The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 390 You Really Refuse To Do Me Such A Little Favor

"After all, she is a young woman. It is quite easy and normal for her to get pregnant." Autumn tried to console Chris after she heard this shocking piece of information. Meanwhile, she wondered why Rachel had not informed Edward about her pregnancy in the first place, but instead called Chris to rub it in her face. This all seemed rather strange to her.

"What else did she tell you on this abrupt call?" Autumn asked curiously.

"She... asked me to come to a cafe in an hour to meet her. She said she had something rather important to discuss with me," Chris answered honestly, seeking some guidance. "Autumn, what do you think her intentions are for this sudden invitation? Should I go to meet her or not? Please advise me as I am just shocked beyond words..."

"Of course you have to go and meet her. I mean why would you not?" said Autumn in a high-pitched, excited voice. She was too eager to find out what happened. "In fact, if you want, I will come along with you!"

She really wanted to know what Rachel was up to next, so she encouraged Chris to meet her and listen to what she had to say now.

"Are you sure I should meet her? I mean after knowing what kind of a woman she is..." asked Chris again seeking assurance, as she was a little bogged down.

"Yes, I suppose so, " replied Autumn, as she looked into Chris's eyes.

As Chris went upstairs to change her clothes and get ready, Gary came up to Autumn and asked, "What were you two talking about right now? Did I hear it right, Rachel's pregnant?"

"Oh, yeah, at least that's what Rachel told Chris on the call," answered Autumn. She then noticed Gary's face turning pale upon getting the confirmation on what he thought he heard. "What's the matter, grandpa?" she inquired with concern almost immediately.

"But that's impossible..." Gary frowned and muttered vaguely. "How could she possibly get pregnant?"

"Hmph?" Autumn could not understand what was making Gary so nervous and stressed. "What, grandpa, what makes you say that? I mean why do you think she cannot conceive?"

"Oh, never mind." Gary's expression slowly returned to that of being calm and peaceful. "I was just wondering why she got pregnant so early into their marriage. I mean after all you know, Edward is old, and they got married not long ago," he explained his reasoning.

"You have a point, but who knows what goes on between a couple..." replied Autumn softly with a shrug.

While they were speaking, Chris came downstairs in a different dress, all ready to push off for coffee. "Are you heading out now?" Gary asked.

Autumn nodded and replied, "Yes, I am going to travel with Charles for a few days, and I have to buy some things for my trip."

Just to avoid getting Gary worried, Autumn did not tell him what they were going to do. "Grandpa, we're leaving, bye now." "Bye, please drive safely."

They then drove to the cafe Rachel had mentioned. And upon reaching the destination, they spotted her. There was a pot of rose tea steeping on her table, and she sat by the window quietly. It looked like she was listening to the rain trickling down on the window.

At the sight of them, Rachel immediately plastered on a beaming smile, while in stark contrast, Autumn and Chris appeared rather dull on acoount of the bad weather.

"You are here." As they sat down opposite her, she pushed the menu to them and asked them to order. "Since I'm pregnant, I have to maintain a strict diet now, and even my tea must be carefully chosen. I hope you don't mind that I ordered before you came, did you?"

Autumn and Chris actually thought it was impolite of her to do so, and they knew this was her subtle way of reminding them of her pregnancy.

Chris' hand had an itching desire to slap Rachel across her smug face, but instead she just addressed her in a disgusted tone. "I'm in no mood to sit here and have tea with you in a civil manner. Just get right to the point and tell me what you want from me, or we'll leave right now. I cannot afford to waste anymore time on this."

Rachel turned a deaf ear to her negative remarks, as she stroked her tummy and smiled at Autumn. "Charles and you have been married for quite a long time now. So the real question is why aren't you pregnant yet?"

Sensing the sarcasm in her tone, Autumn snapped back with a smile, "Charles and I are in no hurry to have children. After all, we're both young and we want to enjoy a few years of being together before we start a family. But your situation is different. You had to have a baby soon so that the father can spend more time with the baby."

Clearly, Autumn was mocking Rachel for marrying an older man.

Even then Rachel didn't express any anger as she remained calm. "Well, one should do what they should at a certain age. I am the right age to be a mother. And now that I'm married, I see no reason not to naturally conceive a child so that I can have someone to stand by me when I grow old. Don't you agree, Miss Zhao?" she continued to taunt Autumn.

She then laughed coldly and said, "Charles told me he wanted a baby earlier. I think you should pay more attention to what your husband thinks."

"Autumn is different from you. It is time you realize that." Chris sneered, and pointed out sharply, "You have to let nature take its course when it comes to such an amazing chapter such as pregnancy. But you, huh, just in a bid to claim my share of my dad's property, you were in such a hurry to have a baby despite his evident reluctance..."

Although Chris brought her trick to light, Rachel still kept smiling. "Chris, the baby in my tummy is also Edward's child. It is your blood, and you're stuck with it as well whether you like it or not. Even if your dad gives the child all the property, you have no choice but to accept it."

"Stop gloating about your wild ambition now?" Chris went on in a sarcastic tone. "I was wondering how long you would keep it a secret and play along this farce. I didn't expect you would be so excited to revea your evil intentions. Aren't you afraid to lose the baby?"

"You..." Rachel grew nervous upon hearing her words and immediately covered her tummy with her hands insecurely. This child was her only bargaining chip and now she had to protect by all means possible. And she finally was enraged as she lashed out on Chris, "How could you even think of saying such wicked things? After all it is your little brother or sister we are talking about. How dare you curse it to death! You are so insensitive and crude..."

"That's not what I meant," Chris sniffed in defence realizing what she had just said. "Your understanding and thoughts are impure, you see everything from a negative lens. So please now don't take it out on me."

Rachel frowned and recalled her purpose for inviting Chris to meet over tea. She then took a glance at her and said, "Chris, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Oh, now after all of this you find it appropriate to ask a favor from me? Are you kidding me?" Chris gave her a cold glance as she continued, "I don't think we know each other well enough for me to help you in any way possible. So no, I refuse to extent any form of assistance or help to you!"

"There is no need for you to be so abrupt and mean." Rachel frowned. "I'm your stepmother, and that cannot be challenged. With that said, I just want you to do me a little favor. Are you really going to be so heartless?"

Chris remained quiet with a straight face, and Rachel went on, "Chris, please listen to me. I once told your dad that I wanted to have a child, but he... had reacted rather harshly to the entire suggestion. He insisted that he wanted you to be his only child in his life. I'm afraid... if I tell him now that I'm pregnant and he doesn't want the baby, I will have to...

She lowered her head as she choked on her tears and words. "Now you are the person your dad loves and cares about the most. He will definitely listen to what you say. So, I want you to... persuade him to keep this baby. It has a life and I really... don't want to lose it. I cannot even think of aborting this life that grows inside of me."

"You are the mother. No one can stop you from keeping it," replied Chris. "What's more, this is a matter between you and my dad whether to keep the baby or not. As an outsider, I have no business getting involved in this. It is better if you deal with it yourself."

"You really refuse to do me such a small favor?" Rachel cried with a look of despair.

"Yes, handle it yourself, I am not doing you any favor!" Chris insisted indifferently.

She then left with Autumn, leaving Rachel alone there as they found her.