?Chapter 1714:


    Lowell’s expression twisted as conflicting emotions warred within him. This revtion—this cruel, bewildering twist of fate—left him reeling.


    Seeing his turmoil, Tracy tilted her head, her voice light, almost yful. “Aren’t you forgetting something? There’s still another surprise. Don’t you want to find it?”


    Lowell was momentarily stunned, but his mindtched onto the distraction. He began searching the living room, his movements stiff, his thoughts a whirlwind. Then, in the corner, he spotted a bag. A neatly wrapped gift. His fingers felt numb as he opened it. And then—his world tilted. His face drained of color as he stared at the contents.


    An ultrasound report. His voice came out in a strangled gasp. “You’re… pregnant?”


    Tracy’s eyes twinkled with unmistakable delight. She sped her hands together, swaying slightly. “Take a good look. Our baby is growing strong and healthy.”


    “I don’t know yet if it’s a boy or a girl, but with our resources, we can provide for either, can’t we?”


    Lowell’s grip on the report tightened as a storm of emotions churned inside him. He swallowed hard, struggling to steady his breath. Then, his voice turned cold, unyielding. “Get rid of it.”


    For the first time, Tracy hesitated. Then, her expression shifted—something sharp, something dark flickered across her face. She let out a low, chillingugh. “Get rid of it? No way. That’s not going to happen. This baby… This baby is my only leverage.”


    A fresh wave of shock mmed into Lowell. His hands trembled as he stared at her. “What?” His voice was barely more than a breath. “What do you mean?”


    Tracy no longer bothered with pretense. The mask—both literal and figurative—had long since fallen. Her lips curled into a smirk, her voiceced with venom. “You and your sister were merciless. That cliff was treacherous—towering above the raging sea, the waves below ready to devour me whole. And yet, you let go of my hand. You watched me fall.”


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    Lowell stiffened. The memory of that day shed before his eyes—so vivid, so raw, it felt like it was happening all over again. For just a fraction of a second, a flicker of pain crossed his face. But it was fleeting—quickly buried beneathyers of hardened emotion.


    Tracy ced a hand on her abdomen, her touch surprisingly gentle despite the madness gleaming in her eyes. A strange tendernessced her voice as she spoke. “But none of that matters. You all may have tried to kill me, but what doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger. And I’m happy to have this baby.”


    Lifting her head, she smiled. “From now on, my baby and I will be part of the Ruiz family. We’ll live with you all. How does that sound?”


    At that moment, rity struck Lowell—Tracy’s actions weren’t driven by love, but by pure, seething hatred. She despised his family and wanted nothing more than to shatter their peace.


    He rubbed his face, exhaustion weighing on him. Maybe he was just too drained today. His head felt light, almost dizzy. Still, he forced himself to think. He needed to make a decision—not just for himself, but for Tracy as well.


    His gaze drifted to her abdomen. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “We should go to the hospital and terminate the pregnancy. This child cannot be born.”


    Tracy’s expression darkened. Her voice was firm. “Why not? I’m your girlfriend. You promised to marry me. Now that I’m carrying your child, all that’s left is a wedding!”


    Lowell felt like she was deliberately pushing him to the edge, trapping him with no escape.


    The tension was suffocating—until his phone suddenly rang.


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