Coleen glanced at her proud daughter and couldn't help but smile without saying a word.
Molly loved to let everyone know about her mom's kindness. As a daughter-in-law, Coleen was beyond reproach. Now, in the village, whenever someone mentioned Juliana with disdain, they couldn't help but praise how wonderful Coleen Byrne was in the same breath.
The neighbors nodded in agreement. "It's just shameful. Remember when Molly bought that fancy bracelet for Grandma Sue? Sue cherished it so much she wouldn't even wear it, kept it stored away like a treasure. And then, that woman has the nerve to steal it and sell it!"
"What?!" Jade was livid upon hearing that Juliana dared to mess with her things.
Stealing the birthday gift she had carefully chosen for her grandma, Molly's anger flared, and she turned to storm off to confront Juliana. But Coleen quickly stopped her, already aware of the incident but had chosen not to tell her daughter to prevent her from acting rashly. "Molly, it's just a bracelet. Even if it's sold, we can't get it back. We'll buy Grandma Sue another one. Don't be hasty."
"Right, right, Molly, you have to be careful, especially in your condition. You're still early in your pregnancy," someone cautioned.
Molly was struck by lightning. "What?"
What pregnancy?
Coleen was equally shocked. Turning to the crowd, she asked, "Who told you Molly was pregnant?"
The crowd murmured, searching for the source of the rumor, "It was Mrs. Baxter."
Coleen sighed internally. Mrs. Baxter was well-known in the village for her gossiping, the central figure of the local "information bureau."
Sure enough, by noon, many cast curious glances towards Molly's belly.
Even Chad noticed.
His glances shifted from Molly's abdomen to her face and then back to the villagers.
"Chad, you're back, huh?" The village uncles greeted him warmly as they returned from their fields.
Soon after, one suggested, "Chad, we're having chicken for dinner. Why don't you bring Molly over? She looks too thin, needs to eat well, especially now with a baby on the way."
Chad's eyes darted between Molly's belly and her face again. Molly, however, chose to remain silent, amusing herself with Chad's confusion. She looked at him, blinking innocently.
Chad was utterly baffled.
"Curious?" Molly finally spoke.
Chad nodded.
"The whole village is convinced I'm carrying your child, even decided how far along I am. All because you helped me out of the car one time."
Officer Chad was speechless.
Molly shared, "Mom and I explained to at least a dozen people, but then she realized that rumors here spread too fast, explanations were futile. So... Mom told me to just stay quiet, saying that's just life in the village."
This was the first time Jade didn't know what to do, accepting her new role as a "pregnant woman" by default.
Chad swallowed hard. "Let them talk. With time, rumors will die down. Why don't you rest in the car for a bit?"
Molly could already imagine the gossip, "If I rest now, I'll really look like I'm nurturing a pregnancy."
Officer Chad was at a loss for words again.
Later, at the Byrne family lunch, indeed, many brought nourishing gifts for Molly.
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