Chapter 593 Morning Sickness
After watching Sophia's car drive away, Emma finally got into Celeste's car. As soon as she sat down, she leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes in exhaustion.
"Hey, Emma, want some water?" Celeste handed her a bottle of mineral water.
"Thanks." Emma took the water, then noticed Celeste's pale face. "You okay? You don't look so hot."
Celeste forced a smile. "I'm fine, just a bit carsick."
But shortly after they started driving, Celeste suddenly slammed on the brakes, covering her mouth as she rushed out of the car to the side of the road, dry heaving. Emma quickly followed, gently patting her back.
"Celeste, are you...?" Emma looked at her pale face and suddenly had a thought. "Are you pregnant?"
Celeste's body visibly tensed. She slowly straightened up, her eyes flickering. "You really are perceptive."
Back in the car, Celeste gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white.
"How far along are you?" Emma asked softly.
"A month." Celeste's voice trembled. "But Emma, please, you can't tell Michael."
Emma frowned. "Why? Michael's always been good to you."
A flash of fear crossed Celeste's eyes. "It's because he 'takes care' of me too much." She suddenly grabbed Emma's hand. "You don't understand. If Michael finds out I'm having someone else's baby, he will..."
"What will he do?" Emma pressed.
Celeste fell silent, just shaking her head. "Please, just promise me you'll keep this a secret."
Emma nodded. "Okay, I promise. But Celeste, if you need help, you have to tell me."
As the car continued down the road, Emma stared out the window at the passing scenery, her mind in turmoil. Celeste's fear of Michael didn't seem fake, but in her memory, Michael had always been gentle and refined.
"Celeste," Emma suddenly spoke, "has Michael ever done anything to you?"
Celeste's hand trembled, causing the car to swerve slightly. "No, he's always been good to me."
But the more she denied it, the more suspicious Emma became. She remembered George hinting that Michael was not as simple as he seemed, the mysterious disappearances of the prison guards, and Anna's bracelet.
"We're here." Celeste's voice interrupted Emma's thoughts.
Looking up, Emma saw Michael's mansion brightly lit, his tall figure standing at the door with a gentle smile, waiting for them. In the light, his shadow stretched long, like a lurking beast.
Emma suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
"Celeste, why doesn't Michael let you date other guys?" Emma had been pondering this question the whole way. Would a normal brother really stop his adult sister from having a boyfriend?
"Michael said that guy wasn't good enough for me, too poor." Celeste gave a random excuse, but Emma didn't buy it.
Too ordinary.
Too ordinary a reason.
In a typical middle-class family, Michael's concern might be understandable. Which brother or elder would want their cherished little princess to live a hard life?
But with Michael, it was unusual.
What kind of family is the Russell Family?
What kind of wealth does Michael have?
How could they not tolerate a poor guy?
No matter how poor the boy was, if Michael wanted to help, Celeste wouldn't have a hard life. So, Emma concluded, either the boy had other flaws, or Celeste was lying.
Celeste and Michael had a secret, one they didn't want her to know.
As for what that secret was, Emma had no interest in finding out right now.
Let them be.
As soon as the car door opened, Michael walked over quickly. He was wearing a casual dark blue shirt, sleeves rolled up, revealing his defined forearms. The night breeze ruffled his hair, and his eyes, always gentle, filled with concern when he saw Emma's red, swollen eyes.
"Emma, why are you crying?" He reached out to touch her face but stopped midway, as if afraid to disturb her. "Where's Lucas?"
Emma instinctively took a step back. "Lucas went home with my mom." Her voice was still hoarse from crying. "I'm a bit tired, I want to rest."
Michael's gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds before he nodded considerately. "Alright, I'll have the kitchen prepare some hot soup for you."
Just then, the sound of retching came from the direction of the garage. Michael's brow furrowed slightly as he turned to look at Celeste, who had just gotten out of the car.
"Celeste, are you feeling unwell?" His voice remained gentle, but his eyes had turned sharp.
Celeste's face turned ashen, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt unconsciously. "It's nothing, maybe I ate something bad..."
Emma noticed Celeste's trembling fingers and quickly stepped forward to shield her. "Yeah, we had some bad food at the amusement park." She clutched her stomach, feigning discomfort. "I feel a bit nauseous too."
Michael's gaze shifted between the two of them, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Is that so? Then we should have a doctor take a look."
"No need!" Celeste's voice rose suddenly, then she realized her outburst and lowered her head, speaking softly. "I just need to rest, no need to trouble a doctor."
Emma felt Celeste trembling behind her, so she naturally linked her arm with Michael's. "Michael, I'm really tired. Can you come inside with me?"
This intimate gesture clearly surprised Michael. He looked down at Emma, the curiosity in his eyes gradually replaced by tenderness. "Alright, let's go inside." He turned to Celeste. "If you're not feeling well, go rest early."
As they walked into the mansion, Emma deliberately slowed her pace, hearing Celeste's hurried footsteps behind them. Michael's hand rested lightly on her waist, the warmth seeping through her thin clothes, yet it made her feel a strange chill.
"Emma, something's off with you today." Michael's voice sounded in her ear, his warm breath brushing her earlobe. "Did something happen?"
Emma forced herself to stay calm. "I almost lost Lucas at the amusement park, it scared me."
Michael's hand suddenly tightened. "Lost him?" His voice remained gentle, but Emma could feel the tension in his body. "What happened?"
"Nothing, I was just too nervous." Emma managed a weak smile. "Lucas went on the roller coaster, and I didn't hear him say it."
Michael's grip on her waist relaxed slightly, but his eyes remained intense. "You need to be more careful, Emma. We can't afford to lose him."
Emma nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "I know. I'll be more careful."
As they entered the mansion, the warmth and light inside contrasted sharply with the chill Emma felt. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong, and she needed to find out what it was before it was too late.
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