Chapter 137 - 137: Avery’s Pregnancy

Leonie feels like her head might explode. Before she can think things through, she crosses the room and shoves David off of Avery. Frantically, she begins digging through the medical kit.

"I don't buy it," Leonie says, "Taking a pulse is not an accurate way to determine pregnancy. Take the pregnancy test out."

Leonie's frantic move doesn't frighten Avery. She gives David a grateful look and feels a weight easing from her chest.

"Is David helping me?" Avery wonders, "I deliberately disclosed my torment to him because I know he's loyal to Evan. I was hoping he'd help me, but I never expected that he'd go this far for me. Though this is only a makeshift plan, it's a good one. David must know that pregnancy is the only thing that can change Francis Howel's mind. The only downside is explaining that it was all a lie to Evan when he comes back—he'll be so disappointed."

This last thought brings a sharp pang of pain with it. Avery freezes suddenly, shocked by her own thoughts.

"What am I doing?" she wonders, "Am I really upset that I'm not actually having a child with Evan? I need to get it together."

"Miss Summers, are you unhappy with Dr. Walter's diagnosis?" Avery asks.

David takes the medical kit from Leonie.

"I'm not unhappy," she said quickly, "I just think this sort of news is far too important to risk any inaccuracy, and a pregnancy test is the only way to really be sure.                        

Don't you agree with me, Dr. Walter?"

David nods reluctantly.

"Yes, we can't hear the fetus accurately when it is too small," he says, "The most reliable method is the HCG blood test, but the urination test is the best in the absence of the equipment for the HCG."

"Get someone to buy one," Leonie commands.

"There's no need," David says, "I have a spare one."

David opens the medical kit and takes the pregnancy test out. He offers it to Avery. Avery hesitates for a moment and then takes it.

"Come on, go to the toilet," Leonie says, twisting her hands impatiently, "Why are you hesitating? Are you guilty of something perhaps?"

"Go already!" Mrs. Florence Howel commands, desperate to know the truth.

Avery tightens her fist around the stick. She recalls David's assuring look and forces herself to calmly walk to the toilet. When she emerges from the bathroom, she passes the stick of David. He stares at it and his shoulders tense. Leonie strides across the room and tries to read the results.

"Two lines," he said gravely, "That means that Mrs. Howel is pregnant."

Leonie's face looks desperate and stricken. She takes a step back. Then she steps forward and grabs the test from him. Her look darkens when she sees the lines for herself. She knows it's almost impossible to fool this kind of pregnancy test. Avery is really pregnant.

"If Avery is pregnant, everything will change," Leonie thinks with panic, "Avery will get priority again, and I'll go back to being a nobody."

Mrs. Florence Howel's hand begins to shake. It's only a matter of time before her husband finds out and insists she treats Avery with the utmost respect. Within minutes, a maid rushes in carrying a phone.

"Mrs. Florence Howel, it's your husband," the maid announces.

It's a brief conversation. After hanging up, Mrs. Florence Howel gives Avery a grudging look.

"Please, help Mrs. Howel sit down," she orders, "And ask the kitchen to prepare a pregnancy meal."

Avery can tell that Francis Howel has already received the news. She knows this secures her priority within the household, and she smiles calmly at her former tormentors.

"I recall someone once said that a person's clothes determine their station in life," Avery says cooly, "It appears that somehow, I'm in a maid's uniform. According to you, that means I don't have the right to sit down at the family table."

"Avery! I've offered you a choice here," Mrs. Florence Howel says with exasperation, "Don't be foolish!"

"Dr. Walter, I heard that too much standing during the first months of pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage," Avery says archly, "Is that true?"

David smiles and nods. Once again, Avery has found a way to irritate Mrs. Florence Howel.

"It's true," he agrees.

"Well then, as I stand here, I'll do some serious thinking," Avery says, "If I miscarry and Mr. Howel asks who's to blame, I'll need to have an answer prepared."

"How can I make you sit down?" Mrs. Florence Howel asks desperately.

"I seem to remember someone kicked me in the back before," Avery says.

Maureen makes a terrified expression as her boss turns a cold eye on her.

"Mrs. Howel, I was just—"

"Kneel and apologize to Mrs. Howel," Florence orders.

Maureen drops to her knees in front of Avery.

"Mrs. Howel, I'm so sorry," Maureen pleads, "I shouldn't have kicked you. Please show me mercy."

"Dr. Walter, do you have any medication for any injury I may have sustained from the kick?" Avery asks.

Avery's back does ache where Maureen kicked her. Maureen desperately grabs the hem of Avery's dress, and Avery recoils in shock and disgust.

"Mrs. Howel, it's my fault," Maureen whimpers, "I'm so very sorry. Please don't tell Mr. Howel."

Maureen begins to slap herself across the face, discoloring her skin. The slapping noises distress Avery. She pulls out a chair and sinks into it.

"That's enough," Avery says, "I'll sit down."

Leonie's face is inflamed with rage. She can't abide by Avery's smug look. She looked worriedly at Mrs. Florence Howel and wonders what the older woman feels. One call from her husband has seemingly changed her entire attitude toward Avery.

The plate with the raw, bloody steak sits on the table in front of Avery. Avery frowns. Before she can say anything about the disgusting meal, Maureen rushes over and pulls the plate away.

"Mrs. Howel, this isn't for you," Maureen says, "It was an honest mistake."

"Oh, it's not for me?" Avery asks calmly, "Who is it for? It can't be for nobody, can it?"

Maureen hesitates for a moment.

"No, it's for me," she said finally, "I like raw steak."

She opens her mouth and takes a big bite of the raw steak. The red blood drips along her mouth and stains her chin. Leonie's eyes widen in horror and sympathy.

"Avery, don't push it!" Leonie says.

"Who's pushing it?" Avery retorts, "I'm not the one who brought the mother of Evan Howel's child a raw steak. If she had brought me a cooked steak, she'd be eating that right now. I'm just returning her gesture."

"Avery!" Leonie wails.

She wanted to use Mrs. Florence Howel's favor to further humiliated and torment Avery, and she can't believe that Avery has completely foiled her plans. She begins to worry about her birthday celebration.

"Mrs. Florence Howel has invited noble families and famous celebrities to help smooth my future as Evan's wife, but Avery's pregnancy will destroy everything," Leonie thinks bitterly, "I can't have that!"

Suddenly a spiteful idea occurs to Leonie; she sneers involuntarily but quickly composes her face. The maid brings Avery a plate of wholesome food fit for a pregnant woman. Avery looks at the food and frowns, her face sagging into her hands.

"I suddenly don't have an appetite," Avery says.

"What a diva!" Mrs. Florence Howel thinks bitterly.

She loathes Avery, and she hates that she suddenly has to hide her hatred. She takes a deep breath and smiles politely at Avery.

"What do you want to eat?" she asks.

Avery tilts her head at Leonie and smiles.

"Miss Summers, I've been thinking about the fish soup you made for Evan," Avery says sweetly.

Leonie suddenly gets up and slams her small palm onto the tabletop. The silverware and china shake and clink.

"You want me to cook for you like some common maid?" Leonie hisses, "Don't push it!"

"So you don't want to?" Aver asks innocently, "I guess that's fine. I'll just go the next few days without eating, I suppose."