Zoe whispered:“Yeah… I do. But thank you… for everything. And don’t worry—I promise I won’t stop talking to you.”The two embraced one last time. Zoe gave Otto a restrained nod, grabbed her phone, called an Uber, and walked away without looking back.In the back seat, she couldn’t hold the tears anymore. They fell silently and heavily, carrying the weight of every truth she had pretended not to see.The driver, an older man with graying hair and a gentle gaze, watched her discreetly through the rearview mirror—respecting her silence, but concerned.After a few minutes, he broke the quiet with a calm yet steady voice:“Miss… are you alright?”Zoe didn’t answer. She only shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut as though that could contain the pain.The man let out a slow breath and, still focused on the road, spoke again—this time sounding almost like an omen:“I know everything feels out of place right now… but you don’t realize yet the kind of storm that hit your life overnight. And

The doorknob turned slowly, as if whoever stood on the other side hesitated before entering. A soft creak broke the stillness of the room. Zoe, curled at the edge of the bed with swollen, reddened eyes, lifted her face with effort. When she saw who had come in, her eyes brimmed with fresh tears.“Sweetheart…” Celina murmured, her voice thick with emotion.Zoe stood abruptly. Without thinking, she crossed the room in a handful of steps and wrapped her arms around Celina with desperate strength, as if that embrace was the only thing keeping her sane.Celina hugged her back with tenderness, pulling Zoe against her chest even though her now-heavy pregnancy belly made it difficult. Her voice came steady, soothing—someone standing firm so the other wouldn’t fall apart.“Cry, amiga… let it out. I’m here. Cry as much as you need. I’ll hold you.”And Zoe did. Her eyes shut tight and she broke, crying in a way that sounded like each tear was washing away a piece of the agony burning inside her.

Zoe’s mother replied:“Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll leave you two alone now. But, Zoe… my love… eating is also taking care of yourself. And I know you have that strength somewhere inside you.”She stroked her daughter’s face and, before leaving, kissed Celina’s forehead.“Take care of her, mama-to-be. And take care of yourself too.”When the door closed, Celina walked over with the bowl of soup in her hands. She sat at the edge of the bed and touched Zoe’s shoulder.“Amiga… look at me.”It took a moment, but Zoe finally turned her face, eyes glassy and swollen.“I’m not hungry, Celina…”“But you’re going to eat. Even if it’s just two spoonfuls. It’s not only your body that needs fuel. Your mind, your heart… everything in you is exhausted, I know. But this soup your mother made? It’s more than food. It’s pure love.”She scooped a spoonful and brought it gently to her friend’s lips with a soft but determined smile.“Come on, just one. For me?”Zoe huffed, clearly unwilling. But she opene

Before leaving with Celina, Thor turned to Zoe.“Zoe… I’ve been thinking. You should take a few days off. Come with us to the United States, stay a month there. A change of scenery might do you good.”Zoe smiled faintly but shook her head.“I really appreciate it, Thor. But I can’t. I need to work… more than ever now. Work will help keep my mind busy, and I have to deal with the divorce. I can’t run from any of this. I need to be strong.”Thor nodded, respecting her decision, though concern lingered in his eyes. Celina hugged Zoe and promised to call every single day. Zoe cried, thanking her friend for everything—every sacrifice she had made.On the way back to the penthouse, Celina stared out the car window, lost in thought. Thor drove with one hand on the wheel and the other resting gently on her knee — a silent gesture of comfort.“I keep thinking about them, you know?” she said. “Zoe and Arthur… everything they lived. Their wedding was so beautiful, love, so emotional. I can’t acc

The lawyer stepped closer to the bed where Arthur sat, his expression still worn down by the hospitalization. With a respectful gesture, he extended the brown envelope toward him.“Everything is here, Dr. Arthur. Everything was handled exactly as requested,” he said, his gaze steady and professional.Arthur took the envelope in silence. A dense tension filled the room, the sound of tearing paper feeling far too loud. He removed each document slowly, his eyes scanning the words, the figures, the names. First, the ultrasound. Then the beta-hCG report. Finally, the DNA test.Arthur’s eyes stopped on the result.“Compatible. A 99.99% probability,” he murmured — barely above a whisper, yet everyone heard it.“There was no objection on her part. That confirmed she was telling the truth and that the child is yours. Everything was done within the law, as your father requested. She already has copies of these exams. What happens now is entirely up to you,” the lawyer explained.Otto sprang up