Chapter 18: Be at My Beck and Call from Now On

In the blink of an eye, the day for Vivian Hale's follow-up appointment arrived.

The medicine bottle was empty, and her period for the month had yet to arrive.

Vivian took a deep breath, changed into a cream-apricot cashmere maxi dress, and headed out with her medical records in hand.

In less than half an hour, she reached the hospital, where the sharp scent of disinfectant hit her nostrils.

Sitting across from the doctor, Vivian’s hand, resting on her lower abdomen, tightened instinctively.

"Doctor Zhang, my results..."

The middle-aged female doctor sat opposite her, holding the pathology report with her brow slightly furrowed.

"I'm sorry, Miss Hale, but you are still not pregnant."

Vivian’s heart suddenly felt hollow.

Her voice was a bit strained: "Is it still because of my physical condition?"

The doctor, however, was not as despairing as she was; her tone was actually somewhat upbeat.

"Yes, but you are actually recovering quite well. If you want a child, you just need to hurry. If you wait until you're older, there’s a risk of developing nodules, and conception will become even more difficult then."

"I’ll prescribe another course of medication for you. Take it regularly and maintain a steady frequency of intercourse with your husband."

Vivian’s heart was a whirlpool of emotions.

She stood up, thanked the doctor, and walked out of the consulting room with her slip.

In the hallway, several pregnant women were waiting for their check-ups.

Watching their bulging bellies, Vivian’s hand involuntarily drifted to her own abdomen.

Was heaven truly so unwilling to show her mercy?

Or perhaps, it simply required more attempts.

Vivian bit her lip, her gaze growing increasingly complex.

Just as she stepped out of the hospital, before she could even call for a ride, a low-profile yet luxurious Maybach pulled up beside her.

A second later, the window slid down slowly, revealing a sculpted, handsome face.

It was Adrian’s double!

Vivian didn't know why she was so certain, but lately, she had found it very easy to distinguish between the two.

What was he doing here at this time?

Before Vivian could react, the man spoke first.

"Get in."

Her brow furrowed slightly.

This man’s identity was too mysterious, and she didn't want to be entangled. Moreover, even though she had been very frequent with him, she still wasn't pregnant.

Perhaps it was this man who was useless.

At that thought, Vivian lost all interest in playing along with him and spoke coldly.

"I have things to do; I can't go back with you."

The man gave a light laugh and suddenly said, "Adrian will be passing through here in a moment. Aren't you afraid he’ll see you and realize you never went on that trip?"

Vivian’s steps came to a halt. She turned her head and stared fixedly at him.

So, this man had known all along that she had found out?

Then why was he still playing along with her?

Vivian’s mind became even more cluttered.

Seeing the man’s composed manner, she eventually opened the back door of the car.

She wanted to find out exactly what he was up to.

A faint scent of cedar lingered inside the car.

The driver lowered the partition, creating a private space for them.

The surroundings became so quiet that one could hear a heartbeat.

Vivian didn't beat around the bush. She looked straight into the deep eyes of the man beside her and asked, "Who exactly are you?"

The man did not look away. He partially lowered his gaze, casting a shadow beneath his eyes.

"Who do you want me to be?"

The atmosphere suddenly stagnated, carrying an inexplicable sense of ambiguity.

Vivian didn't answer, her soft red lips pressed tight.

She was dressed gently today, and with her long black hair draped over her shoulders, she looked even more enchanting.

The man’s Adam's apple bobbed twice, and he couldn't help but lean forward.

He wanted to steal a kiss.

However, just as he was about to make contact, Vivian suddenly turned her head away.

The man missed, his lips grazing her earlobe.

He paused, then gave a low chuckle: "What, are you scared? You weren't like this before."

Vivian felt his breath fanning against her cheek.

While it felt hot, she also felt a wave of displeasure.

The man in front of her had known everything yet still kept her dancing in the palm of his hand.

This feeling only made her uncomfortable.

She stared directly into the man’s face.

"Sorry, but in a sense, I only have one husband, and that is Adrian Cross."

The man’s expression darkened instantly.

The temperature in the cabin seemed to drop, and a turbulent, unreadable emotion surged in his dark eyes.

He suddenly reached out, grabbing Vivian’s small chin, nearly speaking through gritted teeth.

"So what? You call out 'Husband' so beautifully and sweetly at night, and every single time, you are calling out to me!"

Vivian clearly saw the possessiveness and jealousy in the man’s eyes—it was enough to consume her.

While she felt a slight sense of suffocation, she also confirmed one thing.

This man wasn't helping Adrian to harm her.

He... wanted her for himself?

Vivian narrowed her long fox-like eyes and suddenly smiled.

"Yes, you're right. It’s all the same regardless of who I call husband."

As she spoke, the car came to a steady stop in front of her current apartment building.

The driver in the front reminded them: "Boss, we've arrived."

The man seemed to snap out of a trance.

Vivian had already opened the door and stepped out.

She stood by the door, giving the man a soft smile.

"So, are you coming upstairs with me?"

The man’s breath hitched.

A dark glint flashed in his eyes, and he actually followed Vivian out of the car.

They went all the way into the bedroom.

The lights were bright; both were fully conscious, and even their cards had been laid on the table.

Vivian no longer felt the tension and trepidation she once had.

Two lights were turned off, making the room even more dim and ambiguous.

Vivian’s pale, jade-like fingers slid gently across the man’s chest, her tone lingering: "You and he... really are exactly the same."

The man could no longer endure it and grabbed her hand.

"I wouldn't be so sure."

As soon as he spoke, his kiss followed.

Vivian panted slightly, two patches of crimson blooming on her cheeks.

But she hadn't forgotten her purpose for tonight.

A flash of cunning crossed her eyes, and she intentionally whispered into the man’s ear.

"Adrian..."

The man’s movements came to a violent halt.

Before Vivian could react, she was flipped over by a surge of raw force.

The man forced her to face him, the corners of his eyes bloodshot.

"Try calling me that one more time."

Vivian controlled her breathing and chuckled.

"What, are you angry? So you can get jealous after all."

The man’s aura was completely disrupted: "Vivian Hale, don't play with fire!"

She panted, trying her best to finish her sentence.

"No matter who you are, if you want to pretend, then pretend until the end. I have no interest in knowing your true identity. To me, you are Adrian Cross, and from now on, I want you to be at my beck and call. When I look for you, you must come."

She needed a child, and she had to get one as soon as possible.

Since the man before her was using Adrian’s identity to get close to her, he had to be prepared to become her tool.