[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-309":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},309,95,"Chapter 95: The Second Red Line","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi rubbed her stomach, grimacing. \"Ugh, my stomach feels awful. I shouldn't have eaten all that steak. It's just sitting there like a brick.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Do you have any antacids in the house?\" Evangeline asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah, I'll go grab some.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Suddenly, a thought flashed through Evangeline’s mind. She grabbed Remi’s hand. \"Remi, what if Aurora was actually right?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi froze, her heart skipping a beat—part nervous, part hopeful.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"D-do you think I should take a test?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Go! Now!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The two of them scrambled to find a pregnancy test, hiding away in the bathroom like conspirators. Remi gripped Evangeline’s hand so hard her knuckles turned white. \"I'm so nervous.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They’d done this so many times before, waiting for that single, mocking line to appear. Over time, the anticipation had died, replaced by a dull, routine disappointment. But the child’s innocent comment from before had reignited a tiny flame of hope, one Remi was terrified to see snuffed out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Stop overthinking it. Just do it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine, fine! Don't rush me, I can't even go now!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline pouted, blowing air at her. \"Pssssst—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, stop it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, alright. I'm kidding. Just get it done.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Finally, the sample was collected. They leaned in, eyes locked on the plastic strip. As the fluid climbed, the first line appeared. They held their breath, fingers intertwined.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then, the second line bled into view—a faint, unmistakable shade of pink.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh my god! Ha! It’s real, it’s actually real! Evangeline!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi shrieked with joy, throwing her arms around Evangeline and planting a kiss on her cheek.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, keep that up and people will think the baby is mine!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Waaaah, I really thought there was something wrong with me... this is the best news ever.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline wiped away her friend’s tears with a smile. \"No more crying. You and this little one were always meant to be.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The two women huddled in the bathroom, laughing and sobbing in turn. Remi sniffled, wiping her nose. \"Aurora is such a little lucky charm. I’m buying her the biggest gift tomorrow.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Pretty sure that credit goes to Damian,\" Evangeline teased, covering her mouth to hide her smirk.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Right! Damian! I have to tell him!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi wiped her eyes, grabbed the test, and started running toward the door.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hey, take it easy! Don't run!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hearing Evangeline’s warning, Remi switched to a brisk power-walk. If this were an Olympic race, she’d have the gold medal in the bag.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian saw her coming from across the hall, her eyes red and puffy. He jumped up, rushing to meet her. \"What’s wrong, Remi? Are you okay?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She looked distraught, her lower lip trembling—a perfect picture of woe.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What’s wrong, babe? Tell me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi caught her breath, then thrust her clenched fist out toward him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What is it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian cautiously opened his palm to receive the item.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s a pregnancy test! Two lines!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice cracked, soaring an octave as he stared at the plastic strip like it was a holy relic.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damian, we’re having a baby.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"HOLY—I’m actually going to be a dad!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A roar of laughter tore through the night air, shattering the silence. He scooped Remi into his arms, spinning her around and peppering her face with kisses. \"Remi, you’re amazing! Ha! I’m amazing, too!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline leaned her head against Marcellus’s shoulder, watching the scene unfold. The sheer joy was contagious; she felt almost as excited as if she were the one expecting.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus, should we have another one?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was a ridiculous thought—who sees someone else get pregnant and immediately wants to sign up for the same ordeal?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus leaned down, whispering in her ear, \"Evangeline, have you already forgotten the pain? Or are you just looking for an excuse?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A bucket of ice-cold reality washed over her. The memory of childbirth still felt fresh, and she couldn't help but shiver.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Never mind. Aurora is quite enough for us.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus chuckled, rubbing his palm over her hair. \"Come on.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Where are we going?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"To enjoy the process of making one.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The line was so smooth, Evangeline’s face turned bright red. She glanced over at the couple still wrapped in their own bubble of happiness; thank God they weren't paying attention, or she would have died of embarrassment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next morning, everyone gathered in the dining room. Damian was positively glowing, radiating so much self-satisfaction he looked like he might burst.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Daddy... that uncle is scary.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora peered at him, shivering as she burrowed deeper into her father's arms.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus extended a long leg under the table and gave Damian a sharp kick.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damian, wipe that grin off your face! You’re scaring Aurora.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian winced, but his smile didn't falter for a second. \"I'm sorry, Aurora, don't be scared... heh heh heh...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Waaaaah!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That did it. Aurora began to cry.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi looked at the man beside her: Yeah, his expression was definitely a bit unnerving. She rubbed her temples, sighing. \"Can you please try to act normal?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah, yeah!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He nodded, but the grin remained plastered on his face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus glared at him, picked up Aurora, and covered her eyes with his palm. \"Good girl, Aurora. Daddy’s taking you away. We don't need to look at this weirdo.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline bit her lip to keep from laughing as she followed them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi sighed, exhausted. \"Damian, can you please pull your tail in? It’s wagging so hard you’re going to take flight!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, I’m just happy!\" He nuzzled his head against her neck, cooing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi laughed, wrapping her arms around his back. \"You’re acting like such a softie right now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Huh?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian sat up straight, squaring his shoulders. \"Am I not man enough for you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Manly, sure, sure. Now just eat.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you brushing me off?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi gave him a sharp look. \"Stop stalling!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man turned obedient in an instant. \"Eating, eating! Here, honey, this is delicious, you have to try it...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi scoffed: the speed at which he changed his attitude was faster than a professional stage actor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That morning, they went in for a blood test to confirm the results. Remi handed the report to Noah Mitchell with a sheepish look. \"I just got back from my honeymoon, and now I have to ask for maternity leave. I feel terrible.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah laughed, dry and incredulous. \"So the two of you are just out to make my life miserable, right?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hey, if you hadn't stayed single, you wouldn't be the only one stuck with the workload. Don't blame us!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So, what, single guys are just targets now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi and Evangeline exchanged a look and nodded in perfect unison.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine. When I get married, I’m taking double the time off you two did. Deal?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline’s eyes widened. \"Wait, do you actually have someone, Noah?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"…No.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hahaha!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The cold, hard sound of their mockery filled the office. Noah leaned back in his chair, watching the two of them with a faint, amused smile.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272915168]