Divorced & Pregnant: Hiding His Secret Heir

She was pregnant.

By her calculations, it must have been last month, their last time together, right before Alaric Hughes asked for a divorce.

For three years, she had longed for a child with him, and now, when they were about to divorce, the child had suddenly come.

Cordelia Stone was caught in a swirl of emotions. She took the pregnancy report from her friend's hand, her expression complex as she read:[confirmed pregnancy.]

"This baby couldn't have come at a worse time. You and your husband have already decided to divorce," Hannah Lewis said, pausing halfway through and sighing softly.

Cordelia clutched the pregnancy report tightly, her smile bitter, her tone even more so. "Yeah, terrible timing."

This baby's sudden arrival had caught her completely off guard.

She took a deep breath and whispered. "Please keep this to yourself for now."

Hannah made an "OK" gesture, understanding without words.

She and Cordelia had been classmates since high school, attended Pioneer University of Medicine together, and then studied abroad for three years. 

Now, they worked in different departments of the same hospital and were among the few who knew about Cordelia's marital issues.

As Cordelia was about to leave, Hannah couldn't help but remind her, "If you don't want this baby, you need to decide quickly. After all, you're up for a promotion later this year. Marriage or career, you have to hold onto one, right?"

Cordelia paused slightly at her words, nodded lightly, and then opened the office door and walked out.

She would keep the baby, but her marriage was beyond saving.

From the next office, she heard the doctor's instructions. "Ms. Martin, you need to rest and avoid overexertion. You're anemic and need to eat more nutritious food, or it will affect the baby's development."

"Okay, thank you, Dr. Cross."

A gentle voice responded, and Cordelia's expression changed slightly. She had heard that voice before on Alaric's phone.

It was Janet Martin, Alaric's first love.

Cordelia had reached the corner but couldn't help looking back.

She saw a delicate, frail woman standing next to Alaric with a cold, noble demeanor, dressed in a black shirt and pants. His handsome face could make anyone swoon.

Cordelia tightened her grip on the pregnancy report.The doctor listed some iron-rich foods, and the woman, with her delicate features, clung to Alaric's arm, coquettishly saying, "Alaric, I have a terrible memory. You'll have to remember for me."

"Okay."

Alaric nodded slightly, his usually deep eyes softened.

Cordelia saw a different side of Alaric, one that stung her heart, though she quickly hid it.

She took out her phone and called Alaric.

The first call was cut off.

The second call was also rejected.

Cordelia was not usually stubborn, but this time, she persisted and called a third time.

Finally, Alaric answered. "I'm busy," he said coldly, giving her no chance to speak before hanging up.

Cordelia clutched her phone, her breath painful.

He was indeed busy, busy accompanying his first love to a prenatal checkup, busy remembering what she needed to eat during pregnancy.

Two years ago, when Cordelia was trying to conceive, he wasn't nearly as patient.

Cordelia took a deep breath and was about to leave when she heard Janet's gentle voice nearby.

"Alaric, was that a work call? Am I taking up too much of your time?"

"No." Alaric replied immediately, as if any delay would hurt Janet.

Cordelia recalled Alaric's indifferent, high-handed attitude towards her.

He was divorcing her for Janet.

This past month, he hadn't offered a single explanation, only a divorce agreement.

Cordelia pressed her lips together, hands in her coat pockets, and walked out from the corner.

Her tall figure, in her simple doctor's uniform, exuded a scholarly elegance.

She smiled slightly, capturing Alaric's fleeting confusion, and spoke softly. "What a coincidence."

The rumors were true—Alaric's first love had returned, and he was eager to divorce her.

In just one month, he had met with lawyers three times to discuss their divorce.

Janet, noticing Cordelia's outstanding demeanor and striking features, clung to Alaric's arm and looked up at Cordelia.

"Alaric, who is this?"

Alaric frowned, his cold gaze falling on Cordelia. "She's one of my grandmother's friends"

Before their marriage, Ruth Hughes had often invited Cordelia to the Hughes Manor under various pretexts to give her and Alaric more opportunities to interact.

Cordelia had almost forgotten this, but Alaric still remembered.

Cordelia forced a smile. "So, Ms. Martin doesn't know who I am."

Her words were double-edged, and she looked at Alaric with a smile. "Ms. Martin, hello, I am—"

Before she could finish, Alaric interrupted, expressionless. "Dr. Stone, if you're so free, visit Mr. Stone. He's probably quite troubled recently."

His deep eyes carried a hint of warning.

Cordelia paused, her words stuck in her throat.

"Let's go," Alaric said, giving Cordelia a final cold glance before taking Janet's hand and walking away.

Janet glanced back at Cordelia as she entered the elevator, her clear eyes holding an unreadable emotion.

Since marrying Cordelia, he had never publicly acknowledged their marriage.

In Shadowpine, few knew about their relationship.

To him, she had forced him into marriage, causing Janet to leave heartbroken.

Cordelia's heart twisted painfully, her hands clutching the pregnancy report in her pocket.

Her phone rang. It was the Stone family's butler. Cordelia held back her tears.

"Mrs. Hughes, please come to the hospital. Mr. Stone attempted suicide by taking pills. He's being treated for poisoning."

Emergency Room.

When Cordelia arrived, she saw her sister, Evelyn Stone, standing straight and dignified at the door.

She hurried over, asking, "Evelyn, how is Dad?"

Before she could finish, Evelyn interrupted coldly. "Did you talk to Alaric about the company? How did it go?"

The Stone Group was facing a severe financial crisis, with clients backing out of projects. If Alaric helped, they could survive this tough period.

Cordelia lowered her head. "Not yet. We're getting divorced."

She bit her lip, not daring to look at Evelyn.

Evelyn stared at her, disbelief in her eyes. "What did you say?"

Cordelia bit her lip harder.

Evelyn took a deep breath, looking at Cordelia with disappointment. "Cordelia, the company's situation is complex. Dad and I rarely discussed it with you. If I asked you to talk to Alaric, you should know how serious it is."

She added, "Dad is still in there getting worked on. Is your pride in front of Alaric more important than his life?"