After Rebirth, I Replaced My Ex-Husband's True Love-Chapter 140: Fainting

Feeling heavy-hearted after leaving Sherman Hathaway’s office, I found myself distracted the entire day. As soon as work ended, I left the company and rushed home.

To my surprise, Ivan Underwood was waiting for me downstairs.

"Why are you here?" I asked, surprised.

"Do you know about Azure Vaughn’s heart condition?" Ivan also asked me.

I nodded, "Yeah, but I don’t know the details."

He replied, "I know. Let’s go up and talk."

Upon hearing this, I immediately took Ivan upstairs. As I was opening the door, the door across from mine opened as well. Julian Jennings came out carrying trash and was visibly stunned when he saw Ivan and me.

"Ivan, you and Miss Hathaway..." Julian hesitated to speak.

"I have some matters to discuss with her," Ivan answered calmly.

I nodded to Julian and then opened the door to let Ivan in before closing it.

Sitting on the sofa, Ivan didn’t mince words, "The hospital where Azure is now is where a colleague friend of mine works. He’s in cardiothoracic surgery and happened to mention Azure’s condition to me."

I listened quietly.

"Azure has congenital heart disease and needs a heart transplant. The situation is quite complex. Once her condition stabilizes, Henry Preston will arrange for her to go to a hospital in Country D. She might wait for a human heart transplant, or possibly opt for an artificial heart."

The sudden news made my head buzz; it felt surreal that Azure suddenly had such a severe heart condition.

Could this be the dilemma Henry was facing?

No, Azure’s heart disease wasn’t caused by him, he doesn’t need to take responsibility for it.

If that’s the case, it only proves he cares about Azure and doesn’t want anything to happen to her.

Suddenly, I felt dizzy, my vision blurring and clearing intermittently, Ivan’s voice sounding distant, "Zoe Hathaway? Are you okay?"

Then I lost consciousness.

"She’s fourteen weeks pregnant, but the situation isn’t great. The HCG levels are low, and the fetus is developing slowly. This fainting might be due to weakness compounded by emotional shock..."

I slowly awoke to the sound of voices, finding myself in a pink-and-white hospital room, an IV in my hand, with the medicine dripping slowly.

Ivan, having sent the doctor away, came to my bedside, watching me silently with his clear, beautiful eyes.

"Ivan..." I spoke, my voice hoarse.

"Hmm." He responded, his lips moved slightly, "You’re pregnant. Is it Henry Preston’s?"

I was already in the hospital, definitely unable to hide it, so I acknowledged it.

"Why didn’t you tell him?" Ivan’s face showed a hint of emotion, "You’re pregnant, yet you let him accompany another woman. Is your heart really that broad?"

I forced a smile, "I found out after the divorce. There’s no reason to tell him. I want this child, but I don’t want to be with Henry anymore; it’s not conflicting."

Ivan’s tone turned filled with anger, "Since you don’t want to be with him, why keep his child? Have you thought about yourself? About the child? A child isn’t a toy; it’s a life. You’re responsible if you give birth to him, you’re becoming a single mom!"

"I know, I’ve thought it through; I won’t regret it." Although I felt panic upon having my secret discovered, I quickly calmed down.

Ivan took out his phone, showing me a photo, "Take a look."

The photo depicted two tightly clasped hands, one of which had an IV in the back of it.

The caption was warm: Mr. Preston, as long as you are by my side, I have the courage to face everything.

No need to guess, it was posted by Azure.

My heart really felt a twinge, a vague pain, probably because at this moment, the father of my child was attentively accompanying another woman.

"Her condition improved a bit today. In a couple of days, she’ll head to the Country D hospital for the transplant surgery." Ivan put away the phone and asked, "Are you certain you want to face the problems brought by pregnancy and childbirth alone?"

My hand slowly clenched, my eyes started to feel warm, and my chest felt like it was being compressed by a massive stone, making it hard to breathe. I hadn’t had a good cry in a while, so instinctively, I held back my tears.

My voice carried a hint of choking, "Did you even ask if, should this child be lost, I could still become pregnant again?"

