“Theodore, I heard Ariana's pregnant. What are your intentions regarding the child?”

At Helen's words, Ariana's heart pounded, her breath hitching as she anxiously awaited Theodore's reply.

Ariana held her breath, suspended in a state of dread and expectation as she awaited Theodore’s answer.

After a tense moment, Theodore finally declared, "I won't keep this child."

Ariana felt as though she'd been struck by lightning. The world around her seemed to blur, the echoes of his words ringing painfully in her ears. Her heart shattered in her chest.

She had hoped that Theodore would demonstrate some compassion, but she hadn't expected such resolution.

Her hands began to shake, and after one last look at the two uncomfortably close figures in the room, Ariana stumbled backward, nearly collapsing. Then she turned and bolted from the scene.

What she didn't witness was Theodore coldly rejecting Helen in that moment .

With a contemptuous look, he warned her, "Don't try to manipulate me.

I'll explain everything to her, and I believe she'll understand my decision. Don't make things difficult for me when it comes to her."

With that, he retrieved his phone and departed alone.

Approaching the entrance, he spotted a small, sparkling object on the floor. It struck him as familiar.

He bent down to pick it up, realizing it was Ariana's bracelet.

His heart thumped heavily in his chest.

She had been here?!

Yet she had come and gone without uttering a word. This had to be a misunderstanding.

Anxiety gripped Theodore and he quickened his pace, setting out to locate her.

He darted into the busy street, his gaze sweeping over the masses in search of Ariana.

Despite a thorough search, he came up empty-handed. As his anxiety peaked, he spotted Ariana's figure across the street.

Just as Theodore lunged forward to cross the street, a truck barrelled toward him, forcing him to step back. By the time he had crossed to the other side, Ariana had disappeared.