The Queen's Back

Chapter 237

Ava had already pieced it together. Even if she hadn't gotten a confirmation from Mona, she would've figured it out eventually.

Still, when Mona finally admitted she was pregnant, Ava couldn't contain her excitement.

"Mona, this is the best news! I don't even have to go through childbirth, and I'll get a little one to spoil! Don't worry, I won't tell anyone-not even Artemis and Elara. Let's see how long it takes for them to catch on."

After the call, Ava was so thrilled that she applied for leave and went straight out shopping. She was getting tired of her job anyway; her coworkers weren't exactly her favorite people, and she could afford a break.

When Mona finally got up, she walked down the thick carpet and headed to the living room. By the time Mona got downstairs, the living room looked like a baby supply store exploded. Ava was bustling around, directing shop assistants and juggling shopping bags. When she spotted Mona, she rushed over and helped her. "Mona, be careful! Come check out all the goodies I've got for your little one!"

Mona sighed as she glanced around at the piles of clothes, toys, and baby gear. Since Maxwell found out she was pregnant, he had gone all out, clearing out store shelves. Albert had also sent more baby clothes, and the Clem family dropped off a ton of toys. Now, with Ava's haul, the nursery rooms were stuffed to the brim.

Mona assumed it would take so many years to use it all, and by that time, the baby must've grown up.

"Ava, we already have so much stuff here. You think we could return a few of these?" Mona asked, trying to keep it light.

"Return them? No way! These are my gifts to the baby. You'll have plenty of use for all this," Ava said, cooing over a cute onesie. "Now, where is Hattie? She can help put these things away."

Mona just smiled, thinking of another idea. If they ended up with too much stuff, she would donate whatever they couldn't use. It was a nice way to build up some good karma for the little one. When Hattie saw Mona agree, she and the other servants began putting the clothes Ava sent into the room next to the baby's.

settled, Ava pulled Mona over to the sofa in the living room and stared at her stomach. "Your belly is so flat. Are you really pregnant?" Ava asked, clearly in disbelief. She looked at Mona's slender limbs and fair face; her waist was still so tiny. 'A pregnant woman shouldn't look like this, right?" Ava

"I promise I am! You'll see in a few

seemed a bit puzzled, then she reached out and placed her

with you and Joseph?" Mona suddenly

Mona wondered if they had any marriage plans since Ava

younger.

as Mona was about to dig deeper, Ava continued, "Joseph seems to want to marry me, but I'm not

eyebrow. "So, you don't want to

Having someone around feels like a big change, and I worry I might not adjust well.

I totally think you and Joseph should consider trying out marriage. Just see how it feels to

later. But speaking of big changes, I've been thinking about quitting my job

had been itching to find someone to help manage her own venture, and now was

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Chapter 237

want to start my own clothing brand. You handle the business stuff, and I'll take care of the designs. I know we can make it

decided she would

was settled. Mona would create the design drafts, they would split the funding, and Ava would handle all the management for their new

they hit the shops together after that. And as soon as they reached the car, Bud popped

Seeing him now, Ava felt surprisingly calm. No jitters

walk away, his gaze filled with a mix of emotions. "Ava, how have you