Chapter 212

"Pfft!" Vivian sprayed the soup across the table, her cheeks flaming. "Professor Kingsley, what kind of nonsense is that? Getting pregnant isn't that simple! People will misunderstand!"

Eleanor tilted her head, studying Vivian's midsection with a frown. "I see his point. Your stomach does look rounder lately..."

"Mrs. Kingsley, don't encourage him!" Vivian groaned before forcing a calm tone. "I've just been indulging since the divorce. No more strict diets like when I was married. Back then, I barely ate—that's why I was so thin!"

Leonard and Eleanor exchanged glances, nodding. "True," Eleanor conceded. "Women gain weight easily if they're not careful."

But Nathaniel's gaze remained fixed on Vivian. He'd caught the split-second panic she'd tried to mask. Over-explaining often meant hiding something. Was there really something unusual about her stomach?

He didn't press further. Instead, he handed her a napkin. "Clean yourself up."

After dinner, Nathaniel prepared to leave, but Isabella clung to him. "Brother Nathaniel, Sister Vivian, take me out! Mom and Dad are always tired, and I'm bored staying home!"

The elderly couple sighed. "She's right. We're too old for outings, and she spends too much time alone with books. Other children have young parents to show them the world..."

Trapped, Nathaniel and Vivian agreed.

They drove to a nearby mall. The moment they entered, Isabella dashed toward the arcade. "I want to shoot zombies!" she cried, zeroing in on a horror-themed game.

Nathaniel followed, but Vivian hesitated at the entrance. The arcade was crowded and loud—hardly safe for pregnancy.

"Why aren't you coming?" Nathaniel turned, arching a brow.

"I... didn't sleep well last night," Vivian lied. "It's too stuffy in there. I'll get dizzy."

Nathaniel held her gaze a beat too long before joining Isabella.

Soon, laughter echoed—or rather, Isabella's laughter. "Sister Vivian, Brother Nathaniel is amazing! He won so many tickets I got all these prizes!" She shoved a plush panda into Vivian's hands. "Mama Panda for you, Papa Panda for him, and..." She paused, pointing at Vivian's stomach. "Baby Panda stays with me until your baby arrives!"

Vivian stiffened. "Sweetheart, I'm not pregnant."

"You will be!" Isabella chirped.

Vivian shot Nathaniel a frantic look, relieved when he seemed distracted.

As they walked away, none noticed the shadow trailing them.