CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: JENSON FORREST RUSHES TO THE HOSPITAL

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP...

"Did you hear that? That’s the baby’s heartbeat. A strong, amazing, very healthy little baby."

Zinnia Lawrence lay on the examination bed, listening to the fetal heartbeat echoing through the room. Her own heart felt like it was being struck in rhythm, and it began to pound wildly.

Her eyes reddened as she looked at the doctor. "That’s wonderful. Thank you."

"You’re too thin. The baby needs nutrition, so make sure to supplement. Have you been taking your folic acid?"

Zinnia nodded. "I’ve been taking it for half a month now."

Ever since the pregnancy test was positive, she had asked Yara Fairchild to buy her some folic acid tablets. She put them in a vitamin bottle and had been taking one every day.

The doctor nodded. "That’s good. Think about whether you want to register with our hospital. You can get up now."

Joy Kramer, who was with her for the prenatal checkup, quickly stepped forward to help Zinnia sit up, smiling as she said, "Congratulations, you’re going to be a mom."

Zinnia placed a hand on her abdomen, her heart stirred. "Yes, I’m going to be a mom. It feels so magical."

As she exited the examination room, a sudden commotion erupted in the hallway ahead.

Zinnia’s heart tightened. She had a sudden, terrible premonition and stopped in her tracks, staring forward. The crowd parted, revealing a tall, commanding figure striding toward her.

As Zinnia’s gaze met his, her heart clenched again. His expression was the same as always; his handsome face revealed no emotion.

She didn’t know how much he had guessed. Forcing herself to remain calm, she feigned surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Jenson Forrest was already in front of her. He raised his hand and snatched the prenatal report from Zinnia’s grasp.

"Zinnia, you’ve got some nerve! How long were you planning to hide this from me?!"

His large hand gripped the nape of her neck, his touch searing.

Zinnia was forced forward, bumping into his chest. Lowering her gaze, she saw the prenatal report crumpled in his hand, the veins bulging on the handsome back of it, betraying his fury.

She looked up, her face a mask of bewilderment. "What are you talking about? What have I hidden from you?"

Jenson saw he had caught her red-handed, yet she was still stubbornly denying it.

His jaw tightened. He held up the report. "What is this? Explain what ’eight weeks pregnant’ means."

Zinnia burst out laughing. "So, you actually thought I was pregnant? Do me a favor and look carefully at whose report this is, will you?"

Only then did Jenson see that the patient name on the prenatal report wasn’t Zinnia’s, but a stranger’s: Joy Kramer.

"Um... that’s mine." Joy Kramer, who had been standing aside the whole time, stepped forward and cautiously tried to pull the report from the man’s grasp. "Are you Zinnia’s husband? You’ve misunderstood..."

She didn’t get it. She was a minor actress, sure, but she was also drop-dead gorgeous. How could she be so unnoticeable?

Zinnia pushed Jenson away and linked arms with Joy Kramer. "This is my friend, Joy Kramer. I was here with her for her prenatal checkup."

Looking exasperated, she leaned in and whispered, "Did you forget I took the morning-after pill right in front of you this morning? If I were pregnant, would I be drinking alcohol and taking that?"

Jenson’s sharp gaze fixed on Zinnia and the unfamiliar woman whose arm she held. "Your friend? How come I’ve never met her?"

Zinnia looked impatient. "You were abroad for so long. There are a lot of friends I have now that you don’t know."

She didn’t want to say any more to him and tried to leave with Joy Kramer.

But Jenson raised a hand, blocking their path. His gaze settled on Joy Kramer. "Miss Kramer, you’re so young. Are you married?"

Joy Kramer felt an invisible, intimidating pressure emanating from the man before her. Staring into his deep, boundless eyes, she felt as if he could see straight into her soul.

She nervously clutched Zinnia’s arm. "I’m pregnant, so of course I’m married."

"Oh? And what do you do, Miss Kramer? Who is your husband?"

Afraid Joy wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure, Zinnia pulled her friend behind her and glared angrily at the man. "That’s enough! Are you interrogating a criminal? My friend just found out she’s pregnant! If you frighten her and something happens, will you take responsibility? You madman, get out of our way!"

