Darcy couldn't take it anymore. She spoke up, "You must have a lot on your plate. Please don't let us keep you." "Darcy!" her mother chided, then gave Hugo an apologetic look. "Hugo, don't mind her. My daughter's blunt—she says whatever pops into her head." "It's alright. I don't mind," Hugo said with a shake of his head, standing up. "I should probably get going, though. I don't want to overstay my welcome." "Oh, nonsense! Darcy, walk Hugo out." Ione shot her daughter a pointed look. Reluctantly, Darcy stood and followed him out the door. Downstairs, Darcy took a deep breath. "Thank you for getting Dr. Carter to see my mother today. But in the future..." She looked down at the ground. "...please don't do things like that. It's better if we keep our distance." Hugo's eyes grew somber. He understood her meaning. His voice turned rough. "Do you have a new boyfriend?" Darcy was taken aback. "Nope." "Then why can't I pursue you?" A wave of helplessness crashed over her. She sighed, "Do you really think that's even possible? Zane and I were together for seven years—and we ended things in the messiest way imaginable. You're his childhood friend. How am I supposed to face you?" "I don't care about that." "But I do! Every time I see you, I think of him. I think of the seven years I wasted!" The sun was setting, its last rays stretching Hugo's shadow long across the ground. Pain etched across his face. "But I really like you." Darcy turned her face away. "Matters of the heart require mutual feeling. I'm sorry. I don't have feelings for you. Please don't waste your time on me."Her cold attitude was like a dull knife, slowly carving into his heart. Hugo watched her retreating back, his expression crumbling. "I won't give up," he called out, putting all his strength into the words. "As long as you don't have a boyfriend, I have the right to pursue you!" Up ahead, Darcy's steps hitched. Then she kept going, never looking back as she headed into the inpatient wing. Hugo stood there for a long moment, lit a cigarette, and smoked it moodily before getting into his car and driving off. This entire scene was witnessed by Kaia, who had been hiding nearby. She was at the hospital for a prenatal checkup. Her pregnancy was stable now—time to put her plan into action for real. Holding the ultrasound images, she breathed a huge sigh of relief. The baby was healthy, and it was a boy. Her heart settled completely. This child was her ticket into the Cross family. Just as she stepped out of the outpatient building, she spotted Darcy and Hugo standing face-to-face, deep in conversation. She crept closer, hiding behind a pillar to listen. She hadn't expected to hear Hugo confessing his feelings—and Darcy foolishly rejecting him. Kaia covered her mouth. She'd suspected Hugo liked Darcy back at the hot spring resort during Christmas. But she'd assumed Zane stood between them, so Hugo wouldn't confess. Jealousy and resentment flooded Kaia's heart. She loved Hugo. She'd tried everything to get him to look her way, even plotting to get pregnant with his child. And Darcy? She did nothing, yet Hugo was fixated on her.Life is so unfair! Wiping away angry tears, Kaia looked at the photos on her phone. A strange, bitter smile twisted her lips. Darcy, I won't let you have what you want. Breaking up with your ex and then playing hard-to-get with his best friend? You've got no shame! The Sterling family was elite. They would never accept a future Mrs. Sterling with such a messy past. She sent the photo to Zora. Seconds later, Zora called her. "Where did you take this?" "At the hospital," Kaia said. "Darcy is so shameless, flirting with Hugo. If his parents knew about this, she's done." Zora sneered, "So you want me to be your messenger and send this to Hugo's mother." Caught, Kaia stammered, "N-no, that's not... I just think a woman like her doesn't deserve Hugo.""Really? She doesn't deserve him. And you think you do? Kaia, don't think I don't know what you're after. Be smart. Stop coveting what you can't have!" "Dr. Moss, I... I'm not!" Kaia bit her lip, confused by Zora's sudden 180-degree turn. They used to be so close. Then she remembered. Ever since the failed product launch, Zora had grown colder, barely acknowledging her in the office, assigning tasks through others. It's all Darcy's fault! If she hadn't humiliated Zora in front of everyone, Zora wouldn't be treating me like this! Kaia quickly tried to align herself. "Dr. Moss, I have nothing to do with Darcy anymore! We haven't spoken in ages. I despise her now!"