CEO's Tears Over Pregnancy Test Discovery

Hearing Wilfred's suggestion, Karina was stunned for a moment. After some careful thought, she shook her head. "No, I'd rather not." Now it was Wilfred's turn to be caught off guard.

"Switching back and forth isn't a solution. Looking back, I shouldn't have left in the first place. Were those people really capable of doing anything to me? Probably not. I just wanted to avoid trouble," Karina said slowly.

A person's family would have a way of shaping their personality, and Karina's upbringing with the Stone family had left her overly cautious-afraid of causing trouble or confronting conflict.

But now, after everything she'd been through, she wasn't scared anymore. Trouble was just trouble. She could handle it.

"I'll face whatever comes my way," she added. "If it's a challenge, I'll rise to it."

When she shared her thoughts, there was silence on the other end of the line. Worried she might have disappointed him, Karina hesitated. "Did I let you down?"

"No." Wilfred's quiet laugh came through, sounding lighter than before, almost tender. It carried the warmth of a spring breeze, soft and soothing.

"I'm proud of you for thinking this way," he said.

*

put to rest, and Wilfred

Karina completed

a recommendation letter the very day

this to him, astonished, he only replied, "It's not too soon.

marvel at his confidence, which

initial surprise subsided, she asked casually, "Have you been busy

"What makes you ask?"

you haven't called in a while," Karina admitted after

they weren't in the same city, their frequent calls made it feel as though Wilfred was always nearby. She had grown accustomed to it-so much so

she couldn't help but

thought about calling him the day before

Wilfred was speaking to someone. Not wanting to intrude, she waited quietly. When his voice returned, it was warm but noncommittal.

you tell me

he said with a

in surprise. If anyone had seen her at

so that Karina didn't even realize she had been sidetracked until after they hung up. Frustrated but amused, she muttered to herself, "He