Rachel forced an awkward smile. She then lowered her head and pretended to pack up. "I don't have time tonight. I have to get home and take care of my son," she said nonchalantly.
"Your son?" Jay's jaw dropped and he gave a look of genuine surprise. "Rachel, you have a son?"
"Yes, and he's already three years old. He has just started kindergarten. I need to go back and pick him up from school." Rachel passed him by and added, "Call me if you need help with anything."
"Oh, okay. But, Rachel, are you really not available tonight?" Jay asked again, almost pleadingly.
Rachel spun around. She smiled at him and replied, "No, I really don't have time. Happy birthday, Jay. Have a great one!"
However, this incident struck an alarm in Rachel's mind and her chest beat rapidly. She was afraid that Jack would make a mountain out of a molehill if he found out about this. She shouldn't underestimate his jealousy.
She didn't want any trouble with her marriage. A lot of similar things happened in the past and they ended up pretty bad.
The incident troubled her a great deal. The next day, she summoned Jay to her office and told him, "Jay, I've arranged for Dr. Wang to handle your internship. She's also from the same department. You may direct your concerns at her from now on."
"But, why?" Jay frowned and asked. "Rachel, did I do anything wrong? Or is it because—"
Rachel raised her hand and interrupted his speech midway. Her temples were throbbing. 'How should I handle this?' she asked herself. She knew she couldn't just blurt out, "I think you have a crush on me. This will not work out well, so it's bet
p with her mother-in-law would spell disaster to her marriage.
This routine had gone on for more than a month. She noticed that she grew tired more easily and her face was paler than usual.
That night, the four of them sat around the dinner table. Everyone had just picked up their chopsticks when Marcus noted Celia's pale complexion and asked in a worried voice, "Celia, aren't you feeling well? Why do you look so pale these days?"
She shook her head in response. "I'm fine."
However, as soon as she finished her reply, she caught the scent of braised pork from the table. The smell nauseated her. She dropped her chopsticks, stood up, and ran to the bathroom. Everyone was surprised. Celia, having vomited for quite some time, emerged from the bathroom. She felt much better.
The sound of his wife's vomiting made Marcus very anxious. As soon as she came out from the bathroom, he grabbed her by the wrist and led her outside. "I'll take you to the hospital, now."
"Thanks, but you don't have to." Celia freed herself from Marcus' grip. She stood still and took a moment's look at her in-laws. Both were still at the dining table. She could trace the annoyance on her mother-in-law's face.
She let out a deep sigh and said, in a loud enough voice so that everyone could hear, "I'm not sick. I'm pregnant."
Her news struck the Ji household like lightning. Everyone was too shocked to react.
Marcus' father recovered his senses first. The news made him very happy but he still put on airs. He pretended to cough and said, "Since you're not sick, come here, and join us. Let's continue our dinner, shall we?"