Crushed Affections

For some reason, Bella felt like Hallie was scrutinizing her through those large sunglasses, making her feel slightly uncomfortable.

Hallie suddenly spoke as Bella wondered how to steer the conversation. "How many months along are you?"

She was clearly asking how far along Bella was in her pregnancy.This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.

Bella instinctively placed a hand on her stomach. "Not quite five months. You go ahead and shop. I'll take a look at some maternity clothes."

Hallie suddenly grabbed her wrist. "I've heard about your pregnancy from Victor for some time now. I've been thinking about what kind of gift to get you-nothing too flashy, just something useful. Since the seasons are changing, I figured I'd buy you some comfortable clothes. You'll also need clothes for the baby after it's born."

Bella was momentarily confused. She felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint what. She glanced at Sean, who shrugged as if he didn't know either.

In the end, this trip cost her nothing. She hadn't spent a dime of the money Dominic had transferred to her, nor had she used her own money. Hallie had covered all her expenses, and Bella couldn't refuse.

Back in the car, Bella was still trying to process what had just happened. She asked Cara, "Do you think that this is strange?"

Cara looked genuinely puzzled. "What's strange?"

Bella didn't know how to describe her feelings, so she messaged Sean. "What's going on? Why is your mom buying clothes for me and the baby? Did you say something to her?

Sean jokingly replied, "What? Should I tell my mom that the baby in your belly is mine? I'd be dead before I could finish the sentence. Perhaps it's because you're carrying Dominic's baby. My dad and Dominic get along well. My mom's a bit eccentric and doesn't do things the usual way when giving gifts. You'll get used to it.

"Of course I wish the baby was mine, but you never gave me a chance, did you?"

Bella couldn't help but laugh. She thought that Sean was still as smooth-talking as ever. He was a typical young man, saying whatever came to his mind without a filter.

After arriving home with many shopping bags, Bella took pictures of the things Hallie had bought and sent them to Dominic, asking him to thank k Victor. Although she had already thanked Hallie in person, she felt that Dominic should still express his gratitude.

Dominic didn't reply. Bella figured that he was probably treating her like she was invisible now. After all, there was no need for further words between them. The next prenatal checkup appointment came around. Dominic showed up uninvited but didn't go upstairs. Instead, he stayed in the car downstairs.

This entire spring had been filled with rain, and that day was no exception. A light drizzle fell from a grey, overcast sky as if it were holding back a heavier storm. Cara dropped Bella off at Dominic's car and headed to the market with an umbrella. Bella buckled her seatbelt and quietly apologized, "Sorry for the trouble."

Dominic didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. His expression was as indifferent as if he were a lifeless shell.

Bella suddenly felt something hard poking at her. When she reached down to pull it out, she discovered a lady's earring. It was crystal-clear with a four-leaf clover design

She had heard that four-leaf clovers represented luck. But right now, was she lucky or unlucky?

She held the earring up to him with a slight smile. "I'm not sure who left this in your car, but please return it to its owner next time." Dominic didn't even look up. "If it's something that someone can lose, it means they probably didn't care about it. Just throw it away."