---- Chapter 19 Jerold had no idea that Lachlan had been following him and had discovered Nicola's whereabouts. Lachlan had stayed near the Hayes's family home and was unwilling to give up. Jerold was cautious each time he visited Nicola, fearing that Lachlan might find out her whereabouts. But he rushed to the island after hearing that Nicola had slipped and fallen while bathing. Jerold was worried, and Nicola smiled to reassure him. "I told you I'm fine. You didn't have to come all the way here." Emilio chimed in, "| took Nicola to the hospital for a check-up. The baby is fine. I've had the tiles replaced with more slip- resistant ones and added floor mats." Jerold was relieved after that. They walked together toward the villa. Nicola's belly was already quite large. She would easily get tired when walking, so Emilio supported her. They looked so intimate. ---- Lachlan watched them, and a surge of jealousy overwhelmed him. He instinctively wanted to rush forward. But as he took a step, he hesitated and stopped. Nicola had deceived him into believing she had miscarried. She just prevented him from using the baby as an excuse to cling to her. She had deliberately hidden there to avoid contact with him. Although he was unwilling to accept it, he had to admit that she truly didn't want to see him. If she discovered that he knew her whereabouts, she might hide again. He watched Nicola walking away from a distance, and his eyes welled up with unshed tears. He couldn't let Nicola know he was there. Or he might never even get a chance to see her. He could only watch as she walked into another man's arms, although she had loved him dearly. And Lachlan now couldn't have a chance to get close to her, talk to her, or show concern for her unborn baby. So Lachlan halted his steps. He glanced toward the villa and left. He didn't disturb Nicola. Nor did he leave her. Instead, he ---- found a job as a security guard responsible for the villa's perimeter safety. Although he couldn't stand by her side, at least he could see Nicola from afar every day. Lachlan had always stayed with Nicola until she safely delivered. But he didn't know that Cassie had been silently following him and also arrived at the island as soon as he set foot on it. After being sent away by Lachlan last time, Cassie was fired from the Begum Group. She wanted to find another job but failed due to her past scandals, which had made her infamous. In desperation, she underwent cosmetic surgery to change her appearance. The money Lachlan had given her was long spent in the previous months. Cassie tried to seduce her new boss. But she was caught by his wife just as she took action. The latter beat Cassie, stripped her, and threw her out of the company. In her despair, Cassie held Nicola and Lachlan responsible for her downfall. ---- She secretly followed Lachlan onto the island. When she saw Nicola's swollen belly, she devised a vengeful scheme. "Nicola, Lachlan, you've ruined my life, and | won't let you go." She immediately applied for a maid position on the island to stay undercover. Time flew by, and soon it was Nicola's due date. Emilio had arranged for a professional medical team at the villa. As soon as Nicola's water broke, she was rushed to the hospital. Lachlan had already found out the due date and grew increasingly anxious as it approached. When he saw Emilio hurriedly carrying Nicola out of the villa to the hospital, he hurriedly followed. Nicola had read extensively about childbirth, but she felt nervous when the moment came. As she was placed on the stretcher, she instinctively clung to Emilio's arm. Emilio had stayed with her throughout this time. She had unknowingly grown reliant on him. ---- He saw through her fear instantly and gently touched her cheek to soothe her. "Don't worry. I'll be right outside and waiting for you." Nicola nodded and was soon wheeled into the delivery room. The birth was not easy. Nicola followed the midwife to regulate her breathing and cried out in pain. After agonizingly long hours, she finally heard the joyful voices of the nurses. "The baby is out." Moments later, she heard a loud cry from the baby. She looked briefly at the baby, and exhaustion overcame her. She fainted. When Nicola regained consciousness, she was back in the hospital room. She was cleaned and dressed in comfortable clothes. Emilio stayed with her. When he saw her awake, he beamed. "Nicola, you're awake." Nicola glanced around the room. "Where's the baby?" Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. 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