Share

Chapter 286 - The Test

Author: Anney GW
last update Last Updated: 2025-10-22 15:40:52
Vienna’s POV

The next morning, the lab team arrived right on time. A white van parked neatly in front of Petit Paris just as the sun was rising.

Two technicians stepped out, Melissa among them, carrying small boxes and a clipboard.

My stomach churned as I let them in through the back door. "Morning," I greeted, trying to sound bright. "Thank you for coming so early."

"Of course," Melissa said warmly. "Won’t take long. We’ll just gather everyone and explain what we’re doing."

By the time my team arrived, Melissa was already setting up a little testing station near the kitchen door.

"Morning, everyone!" she announced cheerfully. "We’re from Kingsford Diagnostics. Your manager, Vienna, has agreed to let us run a routine workplace screening for illegal substances."

There was a beat of stunned silence. Then Zoey laughed. "You mean, like… we all have to pee in a cup?"

Melissa smiled. "Exactly that."

A few chuckles rippled through the group, but Ashley didn’t laugh.

While Melissa and her pa
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • Regretful Heart: CEO's Tears Over Her Pregnancy   Chapter 319 - Keeping Him Company

    Vienna’s POVIn an instant, those pictures of Lauren and Warren kissing flooded my mind again with brutal clarity.My knees nearly buckled. My lungs forgot how to work.For a heartbeat, I just stood frozen in the doorway, staring at her curled against him like she belonged there. Then my pulse slammed back to life, roaring in my ears."Lauren?" I croaked. My voice sounded like it wasn’t even mine.She jerked upright, startled, but only for a second. Almost instantly, her surprise was replaced by a smug little curl of her lips. She smoothed Warren’s blanket with slow, deliberate strokes."Vienna," she purred. "I was just… keeping him company."Something snapped. I didn’t even know I was moving until I was right in front of her, finger trembling as I jabbed it toward her chest."You need to keep your hands off him," I hissed, every word vibrating with fury. "He’s in a coma, for God’s sake. This is harassment."Her eyes widened, but only briefly. Then that infuriating amusement returned,

  • Regretful Heart: CEO's Tears Over Her Pregnancy   Chapter 318 - Trauma Bond

    Vienna’s POV"Those dates we had…" Edward’s voice was low, almost hesitant. "I— I had the most fun I’ve had in a long time, V." He gave a small, nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I haven’t felt this way about anyone since—"He stopped himself, eyes darting away."Since…?" I asked softly.He shook his head. "Doesn’t matter. What matters is that… when you told me you didn’t want to see me again, I spiraled. I was angry, hurt. That’s how Wayne and Desiree got to me. They used my pain against me, and I let them. I just…" His voice cracked slightly. "I just wish I could have another chance to show you the kind of man I can be."I blinked at him, stunned. His vulnerability caught me completely off guard. "Edward, I… I don’t know what to say. It’s just that—""Warren," he finished for me, a sad, knowing smile pulling at his lips. "Yeah. I know."I swallowed hard. "He… he’s been through the same things I have. It’s… different.""I get that," Edward said quietly. "I really do. Wha

  • Regretful Heart: CEO's Tears Over Her Pregnancy   Chapter 317 - The Baker’s Back

    Vienna’s POV"Vienna! You’re back!"The cheerful voice came from somewhere in front of me. A customer near the counter, maybe one of the regulars."Oh, look! It’s Vienna!" another voice called out, followed by a ripple of murmurs and warm greetings.For a second, I tried to respond. To smile. To be the Vienna they remembered. But the sound of their voices felt distant, muffled, like I was underwater. My chest tightened, my breath came too fast.The bakery’s familiar hum suddenly felt too loud, too bright, too much.My eyes stung. I blinked hard, forcing a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. "H-hi," I managed to whisper, waving vaguely at no one in particular.I couldn’t even see their faces—just shapes and colors through the haze of tears. The air felt thick, my pulse wild.I turned sharply and pushed past the line of customers, murmuring apologies as I hurried toward the back.When I finally shoved through the kitchen doors, the noise faded behind me. My vision blurred co

  • Regretful Heart: CEO's Tears Over Her Pregnancy   Chapter 316 - Hope & Pity

    Vienna’s POVThe monitor’s steady rhythm carried on, unchanged. But I could’ve sworn I saw the faintest flutter in his eyelids. I leaned closer, heart hammering. "Warren," I whispered. "If you can hear me… squeeze my hand." No response. Only the stillness, heavy and electric. But I knew what I’d felt. Something had changed. If only for a second.Later, when I told the doctors, they exchanged looks that made my heart sink."It’s likely just a muscle reflex, Ms. McAllister," one of them explained gently. "A comatose body sometimes reacts that way without conscious control."I stared at him, my throat tight. "You didn’t see what I saw," I said, my voice trembling. "It wasn’t just a twitch. He’s trying to come back."The doctor sighed softly, sympathetic but firm. "I know you want to believe that. But please, don’t get your hopes up too soon. Reflexes like that are quite common, but generally don’t mean anything."I walked out of the room before he could finish his explanation. No. I

  • Regretful Heart: CEO's Tears Over Her Pregnancy   Chapter 315 - Silent Witnesses

    Vienna’s POVFred blinked, and then smiled faintly. "Yeah. I started seeing it too, once Dad told me the truth. Same cheekbones. Same nose, even that little line between your brows."A lump rose in my throat. "God… How did I never see him before?""Hey." Fred turned toward me, his voice steady. "You were in Paris, then started a new bakery. You’ve had more than enough to deal with."I shook my head firmly. "No. I should’ve been here for him."Fred pulled me into a side hug, his arm steady around my shoulder. "Jason’s been here for years, Vi. He’s not going anywhere. You can start now."I brushed a hand across Jason’s blanket, the sterile fabric cool under my fingers. "I’m sorry," I whispered. "For not coming sooner. For not knowing you."Fred watched silently, eyes glossy.I leaned a little closer, my voice trembling. "I’ll come visit more often, okay? I promise. You’re not forgotten."The machines hummed softly in response, and for a moment, it felt like he could hear me.Fred cleared

  • Regretful Heart: CEO's Tears Over Her Pregnancy   Chapter 314 - First Steps

    Vienna’s POVThe next morning, I sat in my car outside a modest brick building tucked between a bakery and a florist. I gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white. I’d barely slept. My stomach was in knots. But Edward’s words echoed in my head: You’ve already survived the worst part. Now you get to learn how to breathe again.So I took one deep, shaky breath, and went inside.The therapist’s office smelled faintly of lavender and old books. Soft light filtered through sheer curtains. The shelves were lined with pottery and framed quotes about courage and healing. It felt… safe.Behind the desk sat a woman in her late sixties with silver hair cut neatly at her jaw and kind eyes behind round glasses. Her name was Dr. Elaine Merrick. She rose to greet me with a small smile."You must be Vienna," she said, her voice warm and steady. "Come in, dear. Make yourself comfortable wherever you like."I sat on the couch, my hands fidgeting in my lap. "I, um… don’t really know ho

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status