Maxwell was still staring at the,ncy test report when he heard Mona call his name. He looked over and replied, "Yeah?"


    "Are you happy about this baby?" Mona


    aved quietly.


    Honestly, she didn''t even need to ask. The look on his face said it all-he was over the moon. Since she stepped out of the exam room, that grin hadn''t left his face.


    Then, Maxwell tucked the pregnancy test report away and ced his hand on her shoulder. "I''m thrilled. I''ll love this baby, especially since it''s ours!"


    He wasn''t really into kids, but this baby was different-thin


    one was his and Mona''s. His feelings for this little one were all tied to his love for her, unlike some guys who get so caught up in being a dad that they forget about their partners.


    "Maxwell, soon you''ll have another family member. The spreading across her face.


    and I will love you and be with you forever," she said, a smile


    Maxwell just leaned in and kissed her forehead gently, whispering, "I know."


    After that, they headed to the doctor''s offi made sure to jot everything down.


    The doctor went over a ton of things they needed to keep in mind, and Maxwell


    Since Mona was still early in her pregnancy, there was no need for an ultrasound just yet. They woulde back in a month for that and to set up a health card for the baby. Before they left, the doctor added, "Remember, no sleeping together for the first three months. You guys need to keep that in mind!"


    Once they were out of the Gynecology Department, Mona shed a grin at Maxwell. "Congrats again, Mr. Carter! You''re going to be a dad!"


    This baby was both what Maxwell had expected and a little surprising at the same time. Excitement bubbled up in his heart, but it still felt like a dream.


    "Mona, congrats on bing a mom! I''m going to do my best to be a great dad and husband," he said, beaming.


    "Hubby, you''re already doing awesome!" Mona grinned back. She felt way happier in this life than in her past one.


    *****


    When they got back to the Clem family''s house, Albert was on high alert. He would remind Mona to watch her step on the stairs and spoke to her like in a soft tone.


    "Hey, you''re back! Come sit with us. Albert filled us in. No wonder you seemed a little off today; I totally didn''t think about it that way. Good thing Polly was around," Jane said with a smile.


    She was buzzing at the thought of a cute little baby joining the family. All she hoped was that she would be around long enough to see Mona''s little one grow up.


    "Wow, the little girl who used to cling to me is all grown up now. Soon enough, she''s going to be a mom!" Bernard chuckled, shaking his head. Time really flew, and he felt it in his bones. "Grandpa, no matter how old I get, I will always be your Mona," she said softly. Regardless of how her life changed, she would always be the youngdy of the Clem family,


    Mona decided not to tell the extended Clem family about her pregnancy; it was just for their immediate circle. Polly advised keeping it under wraps for the first three months until things were stable.


    So, Mona made sure to tell Albert to keep it quiet, even from Barbara. He nodded, getting it. He was itching to share the good news with Barbara but thought it was best to wait for a while.


    Mona was worried that Barbara mighte up with some dangerous ideas and harm the baby. After all, whenever Mona wasn''t doing well or feeling happy, Barbara seemed to take pleasure in it. The first three months of pregnancy were crucial. Eventually, the conversation shifted to Mona''s job. With her on break and a baby on the way, Bernard suggested she resign and move back to the family home. Jane quickly agreed-it was a big life change, after all.


    Mona turned to Maxwell, asking, "What do


    you think?"


    9:22 AM


    Truthfully, after the Noretin Design Competition, Mona had been rethinking her job. Thepetitions had all felt a bit too shady.


    She wanted to start her own business and create her own brand, but with a baby on the way, her ns would be on hold for at


    least a year.


    Maxwell squeezed her hand. "Mona, whatever you decide, I''m with you. I just don''t want you overworking yourself. Let''s put the job on pause for now. Once the baby''s here, if you want to get back to work, I''ll take care of the baby." "And if I want to start my own brand? Launch my own designs?" she asked, imagining the risks and expenses.


    If opening a clothing store didn''t work out, it would be a lot of money down the drain, and just thinking about it made her heart sink.


    However, Maxwell didn''t hesitate. "Then you go for it."


    "If it doesn''t work, that''s a lot of cash gone," she said, a littleContent is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Maxwell grinned. "Doesn''t matter. You spend it, I''ll just


    For him, money wasn''t an issue; he was already set on Loverobably


    faster


    than you can spend it


    it it."


    working hard snag Carter Group as soon as he could.


    Hearing Maxwell say it out loud made her heart leap with


    joy, even though Mona had expected his support.


    "That''s what I like to hear!" Bernard chuckled, grinning. "You''ve got backbone, son. No wonder Mona''s smitten with you."


    shoulder and said, "Do what you want; the Clem family''s got your back." Then Bernard gave Maxwell a firm pat on th He''d been watching Maxwell''s efforts to restore and expand thepanytely. It was clear he had big ns ahead. Rumors had already spread about Maxwell cutting ties with the Carter family. People whispered that Richard had kicked him out, that he was just an illegitimate son with no real standing. Some were even betting on how soon Mona and Maxwell would divorce.


    as a business alliance between the Clem family and the Carter family. Now that After all, when they married, everyone saw it Maxwell was out, they assumed the Clem family would drop him too.


    But Bernard had always liked Maxwell for who he was, not for hisst name. He saw Maxwell as the one with the potential to rebuild the Carter Group and make it something even greater, not as someone relying on the Carter family.


    It didn''t matter if he no longer had ties there


    To Bernard, Maxwell was Mona''s husband and part of the Clem family. And someday, when Bernard was gone, he would leave the Clem family in Maxwell''s hands-as long as he continued to cherish Mona and their children.