face unreadable, a slight grunt escaping his lips. "Yeah."
---
Back at home, Aria still felt like she was walking through a fog, barely able to grasp the reality of her new life.
She had become a married woman overnight, and every day felt like she was drifting through a haze.
Her mind would often wander, flashing different scenarios, making her feel anxious and unsure.
"What's happening to me?" she thought.
Was it the pregnancy that was making her so emotional and confused?
One afternoon, as she was preparing some coffee, she absentmindedly tore open a packet of coffee grounds.
Then, she suddenly remembered something and switched to using milk powder instead.
As she moved to set everything up, her phone buzzed, lighting up with a name she hadn't expected to see—Carter Montgomery.
Her heart skipped a beat as she stared at the screen.
She took a deep breath before answering. "Hello, it's me."
"Make time tomorrow night or this weekend. Come over for dinner." Carter's voice was as cold as ever, and before Aria could even respond, the call was disconnected.
Aria stood there, fuming with frustration.
"What the hell! What does he think he's doing?!" she muttered to herself, pacing the room.
She had been so distracted by the unexpected news, she almost forgot she had work to do. S
So, she spent the rest of the afternoon buried in her tasks.
When she finally sat down to think, it hit her just how strange everything had become.
Her mother had been more than thrilled when she heard about her dinner invitation from Carter.
But then, her mother had surprised her even more by saying, "My baby, feelings can't be rushed! They have to be cultivated! A man willing to take responsibility can't be all bad. After everything you've been through, you should know how tough society can be on women. Since you've already gotten the certificate, this is a formal marriage now. You must take care of it and avoid making any mistakes, okay? We're not asking for wealth or power, just for peace and stability."
Aria's mother sighed softly before continuing. "Unfortunately, with our current situation, we can no longer provide you with strong support. But you still have a chance. Take it. If things don't work out, at least you can always come home. We'll always have food for you."
Aria understood her mother's worries.
She knew that her mother had rushed to agree to the marriage to help break her free from her past with Ryder.
It wasn't just about the pregnancy, her mother wanted her to secure a future where Aria could be protected.
Still, as much as she understood her mother's intentions, it didn't ease the knot in her stomach. "I'll do my best," Aria reassured her mother, though deep down, she had no real idea what the future held.
"I promise, Mom. I won't have any contact with Ryder again. I didn't before, and I won't now. I'll be happy. I'll make this work."
Her words were firm, though her heart was still uncertain.
As for Carter Montgomery, she didn't know what would happen with him.
She could only try her best and let fate take care of the rest.
If this really was the famous Carter Montgomery from the Montgomery family of Excellence International, everything would be beyond her control anyway.
"Alright, then," her mother said, brightening up. "Take some time tomorrow to buy new clothes. Buy something nice, like Dior or Celine. It's important to make a good impression when you visit someone's house for the first time!"
"Okay!" Aria agreed, trying to keep her mood light.
She felt an unexpected lump in her throat.
Celine.
It used to be their family's favorite mid-to-high-end brand.
Every year, her mother would buy a few new pieces, but for the past three years, they hadn't been able to afford it.
Now, for them, it was almost a luxury.