Chapter 3

The color instantly drained from Christine's face. Before she could respond, a loud clatter reverberated through the room. Caleb had overturned the table. Drinks spilled across the floor, and the entire room fell into stunned silence. Everyone looked up to meet his dark, stormy expression. "Do you have any shame asking a lady such a question?" The guy who had asked the question sobered up immediately. His face was pale, and he dared not speak another word. Christine stood up and announced with a trembling voice, "I'm not feeling too well. I'm going to head back for now." With that, she turned and left. Caleb kicked aside an empty glass and added coldly, "I'm going out for a smoke." Only after he left did the group erupt in murmurs. "What's going on? Wasn't Cal just joking around earlier? What made him snap so suddenly?" "Are you an idiot? He jokes, but only with some people and not others. Don't you get it?" His close friends were about to explain further when they noticed Sophia sitting there, her face deathly pale. They quickly fell silent. Sophia got up and walked out of the room. At the entrance of the karaoke bar, she saw Christine and Caleb. Christine tossed a bag to the ground and frigidly stated, "My apologies, but I don't like accepting favors from someone who already has a girlfriend." "You..." Caleb sounded frustrated, but more than that, he seemed helpless. "I heard from your roommate that you've been feeling under the weather lately. I know you're busy studying, but you can't neglect your health. What if it gets worse?" Christine pressed her lips together and said no more. Caleb picked up the bag and shoved it back into her hands. "I'm begging you. Please, just take care of yourself, okay?" Standing nearby, Sophia finally looked away, unable to watch any further. So this was what preferential treatment meant. For Christine, a slight cold made him rush over with medicine. When she told him she was running a temperature, all he said was how warm her body must feel. One inappropriate comment, and he had lost his temper on Christine's behalf. Yet, she had been the subject of countless crude jokes, and he never protested. The difference between love and indifference was stark. Tears welled up in her eyes uncontrollably. When her phone rang, she picked it up numbly, only to hear Pauline's excited voice. "My darling daughter, I've booked the tickets! I'll be flying off with you next week. Anyway, I just remembered—you mentioned you had a boyfriend and wanted to introduce him. Now that you're going abroad for grad school, what's happening with your relationship?" Sophia turned slightly, catching a final glimpse of the ex-couple. Christine was getting into a car while Caleb stood watching with visible concern. She retracted her gaze and replied softly, "It's fine. We broke up." In her heart, she declared, "Caleb Lancaster, I won't love you anymore. Not even an ounce." … The next day, Sophia went to the hospital for a medical checkup. Considering access to healthcare abroad may not be as convenient, she wanted to ensure her health was in order before leaving. After picking up her report, she ran into Christine and Caleb. "Sophia?" Caleb called, his voice filled with surprise. Before he could say anything else, Christine interjected with a flat voice. "Caleb, I told you—you don't need to accompany me. I can check in on my own." She turned and walked off, leaving Caleb behind. That was when his eyes fell on the folder in Sophia's hands. His brows furrowed. "Why are you at the hospital? You..." His expression suddenly changed. "You're not pregnant, are you?" Sophia was startled. Looking around, she realized that the physical examination department was right next to the obstetrics and gynecology wing. That must have led him to misunderstand. She was about to deny it when a thought crossed her mind. Instead, she stopped herself and said, "What if I said I am?"