Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)

Chapter 424 What Can Be Lost, Clearly Doesn't Matter

For some reason, Bella felt like Hallie was scrutinizing her through those large sunglasses, making her feel slightly uncomfortable.

Hallie suddenly spoke as Bella wondered how to steer the conversation. "How many months along are you?"

She was clearly asking how far along Bella was in her pregnancy.

Bella instinctively placed a hand on her stomach. "Not quite five months. You go ahead and shop. I'll take a look at some maternity clothes."

Hallie suddenly grabbed her wrist. "I've heard about your pregnancy from Victor for some time now. I've been thinking about what kind of gift to get you-nothing too flashy, just something useful. Since the seasons are changing, I figured I'd buy you some comfortable clothes. You'll also need clothes for the baby after it's born."

Bella was momentarily confused. She felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint what. She glanced at Sean, who shrugged as if he didn't know either.

cost her nothing. She hadn't spent a dime of the money Dominic had transferred to

trying to process what had just

looked genuinely

Sean. "What's going on? Why is your mom buying

in your belly is mine? I'd be dead before I could finish the sentence. Perhaps it's because you're carrying Dominic's baby. My dad

course I wish the baby was mine, but you never

Sean was still as smooth-talking as ever. He was a typical young man, saying whatever came to his mind without a

shopping bags, Bella took pictures of the things Hallie had bought and sent them to Dominic, asking him to

treating her like she was invisible now. After all, there was no need for further words between them. The next prenatal checkup appointment came around. Dominic showed up uninvited

sky as if it were holding back a heavier storm. Cara dropped Bella off at Dominic's car and headed to the market with an