Chapter 418 At the doctor's office, the attending physician glanced nervously at the man before him. Julian's presence was sharp and commanding, filling the room with tension. "Mr. Sterling," the doctor began cautiously. "It's not that I don't want to show you the report, but it's against hospital policy." In other words, this was a rule set by the Hutton family. This wasn't Jouleston, nor was it a hospital under Sterling Corp. Everything here, including the regulations, belonged to the Huttons. More importantly, the patient in question had been personally brought in by Diana.
Even if the doctor had nine lives, he would never dare leak such information. Julian's gaze lowered, his expression unreadable. Then a calm voice spoke from behind him. "Must you see it?" Diana had arrived. Julian didn't look surprised. He had known her long enough through Raymond and had always been direct with her. "Diana, let's just say that I'll owe you one for this." His meaning was clear. He would see that report, no matter what. Even if the Huttons refused him officially, he would find another way to get it. Diana knew what kind of man he was. His persistence didn't surprise her.
She only asked softly, "And after you see it?" "Then it'll be between me and her." Julian's voice remained calm but carried weight. If the child was his, he would do as he'd said he would marry her. If it wasn't, and Sydney's heart truly belonged to Caleb, he would still look after her. He had to be a responsible man, a good uncle. For a fleeting moment, the sadness on his face reminded Diana of her ex-husband on the day of their divorce. She glanced at the doctor. "Show Mr. Sterling the report." Then, with a subtle blink to mask her emotion, she turned and left.
The doctor, now silently permitted, opened the B-ultrasound results on the computer. "Mr. Sterling, this is Ms. Wilson's report." Julian stepped closer, leaned over the desk, and froze. "12W... That means twelve weeks, right?" He could read the report, but disbelief made him ask anyway. 'Three months... How could it be only three months?" The doctor cleared his throat. "Yes, but the gestational age is calculated from the menstrual cycle.
In most cases, it's actually a bit earlier than the true conception time." In other words, based on the actual conception, the pregnancy wasn't even three months along. A tight, crushing pain spread through Julian's chest, impossible to describe. He forced himself to swallow it down, but the bitterness rose to his throat. She hadn't lied. The child wasn't his. The doctor felt the heaviness in the room but stayed silent, lowering his presence as much as possible. 'We'll get married.' Julian's words echoed in Sydney's mind, each repetition cutting deeper.
No matter how hard she tried to suppress them, the ache in her chest grew until her throat burned and her eyes stung. He had truly thought about marrying her. If only he weren't a Sterling. If only he weren't Eloise's grandson. Would things have turned out differently? Would they have married, given their child a whole, happy family? A knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts. Sydney quickly lowered her gaze, forcing her emotions down and hiding the sting in her eyes. The door opened, and Diana stepped inside.
She crossed to the bedside and saw through Sydney's calm facade with a single glance. "The report's been altered," she said you sure you won't regret it?" . "Your pregnancy weeks were reduced on record. But are Sydney pressed her lips together and stayed silent. Then, she asked in a low voice, "Has he left?" Diana knew exactly who she meant. "Not yet," she replied. "He's been standing outside the doctor's office for quite a while. 11 Mark Twain