Chapter 546 Unexpected Encounter with an Acquaintance
After Dorothy's announcement, every eye in the living room turned toward Aurelia in unison.
Beatrice stood frozen for several moments before the reality of Aurelia's pregnancy fully registered. As a woman who had borne two children herself, she understood intimately the challenges of pregnancy.
She asked, "Aurelia, are you experiencing severe morning sickness?"
"It's manageable," Aurelia replied with characteristic restraint.
Though Beatrice said nothing aloud, inwardly she was overjoyed.
Both children bore the Semona surname, and despite her repeated suggestions to change it—each one firmly rebuffed by Nathaniel—she had eventually abandoned the topic.
Raised with traditional values, she still harbored hopes that the children would carry the Heilbronn name. Now, with Aurelia pregnant again, there would finally be a child to bear Nathaniel's surname. Her heart bloomed with happiness.
"Aurelia, what would you like to eat? I'll have the staff prepare it immediately. Gemma! Gemma!" Beatrice called out with unusual enthusiasm.
Gemma hurried from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Mrs. Heilbronn, shall I prepare coffee?"
The joyous news had lifted Beatrice's spirits considerably, her smile broader and more generous than usual. "Aurelia is pregnant, and expectant mothers are advised to limit their caffeine intake. See what ingredients we have that she enjoys, and prepare several different dishes—pregnancy can make one's appetite unpredictable, so variety is key."
Gemma nodded eagerly, sharing in the household's joy while privately lamenting that Reed wasn't there to witness such wonderful news—he would have been beside himself with happiness.
Gemma said, "Mrs. Aurelia Heilbronn, tell me what you're craving, and if we don't have it, we'll get it immediately!"
"Absolutely," Beatrice chimed in. "Whatever you want, Aurelia, just say the word and I'll have someone fetch it."
Aurelia felt uncomfortable with this sudden warmth, especially knowing it was directed more toward her unborn child than herself. She wasn't naive enough to forget Beatrice's past interference simply because of one elaborate meal.
A wave of nausea swept over her, and she pressed her hand to her chest, trying to steady herself. "Gemma, the seafood smell on your hands—it's making me queasy."
Aurelia's face flushed red as she fought the sensation, but ultimately she rushed to the bathroom.
Gemma looked stricken. "Oh my goodness, I came straight from cleaning the seafood without washing my hands. Let me go clean up immediately."
Beatrice and Ashley followed her to the bathroom, hovering like attendants as she retched—one offering tissues, the other holding water, treating her like royalty. Such attention made Aurelia deeply uncomfortable.
"I can manage myself," she insisted weakly.
Beatrice sighed sympathetically. "Clearly the seafood aroma is too much for you. We'll have Gemma prepare some separately for the children later, but let's focus on light, bland foods for now, shall we?"
After the nausea subsided, Aurelia found herself looking at Beatrice's concerned face with mixed emotions. She knew this care was contingent upon the child she carried, yet Beatrice's maternal fussing reminded her painfully of her own mother. If Helen were alive, she would have been even more attentive and caring. The thought softened Aurelia's defenses considerably.
Beatrice dispatched the butler to purchase additional groceries while chicken broth simmered in the kitchen. When dinner was served, only small portions of seafood appeared before Jacob and Dorothy—everything else was prepared to accommodate Aurelia's delicate condition.
Gemma's culinary skills shone as she presented an array of perfectly seasoned, mild dishes tailored entirely to Aurelia's preferences.
Surrounded by such devoted attention, Aurelia felt overwhelmed by the care. After dinner, Beatrice insisted on sending them home with a driver, unwilling to let Aurelia navigate the evening roads herself.
In the car, Jacob sighed heavily. "Mommy, when is Daddy coming home?"
Aurelia pulled both children close to her sides. "Daddy is fighting demons right now, and we need to cheer him on."
"Mommy, when we get back to Coral Bay, can we visit Daddy? I miss him so much!" Dorothy's voice was wistful.
Watching the city lights blur past the window, Aurelia's mind flooded with countless memories of Nathaniel.
She replied softly, "When we return, we'll bring Daddy some things together."
The next day, Aurelia boarded the flight to Coral Bay with both children in tow. After securing Jacob and Dorothy's seatbelts, she settled into her own seat only to notice a familiar face across the aisle.
"Dominic, what a coincidence! You're returning to Coral Bay as well?" she said with genuine surprise.
Dominic had been quietly observing her for some time, wanting to greet her but hesitating while she tended to the children. "Yes, indeed, heading back to Coral Bay."
His gaze drifted past Aurelia to the two beautiful children, stirring a deep envy within him. At his age, he should be bouncing grandchildren on his knee, but Phoenix remained hopelessly irresponsible—unable even to maintain a girlfriend, let alone provide him with grandchildren.
"Your children are absolutely delightful!" he said, gesturing toward them warmly.
Aurelia turned to her children. "Jacob, Dorothy, please greet Mr. Sawyer."
The children responded in perfect unison: "Hello, Mr. Sawyer!"
"Hello there, little treasures!" Dominic's heart melted at their sweet voices, reinforcing his determination to drag Phoenix back from wherever he was gallivanting and arrange some serious matchmaking. At this rate, when would he ever have grandchildren to spoil?
Despite his corporate stature, Dominic maintained an approachable demeanor, especially with this young woman who bore such a striking resemblance to someone dear to his heart.
"Your jewelry line is performing exceptionally well—I even purchased a piece for my mother."
Aurelia paused, realizing that Karma Jewelry's current market offerings skewed toward younger demographics and might not suit elderly customers. She still remembered the incident at Madeline's birthday celebration—though she hadn't instigated the conflict, her presence had nearly spoiled the occasion. Yet Madeline had shown remarkable grace, even sending an expensive gift that Aurelia had yet to reciprocate.
"Dominic, I have a private red ruby that I'd like to set into a necklace for Mrs. Madeline Sawyer. Perhaps Phoenix could collect it this weekend?"
Dominic's face lit up with genuine pleasure. Given his position, he'd encountered countless precious stones, so it wasn't the ruby itself that excited him. Rather, conversations with this young woman consistently reminded him of Brenda, and he found himself genuinely fond of Aurelia—the pure affection of an elder for a promising younger person.
"No need to trouble that unreliable Phoenix. Give me a call when it's ready, and we'll share a meal together."
Aurelia hesitated, surprised by the invitation. In her mind, business magnates like Dominic lived hectic lives surrounded by corporate associates. Her fledgling company had no business overlap with the Sawyer family's automotive empire, leaving her puzzled about his motives for this dinner.
However, as Nathaniel had noted, her observations of Dominic revealed him to be unlike most wealthy men in their circle—he wasn't driven solely by profit or found frequenting nightclubs. He was an honorable, respectable elder worthy of admiration.
"That's very generous of you, Dominic," Aurelia accepted graciously.
Dominic had been awaiting her response, and her acceptance brought a genuine smile to his face. "A simple meal hardly constitutes generosity. At my age, I treasure opportunities to engage with younger people—your generation thinks so dynamically and creatively, always offering unexpected insights."
His gaze settled fondly on the children behind her. "Be sure to bring these two along—I have a soft spot for children."
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