Ms. Escape Marrying to Run Fighting to Rise novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137 An Awkward Meal

“Well, Cynthia, I prefer a quiet environment

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…

How about I arrange for Eva to stay with you

instead? I don’t need much help in the carly stages anyway,” Adriana replied, the refusal tumbling out before she could fully think it through.

She genuinely didn’t want to live under the same roof as Curtis’s first love. What if she said or did the wrong thing?

And, if she was being honest with herself, she was selfish. She didn’t want to share Curtis, not in the same house.

Curtis nodded in agreement. “That works. Eva can go with you. You’re already comfortable with her, and she’s taken care of Belinda for years. You’ll have plenty to talk about.”

Cynthia’s expression soured. She opened her mouth to speak, but seeing neither Curtis nor Adriana budge, she turned to stare out the window in displeased silence.

Belinda watched her mother, not saying a word, her own feelings a tangled mess.

She knew how much her mother loved Curtis and how she had always wanted to marry him. But now, Curtis was married to someone else.

If Adriana were just some ordinary woman, maybe it wouldn’t bother her too much. But Adriana was…

different.

Curtis took them to an upscale bistro known for its light, contemporary cuisine, foods. considered gentle for someone in recovery like Cynthia.

Adriana, however, felt a wave of nausea. It was too early for typical morning sickness, but even the sight and smell of the bland food made her stomach turn.

Her cravings were leaning more towards something spicy right now, like hot buffalo wings.

The meal was eaten in near silence. No one spoke much, as if everyone was on guard.

Adriana knew Cynthia was wary of her. With Cynthia staying quiet, Adriana didn’t dare initiate conversation.

Noticing Adriana barely picking at her food, Curtis excused himself and left the private dining

room.

“So, Adrianna, you’re pregnant? Was it IVF? That was … quick,” Cynthia finally spoke once Curtis

was gone.

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Chapter 137 An Awkward Meal

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Adriana’s fork clattered onto her plate.

A string in her mind snapped tight. Shit. Here it comes.

“Um, yes, that’s right. The IVF process is quite streamlined now. Implantation can happen right after retrieval,” Adriana managed, taking a deep breath and grasping for an explanation.

If Cynthia found out she and Curtis had been intimate, she would definitely be upset.

“Don’t stress, I was just asking,” Cynthia said with a light laugh, using the serving utensils to place some steamed green beans onto Adriana’s plate. “You should eat more. You need the nutrients for a healthy baby.”

Adriana nodded, her breath feeling tight. It felt like … Cynthia was already assuming she would hand the baby over after the birth.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the child for you. After all, it’s Curtis’s. I’ll treat it as my own,” Cynthia stated calmly, a subtle declaration of her claim.

“Curtis said that after the baby is born, we won’t divorce for at least three years. I’ll be the one caring for my child,” Adriana said, feeling like Cynthia had just crossed a line.

Even though she was only just pregnant, Adriana already felt fiercely protective.

Cynthia’s face tightened. She frowned at Adriana. “He said you wouldn’t divorce for three years after the birth?”

Adriana nodded. “Yes? Isn’t that … an unspoken family rule of his?”

“What nonsense…” Cynthia’s breathing hitched slightly. She seemed to bite back her initial retort, forcing a faint, knowing smile. “He’s probably just worried a newborn would be too disruptive for my rest. Caring for an infant is exhausting work. By age three, they’re much easier to manage.”

Adriana looked down, saying nothing more.

She couldn’t ask for too much. There was no way she could fight Curtis for custody if they divorced. That was a futile dream.

“Mom, you should focus on taking care of yourself. You don’t need to worry about someone else’s baby,” Belinda murmured quietly, pushing her own food around her plate without looking up.

Cynthia shot a glance at her daughter but didn’t respond.

Curtis returned, followed by a server who placed a plate of chips with jalapeno salsa and a few

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