San Francisco Center for Reproductive HealthSan Francisco, California, US. 10 AMThey had been in San Francisco for two days. Yesterday she asked Michael to walk around exploring California from afternoon to night because she was bored in the apartment. There weren't many tourist spots they could visit, so they just walked around a few food street spots to spend time in the afternoon.Then finally, the day that Claire had been waiting for came…Claire lay nervously as the obstetrician did some checkups on her.She and Michael arrived at the clinic an hour ago, and she has gone through lab tests, including blood, urine, and other tests. The check-up aims to determine hormone progesterone levels, thyroid, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating.Now she will do a transvaginal ultrasound to determine the condition of her uterus, neck, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. She grabbed Michael's arm when she felt the ultrasound tool touching her body. An uncomfortable pain made her hold Michael's h

Michael's Private jetSan Francisco, California, US. 11 AM'Hey, it's me, Claire. I just wanted to let you know that I'm going back to Manhattan today because my husband has a few jobs. I hope we can meet soon.’Claire read the text message she had written to Anderson before sending it to that man.Right now, she is on Michael's private plane to go to Manhattan, New York.To be honest, she still wanted to do therapy at the clinic, but she didn't want to be selfish by forcing Michael to stay longer. After all, he had left his job for three weeks to be with her in San Francisco. Maybe next time, she would continue her therapy when Michael had finished his work.'Hey, Claire. Stop introducing yourself every time you text. I always knew it was you because I was waiting for your message. By the way, is your husband's work in San Francisco done? If you come home this afternoon, can we meet tomorrow morning? I think it would be great if I could meet my son-in-law at breakfast.’Claire smiled

Clan Leandro Armory BaseVenice, Italy. 10 PM"I don't understand what happened with you," Mikael let out a long breath. He was trying hard not to explode his anger at what had just happened."What happened to me?" Claire replied as if she didn't feel guilty for what happened."You disappeared from Lionel, and you still ask what happened to you?""Why did you report to Michael?"Mikael faintly heard Claire's voice asking Lionel.Then Lionel replied, "I'm just doing my job."Claire clucked softly."Claire," Mikael muttered. He clenched his fists and tried not to show his anger at Claire.She didn't know how much he panicked when Lionel said she had disappeared.Damn it. It's too much. And he knew he was worried because he cared about Claire. And sometimes, his caring turned into… into something stronger—something that made him willing to beg under Claire's feet for something he didn't understand.Claire let out a long breath, “I'm fine. You don't need to worry."Mikael closed his eyes.

New York-Presbyterian HospitalNew York, US. 17 Years Ago"Her condition is bad," Lionel said while looking at Mikael, who was standing in the doorway of Claire's room, which was closed—as if she was rejected and forbidden to enter inside.Mikael looked up "what do you mean?"He was confused when he saw Claire couldn't stop crying in her room. That girl curled up and refused to meet anyone—including John and Josephine."Something bad happened...Claire is afraid to meet everyone." Lionel looked at him concernedly, “I'm sorry, Mike. But I think we should go home."Mikael frowned, "can you explain more clearly?" He looked at Lionel angrily, "what happened so that no one was allowed into Claire's room?"His heart was beating fast—feeling worried about Claire's condition that he still didn't know for sure.His worries grew bigger when he saw John hugging Josephine, who was crying at the door of Claire's room.“Your Daddy and Mommy have been here since morning, but they still aren't allowed

Michael's CarManhattan, New York, US. 10 AM"Michael," Claire muttered under her breath as she looked at Michael doubtfully."Yes?" Michael looked up, “what is going on now? Are you trying to force me to take a shower and call me smelly?” He grunted in annoyance.Claire feels guilty for what she said to Michael last night. However, she had no choice but to say so.Last night Michael came back from Italy without telling her. Michael gave her a surprise, and she was very surprised.However, something strange happened…She felt that Michael was very smelly. It felt as if something had happened to Michael to make his breath stink and make her sick.She had tried to restrain herself as best she could, but in the end, she couldn't, so she told Michael everything in the hope that he wouldn't take offense at her."I apologize." She lowered her head and held her hands together—trying hard to hold back nausea when she had to be in the same car with Michael.God, this is a suicide mission!Mich