The young sales associate, though slightly embarrassed, maintained his professionalism and quickly offered a polite smile. "Of course. I’ll step aside and won’t disturb you. If you need anything, just let know."
He retreated obediently, aware that the couple exuded an air of wealth and influence, making it unwise to offend them.
As he watched Ella from a distance, a thought struck him. "Wait... isn’t that Mrs. Nelson? The one everyone was talking about recently—miscarriage and a brain tumor? And that must be Eric! No wonder they seed so familiar!"
Ella had gone through about a dozen strollers before narrowing it down to three favorites. Eric, ever indulgent, instructed the sales associate to order all three.
At this high-end boutique, bulk purchases often ca with perks like complintary delivery, so anything Ella lingered on for more than a mont was imdiately added to the list.
"This crib is adorable! So cute and charming!" Ella exclaid, stopping in front of a wooden crib.
The crib was made from eco-friendly solid wood, unpainted but with a delightful design that had Ella captivated at first sight.
"Then let’s get this one," Eric said with a smile. "And we should pick out so clothes as well. Most of what we’ve prepared is for a girl. Shouldn’t we get a few things for a boy, just in case?"
Ella nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes! I’m really hoping for twins—a boy and a girl, a perfect pair!"
It was natural to hope for the best. A son and a daughter would be ideal, but regardless of whether they had two boys, two girls, or one of each, Ella and Eric knew they would love their children dearly.
As they continued browsing, a flirtatious voice floated over.
"Oh, you’re so naughty! Can’t you help out a little? How am I supposed to manage all this on my own?"
Ella cringed slightly at the overly saccharine tone. Curious, she glanced up to see which man might be drawn to such an overly coquettish woman.
But when she raised her eyes, her smile froze.
Eric noticed her sudden shift and followed her gaze.
There stood Richard, next to a sultry-looking woman, his expression one of mild irritation but no active resistance.
The woman’s outfit was strikingly provocative, and she wore high heels to complete the look.
Was this Richard’s new fla?
Hadn’t Alia ntioned that Richard had been trying to win her back? How had things turned into... this?
Eric’s face darkened as well. Alia and Richard were his childhood friends, a pair he had always believed would be perfect together. Yet here was Richard, entangled with soone else.
"That woman is one of our new talents, lissa," Eric said, his tone laced with disapproval. "A third-rate actress. I can’t believe Richard’s been fooling around with her."
Eric’s furrowed brow mirrored Ella’s feelings. She grabbed his arm and began walking toward Richard.
"Richard, fancy seeing you here," Ella said with a calm, asured tone.
Richard turned at the sound of her voice, his mouth twitching awkwardly. "Oh, Ella, Eric... what a coincidence."
Ella recognized lissa imdiately. She had t her at a birthday party for Tiffany, who was, in reality, Hannah.
She never thought Richard’s taste would sink to this level—interested in soone so... unimpressive.
"Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Nelson. What a pleasant surprise!" lissa greeted them with a bright smile, masking any discomfort. After all, Eric was her boss, and offending him would be unwise.
Though lissa secretly looked down on Ella and envied her, she kept her outward deanor warm and approachable, carefully playing the part of the cheerful subordinate.
"Miss Johnson, you’re shopping for baby clothes here... does that an you’re pregnant?" Ella asked, giving lissa a once-over. She was dressed in a tight black dress and red high heels—hardly the look of soone prioritizing the well-being of a pregnancy.
It was clear she wasn’t genuinely considering the welfare of the baby she claid to carry.
"Yes, I heard Mrs. Nelson is expecting too. Congratulations," lissa replied with a smile, though she looked slightly uneasy at Ella’s cool deanor.
"Congratulations to you as well," Ella said lightly before turning her gaze to Richard. "Richard, is she your new girlfriend?"
Richard nodded, his face devoid of joy or excitent. "Yes, she’s my new girlfriend."
Ella gave a faint smile. "I’d heard you and Alia had a falling out. I thought you just needed so ti to cool off. I didn’t expect you to move on so quickly."
lissa, sensing the subtle tension, nervously clung to Richard’s arm. "We’re very happy together. I hope Mrs. Nelson will bless us!"
Ella was taken aback. She hadn’t said much of anything, but lissa’s words made it sound like Ella was the villain in a fairytale, while lissa played the innocent Snow White.
"Miss Johnson, are you really pregnant? Congratulations, Richard—you’re going to be a father. But if there’s really a baby involved, you need to take responsibility as a father. You can’t just treat this casually," Eric interjected. Though clearly displeased, he maintained a casual tone.
Richard’s face darkened. "Eric, let’s grab so drinks tonight. We’re not stopping until we’re drunk!"
Ella noticed Richard’s lack of enthusiasm and started piecing things together.
Richard, typically soft-hearted, probably still loved Alia. But lissa clearly had her ways, and it was likely she’d used manipulation to entangle him.
"Miss Johnson, your earlier comnt painted as a villain. But if you’re truly in love, of course I’ll wish you happiness. However..." Ella’s gaze sharpened slightly as she continued, "Are you really pregnant? If you are, why are you wearing high heels? Most pregnant won avoid them to prevent accidents."
Ella’s calm yet firm question, delivered with an air of quiet authority, imdiately drained the color from lissa’s face.
She faltered, forcing an awkward smile as she turned to Richard for support. "Richard, I... I didn’t know pregnant won shouldn’t wear heels. I’ve never been pregnant before."
Eric chuckled lightly, pulling Ella close by her waist. His tone was playful but cutting. "They say you don’t have to eat pork to know what a pig looks like. Miss Johnson, are you suggesting you’ve never even seen a pig run?"
lissa’s expression turned even more strained. Grasping Richard’s hand tightly, she stamred, "Richard, I... I didn’t an to. Really."
"Alright, she’s with . As a friend, don’t make this harder for her," Richard said, looking at Ella with faint irritation.
Ella, who had been diligently maintaining a calm and peaceful mindset, felt her composure waver. She had deliberately avoided the internet to stay clear of the hateful comnts from Hannah’s fans.
But seeing Richard now, she couldn’t stay indifferent.
"Richard, I’m speaking up because I consider you a friend. I don’t want to see you deceived so easily," Ella said coldly.
lissa, emboldened by Richard’s support, imdiately put on a harsher tone. "Mrs. Nelson, what do you an by that? How can you speak like this?"
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