Zinnia tried to push past Jenson, pulling Joy Kramer with her.

But Jenson suddenly grabbed her wrist, his voice icy. "What’s the hurry? Feeling guilty, Zinnia?"

Zinnia gritted her teeth and looked at him, her lips curling into a sneer. "Heh. And why are *you* so worked up? Were you hoping I was pregnant so you could immediately schedule an abortion and have me go through with it on the spot?"

A vein throbbed at Jenson’s temple. "It’s good that you know!"

Zinnia’s breath hitched in pain. She wrenched her hand free. "Too bad I’ve disappointed you."

Jenson released his grip and took a step back.

Zinnia felt a flicker of relief, but in the next second, she saw him turn his head to instruct Timothy Cohen. "Go get the doctor."

Apparently, he wasn’t so easily fooled and didn’t believe a word she said.

Timothy Cohen immediately complied. The female doctor who had just examined Zinnia quickly followed him back.

Zinnia stood frozen to the spot, watching the doctor approach. An icy chill seeped through her veins and into her heart, freezing it solid.

"Doctor, my wife is having some stomach pain. Could you please take another look at her?" Jenson said, stepping forward before the doctor could get close.

He’s so cunning. Zinnia thought. Typically, a doctor would instinctively rush to the patient upon hearing that.

Zinnia’s palms grew sweaty. She lowered her head, feeling the blood rush from her face.

"Stomach pain?" the doctor asked, approaching Joy Kramer. "But you were fine just a moment ago. Where does it hurt? Don’t just stand there, sit down so I can check you."

The doctor took Joy by the arm. At that moment, Zinnia let go of her friend’s hand.

Stepping forward, Zinnia gave the doctor an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry, there’s been a slight misunderstanding. We’re sorry for wasting your time. She’s fine..."

Joy Kramer nodded hurriedly. The doctor looked puzzled.

Zinnia turned to Jenson. "Are you satisfied now, President Forrest?"

Jenson’s face was grim, but most of his suspicion had been dispelled. He nodded at the doctor. "Sorry, it was a misunderstanding."

After the doctor left, Jenson looked at Zinnia. "Assistant Cohen will see Miss Kramer home. I’ll take you."

"Not necessary!" Zinnia said coldly, supporting Joy Kramer as she walked away.

Once they were in the elevator, the moment the doors slid shut, her body swayed. The composure she had been desperately holding onto finally crumbled, and a tidal wave of fear and panic washed over her.

"Zinnia, are you okay?" Joy Kramer asked with concern.

Zinnia took a deep breath to compose herself, then shook her head at her friend. "Thank you."

"It’s nothing. See? I told you my acting was good and that my lips are sealed. You can relax. But wow, your husband is handsome. It’s just hard to believe someone that good-looking could be such a scumbag, willing to harm his own child."

Zinnia bit her lip. His cold sentiment echoed in her ears—*If you’re pregnant, get rid of it*—as if their baby were a piece of trash he could dispose of at will.

Her face was pale as Joy chattered on. "Good thing you saw your old colleague and we were able to prepare. And we asked the doctor for help ahead of time, too. Man, that doctor’s acting was top-notch! She almost out-acted me. Talk about hidden talent..."

By the time they exited the elevator, Zinnia had regained her composure and was carefully supporting Joy.

The two women got into a taxi and left. Jenson also got into his car, where Timothy Cohen was sitting in the driver’s seat, unable to discern his boss’s mood.

He couldn’t tell if the President was relieved or disappointed that his wife wasn’t pregnant. After such an embarrassing mix-up, Timothy didn’t dare speak.

"Investigate that Joy Kramer," Jenson suddenly ordered.

"Yes, sir."

"Back to the office."

By the time Jenson returned to his office, the preliminary background check on Joy Kramer had come in.

"Joy Kramer is indeed married, a secret marriage to a third-tier male actor. She was classmates with Miss Fairchild, so your wife likely became friends with Miss Kramer through her."

None of the information was contradictory, which dispelled Jenson’s last shred of doubt.

It was only much later that he would come to regret this day countless times.

He had been so close to the truth. Why hadn’t he been able to grasp it?