Chapter 2

The husband who was attentive to my every need before I got pregnant and always took my side suddenly changed. Before, when I married into the family, my friends envied me, saying that since my mother-in-law wasn't my husband's birth mother, he'd definitely take my side if conflicts arose and wouldn't favor his stepmother.

But now, I've discovered that my husband is being excessively nice to this stepmother!

Afterward, wanting to calm down and think things through, I moved into the guest bedroom and began giving Gunner the cold shoulder.

On the weekend, I went to the study to work and found Gunner there, intensely focused on his computer.

Seeing me enter, he smiled and waved as if nothing was wrong: "Olivia, take a look at these two maternity care centers and tell me which one's better. I need to book one in advance to make sure we get a spot."

Lately, I've been feeling down. The joy and excitement I initially felt about my pregnancy have completely vanished. I often find myself touching my belly, wondering what Gunner's true nature really is. Was his politeness and gentleness over the past few years all just an act, and is yesterday's behavior his true self? This baby... did I get pregnant too hastily?But when I saw that Gunner had started choosing a maternity care center for me so far in advance, and with such care and attention to detail, I was reminded of his previous thoughtfulness towards me, and my heart softened a bit.

I pointed to the one on the right and said, "How about this one? I think my coworker stayed at this maternity care center before and said it was quite good."

Gunner nodded in agreement, "I prefer this one too. They also have a professional medical team, which would give me more peace of mind when Mom stays there."

In an instant, the smile on my face froze. Shame and anger flooded my brain, as if someone had slapped me right across the face, mocking me for being so presumptuous!

"Gunner, what exactly do you mean? You're not happy or concerned about my pregnancy at all, but you care more about your stepmother than me!" I questioned him angrily, my eyes reddening.

Seeing that I was upset, Gunner quickly tried to soothe me, "Darling, you've misunderstood. I was wrong to argue with you last time, but didn't Dad ask me to take good care of Mom? Mom is considered an older pregnant woman at her age, so of course I need to be more attentive.""The maternity care center was definitely chosen for both of you. Did you think I'd forget about you, darling?"

Despite his gentle reassurances, I couldn't bring myself to believe him. My heart sank. The next moment, I heard a cold snort from the doorway.

"Huh! Young girls these days are so clueless. Isn't it only natural for Gunner to be filial to me, his mother? Don't you even understand that? Getting jealous over something like this - how petty and small-minded!"

I immediately turned my head to see my mother-in-law, heavily made up and dressed in a skimpy, thin red dress that was extremely provocative. Because I had turned away, I missed seeing Gunner's look of admiration.

With old grievances compounding new ones, I watched my mother-in-law's triumphant demeanor and could no longer hold back: "Mom, please don't interfere in matters between Gunner and me as husband and wife. Isn't it going too far for you, an elder, to come here and eavesdrop?"

"Ha! Don't get it twisted. This is Frost Estate, and you're just staying here temporarily! Every inch of this house is mine. Where can't I go?"You're right downright rude to your elders when you're living under someone else's roof. How utterly classless!

"Last I checked, this is the Frost Estate, and if I'm not mistaken, you're a Chen, right Mother-in-law? Since we're both guests here, what gives you the right to lecture me like you own the place? Who's really the classless one here? Is this bitter nastiness supposed to be prenatal education for your baby, Mother-in-law?" I shot back without holding back.

"You—" Mother-in-law was caught off guard by my harsh words. She was fuming and about to continue berating me when Gunner stepped in and pulled her away.

"That's enough, both of you. You're both pregnant and can't be getting upset!"

"Olivia, I'll go talk some sense into Mom. Try to calm down, okay?"

My relationship with Mother-in-law has always been rocky. From the first time we met, she's constantly tried to make trouble for me. But every time conflict arose in the past, Gunner would always have my back and actively mediate to defuse the situation before it escalated.

Last night was the only exception.

Seeing them both walk away, I was in no mood to look at maternity care centers anymore. I opened my laptop and started revising my proposal instead.By the time I finally finished, I realized over an hour had passed. Hadn't Gunner gone to persuade my mother-in-law? How could it have taken him this long without returning?

Just as I was starting to wonder, Gunner walked into the study, his face flushed and wearing a broad smile.

Looking at the expression on his face, his slightly swollen lips, and the fresh pajamas he'd changed into, a strange feeling in my gut grew stronger and stronger.