Chapter 595 Concealment
Celeste dragged her aching body back to her room, her trembling fingers scrolling through her phone contacts. When she saw "Zachary," she hesitated. He was Michael's best friend, and asking him for help felt like making a deal with the devil.
But she had no other choice.
The moment the call connected, Celeste almost broke down in tears. "Zachary, I..."
"Celeste?" Zachary's cheerful voice came through the line. "Calling me so early? Miss me already?"
Hearing his familiar teasing tone, Celeste's nerves eased slightly. "Zachary, I need your help."
There was a brief silence on the other end before Zachary's voice turned serious. "Where are you? I'll be right there."
Half an hour later, Zachary's red sports car pulled up at the back door of the mansion. He was wearing a flashy shirt with the collar casually open, looking every bit the carefree playboy.
"Michael, that bastard," Zachary muttered, squinting at Celeste's pale face and trembling hands. "He's at it again, isn't he?"
Celeste bit her lip and nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.
Zachary sighed and ruffled her hair. "Alright, stop crying. Tell me, what's going on this time?"
When he heard the word "pregnant," Zachary took a dramatic step back. "Damn it! Whose kid is it? It can't be Michael's, can it?"
Celeste couldn't bring herself to lie to Zachary, but she also couldn't admit the truth. She lowered her head in silence.
Zachary understood immediately. He sighed deeply. "So, what do you need now?"
"Michael wants to take me to the hospital for a check-up," Celeste's voice grew quieter. "If they find out..."
"Got it." Zachary snapped his fingers. "Leave it to me."
Zachary pulled out his phone and made a call. "I have a friend who needs a check-up at your hospital today. Can you arrange something special?"
After hanging up, he winked at Celeste. "All set. The deputy director at Clarity Medical Center is a friend of mine. He'll arrange a 'special' check-up for you."
Celeste still felt uneasy. "But what about Michael..."
"Don't worry." Zachary waved dismissively. "As long as I'm around, Michael will have to show some respect."
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "But Celeste, you need to tell me the truth. What are you planning to do with the baby?"
Tears finally spilled from Celeste's eyes. "I want to keep it. It's my only child."
Zachary's expression softened, and he nodded seriously. "Alright, I'll help you."
When Michael's convoy arrived at the hospital, Zachary was already lounging at the entrance.
"Michael!" he called out enthusiastically. "What a coincidence!"
Michael frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"Getting a check-up!" Zachary grinned, throwing an arm around Michael's shoulder. "Why don't we go together?"
Michael's gaze lingered on Celeste for a few seconds before he replied indifferently, "Suit yourself."
During the check-up, Zachary stuck close to Michael, constantly cracking jokes. "Hey, Michael, doesn't this machine look like the one we saw last time?"
"Why are doctors always so serious these days?"
Michael finally snapped. "Can you be quiet for a minute?"
"Alright, alright." Zachary raised his hands in surrender, taking the opportunity to signal Celeste.
Thanks to Zachary's arrangements, Celeste's test samples were quietly switched. When the doctor came out with a report stating "everything is normal," Michael looked surprised.
"Just a stomach bug?" He scrutinized the report, his eyes sharp.
Under Zachary's watchful eye, the doctor nodded calmly. "Yes, Mr. Russell. I recommend rest and a light diet."
Michael turned to Celeste. "Are you sure there's nothing else wrong?"
Celeste's heart pounded, but she forced herself to meet Michael's gaze. "Yes, I'm sure."
At that moment, Zachary suddenly clutched his stomach and exaggeratedly cried out, "My stomach hurts! Doctor, help!"
Michael, distracted by the commotion, waved dismissively. "Alright, if there's nothing wrong, let's go."
On the way back, Celeste finally relaxed. She glanced at her phone and saw a message from Zachary:
[Back Alley Café, see you in half an hour. Make sure you're not followed.]
Her fingers trembled as she replied, "Okay."
When Celeste arrived at the café, Zachary was already waiting in the farthest corner. For once, he wasn't wearing his usual flashy clothes, just a simple white shirt.
As soon as she sat down, Zachary pushed a cup of hot milk towards her. "Warm up first." His usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by concern as he noticed the bruises on her wrist. "Does it hurt?"
Celeste instinctively pulled her hand back, feeling the warmth of the milk seep into her palm. Her nose tingled, and tears fell into the cup.
"Zachary," her voice was hoarse, "thank you."
"It's nothing. I've watched you grow up. Michael's been losing it lately, but I'm still sane."
The café's dim lighting cast shadows on Zachary's face, making his expression hard to read.
He ran a hand through his hair, lowering his voice. "Are you sure you want to keep it?"
Celeste gently placed her hand on her still-flat stomach, remembering that chaotic night when Michael, drunk and calling out "Emma," had kicked her out of bed with a cold glare the next morning.
"This is the only thing I have left of him," she whispered.
Zachary stared at her for a long moment before grabbing his jacket. "Let's go."
"Where to?"
"The real hospital!" He gritted his teeth, pulling her up. "You've been beaten up like this. How can the baby be okay?"
Celeste was still shaking as Zachary shoved her into his car. He cranked up the heat, muttering curses. "Michael's a lunatic. When he sobers up, I'll beat some sense into him."
The sports car sped through the night, and Celeste watched Zachary's tense profile. The usually carefree man now had a jawline as sharp as a knife.
In the VIP room of a private hospital, a female doctor frowned at the ultrasound image. "The embryo isn't stable, and your progesterone levels are too low." She glanced disapprovingly at Celeste's injuries. "You've also suffered physical trauma?"
Zachary paced anxiously. "Can you save it?"
"We'll start with progesterone injections," the doctor said, adjusting her glasses. "Absolute bed rest for two weeks. Any more stress and it'll be too late."
As Celeste lay in bed receiving the IV, Zachary was on the phone, furious. "Cancel the project meeting! What's more important than a life?" He hung up and turned to Celeste with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. The company can run without me for a while."
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