This realization filled Theodore with a profound sense of sadness.

Ariana had made several trips to the hospital, but her condition had remained undetected. Clearly, someone had been aiding her in this deception, and Ariana had been insistent on having Mitchel as her physician, so it was safe to assume he was her accomplice.

Why would she try to hide her pregnancy from him?

A piercing headache sliced through Theodore's thoughts. He stumbled, clutching his forehead, an internal voice amplifying his agony.

The voice screamed in his mind, “She intentionally hid this from you.

She's planning to leave you! Every signal pointed to that! She was testing you, waiting for your reaction. The minute you showed disinterest in the child, she would vanish without a second thought!"

The echoes of the internal voice rang in Theodore's ears, exacerbating his distress. He Leaned on the wall for support, gasping in pain.

Ariana had been Lingering in the room, yet Theodore hadn't returned.

Anxiety crept in as her messages to him went unanswered.

Had he taken off again without a word? Ariana's heart weighed heavy.

The memory of his previous disappearance, where he had duped everyone into believing he was dead, had left her scarred.

He had said he was merely heading downstairs, yet his silence was puzzling.

The worry gnawed at her, spurring her to descend and search for him.

Just as she neared the elevator, a soft noise echoed from the direction of the emergency exit. She traced the sound to its source, revealing Theodore slumped against the wall, a Lit cigarette in hand. His energy seemed drained. Discarded cigarette butts lay scattered around his feet.

“Why haven't you gone inside?" Ariana questioned, her surprise seeping into her voice.

Hearing Ariana's voice, Theodore quickly put out the cigarette butt and dragged Ariana out of the smoky hallway.

He usually didn't smoke in front of Ariana, and even worse, she was pregnant now. There was no way he was going to let her inhale smoke, so he led her out.

Seeing Ariana's puzzled expression, Theodore uncomfortably averted his gaze and said, “Don't worry, I just feel a little frustrated with some matters concerning the Anderson Group.”

“Really?" Ariana looked at him dubiously. It was clear she didn't believe him.

"I have never seen you upset about work."