Ivan froze, his eyes filled with shock then disbelief, "What?"

I had contemplated abortion, but the doctor cryptically advised me that given my physical condition, it would be difficult to conceive again if this child were lost.

Unless I were extraordinarily lucky.

"This might be the only child I’ll have in my life; I can’t lose her." I took a deep breath, and a tear slipped uncontrollably from the corner of my eye.

Ivan remained silent for a while, reaching out to wipe the tear from my eye, sighing deeply.

Due to this hospital stay, I had no choice but to take another leave. Fortunately, Sherman Hathaway persuaded Fern Tate to return to the company, allowing me to avoid her for a while.

However, Sherman couldn’t fathom why I needed to be hospitalized again; under his persistent questioning, I revealed my pregnancy and discussed the threatened miscarriage.

"No way, this has to be told to your parents!" Sherman insisted on not covering it up, believing pregnancy was a significant matter, especially since it’s the child of my ex-husband.

I replied immediately, "Don’t tell them; I’ll speak up in a while!"

"Are you sure you’ll tell them?" Sherman retorted.

"I will," I responded.

He finally relented.

After the call, I closed my eyes to rest, contemplating how to break the news to my parents.

After some time in the hospital, my situation stabilized a bit, and I was discharged.

I couldn’t return to work at the company immediately; Sherman urged me to rest for a while before returning. He sternly reminded me, "Zoe, you must find a time to discuss your pregnancy with your family. If you don’t, I’ll have to step in."

"Sherman, don’t worry. I’ll handle it myself." I replied.

After Sherman left, I went to the bedroom to rest; both physically and mentally, I felt exhausted, even after the hospitalization period.

But for the sake of the child in my womb, I couldn’t just lie down; I had to nurture my body.

I lifted my spirits and ordered some ingredients online to make some simple, nutritious meals for myself.

When the ingredients arrived, I opened the door only to find it wasn’t the delivery person but Azure and Joy Lawson.

"Miss Hathaway, is this yours?" Azure’s complexion appeared pale, having grown thinner after a few days’ absence.

She pointed to the bag Joy was holding.

Joy put the bag down with a huff, giving me a blank stare.

Indeed, it was the ingredients I’d bought. Perhaps they encountered the delivery person and brought it up, although I didn’t need such enthusiasm from them, especially since Azure was supposed to be in the hospital with her heart condition.

I picked up the bag, ready to close the door.

"Can’t even say thank you? Cat got your tongue?" Joy spoke unpleasantly.

"Joy, Miss Hathaway isn’t well either; she just returned from the hospital. Don’t provoke her." Azure’s tone was considerate of my health.

She knows I was hospitalized, but does she know I’m pregnant? A slight unease crept into my heart.

But soon after, Azure’s words dismissed my suspicions. She gently advised, "Miss Hathaway, being alone abroad, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Overexertion harms the body."

Joy murmured, "Azure, you’re too good-hearted. Why care for someone like her?"

At that moment, the door across opened, Julian seemed a bit embarrassed seeing Azure and Joy, mixed with awkwardness.

"Brother Julian!" On seeing Julian, Joy was the first to greet, her face full of delight, even her voice sweetened.

She appears quite fond of Julian.

Julian’s awkwardness faded as he inquired, "Why are you here? Azure, weren’t you in the hospital domestically? How..."

Azure blushed slightly, "I feel a bit better now. Originally, I planned to directly go to Country D for surgery, but check-up results showed I need to stabilize further first. Henry wanted me to come here with him, as his recent work focus is here..."

"He’s just wanting you by his side!" Joy interjected with a laugh, "One day apart feels like three years; he can’t see you, he’ll get lovesickness!"

Joy glanced at me as she spoke, a bit smug.

I don’t know what she’s smug about; I initiated the divorce, and Henry isn’t with her now. She’s merely a sidekick.

Azure’s face flushed red, biting her lip, not refuting Joy’s words.

Julian then looked at me, "Miss Hathaway, did you just return today? I heard you were hospitalized; are you unwell?"