Chapter 3
The next day, Michael still got no reply from me.
He was getting restless. He called home, and the housekeeper answered, "Mrs. Grant is having her afternoon tea right now. She said she doesn't want to talk to you. She said this time, she's going to make sure you learn your lesson."
Even my annoyed voice could be heard on the other end of the line.
I had to admit that Pearl had it all figured out when she decided to kill me.
She paid off the staff at home and used AI to fake my voice.
And it just so happened that Michael and I were in the middle of a fight.
He didn't dare push me too hard to pick up the phone.
But honestly, even if Michael had insisted on a call or a video chat, Pearl would've left no room for error. She was that meticulous.
So, she managed to fool Michael without a hitch.
He told the maid to make sure I got my meals on time, hung up, took a quick breather, and then went straight back to grinding away at work.
Watching him chug black coffee nonstop, I knew he was aching for me, desperate to see me again.
But what was I supposed to do?
Michael, we'd never see each other again.
But he had no idea. His mind was only on sealing the deal and getting back home to me as fast as he could.
When he finally dragged himself back to the hotel, exhausted, I saw him gently running his fingers over the framed photo of us on the wall.
Under the dim, warm light, his sharp profile was softened by the glow, and those usually cold, deep eyes were touched with warmth, making him look unexpectedly gentle and tender.
He'd clawed his way up from nothing, fighting tooth and nail for every inch of success.
He used to be cold, ruthless, and hard to get close to.
But as his company expanded, he learned to smooth out his rough edges, becoming more diplomatic and adaptable, able to handle whatever came his way.
He wasn't even the man I'd once treasured above all else anymore.
Sometimes, I wondered if his love for me had ever truly stayed the same.
Or maybe, just like all the rumors and gossip columns said, he'd started to be drawn to Pearl's bright, dazzling charm.
I never used to believe any of that.
But when Pearl humiliated me in front of everyone, and he still turned around and brought her into the company, that was when I really started to doubt him.
Honestly, it really freaked me out.
So I lost it. I totally snapped.
And that was how things were the last time we saw each other.
It was a completely irrational fight. I didn't even want to remember all the cruel things I threw at him.
It was messy, pathetic, and just plain degrading.
I drifted over to Michael, rested my head on his shoulder, and softly whispered, "I got you wrong. I'm sorry."
Michael suddenly paused, his pen hovering in the air. For a moment, I wondered if maybe he could sense I was there.
I glanced up at him, hope flickering in my eyes before I even realized it.
Not being able to talk to anyone was pure torture.
But just then, his phone started ringing out of nowhere.
It was the hospital calling.
"Hi, are you Vivian Grant's family?" came the voice on the other end.
"She came in for a prenatal checkup a week ago, and we've confirmed she's about a month pregnant. Just wanted to let you know," the doctor said.
After the doctor said that, Michael shot up from his seat, his face lighting up with a mix of shock and pure joy. He asked the doctor to confirm it three times, just to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Once he finally got the confirmation, Michael was so ecstatic that he was almost in tears, his eyes reddening with emotion.
"Mr. Grant, would you like us to reserve a delivery room for your wife?" the doctor asked, getting straight to the reason for the call.
Michael said yes right away.
He booked the VIP suite with 24/7 nurses on standby.
The deposit was 60 thousand dollars. He didn't even blink before paying it.
As soon as he hung up, he called me right away.
"I" picked up.
Michael was practically glowing. He said with a bright smile, "Vivi, you're pregnant.
"Make sure you're eating right, okay? I hired a chef who only does pregnancy meals. He's coming to the villa tomorrow to take care of you and the baby. Are you feeling sick? Any weird symptoms? Have you been throwing up?"
He just kept showering me with questions and concern, one after another.
But the voice on the other end was strangely calm. "Yeah, I'm pregnant. I planned to surprise you when you get home. I'm not feeling sick or anything. Everything's fine."
The tone and inflection were exactly like mine.
But Michael's brows drew together in a slight frown.
He fell silent for a moment, then asked again, "Vivi, do you miss me?"
"I" laughed softly, my voice gentle. "Sure, I miss you."
Michael smiled. He didn't seem to doubt my answer.
But after he hung up, Michael's expression turned even more grim. He let out a long breath before dialing his secretary.
Michael's voice was icy. "Get me the earliest flight tomorrow. I'm coming back. The rest is up to you."
Pearl messed up big time.
She didn't know that Michael never used the name "Vivi" when we were alone together.
Because to me, that name was nothing but a childhood nightmare.