Lucien's voice was laced with concern as she spoke to Ace on the phone. "I don't like this, Ace. You're going after the Wilsons alone. What if something happens to you?"
Ace's voice was calm and reassuring. "I've got this, Lucien. I've been planning this for a long time. I know what I'm doing."
Lucien sighed, frustration evident in her tone. "But why do you have to do it alone? We could work together to take them down."
Ace's response was firm. "No, Lucien. This is my fight. I'm not going to put you in harm's way. Besides, I've already set things in motion. It's too late to turn back now."
Lucien's voice dropped to a whisper. "Be careful, Ace. Please. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."
Ace's tone softened, and he spoke with a gentle intensity. "I will, Lucien. I promise. I'll take care of the Wilsons, and then I'll come back to you. We'll finally be able to put this all behind us and move on with our lives."
Just as Lucien was finishing her conversation with Ace, Jenny walked into the room, a look of concern on her face. "Lucien, what's wrong?" she asked, noticing the distress on Lucien's face.
But before Jenny could even react, Lucien suddenly rushed out of the room, her hand covering her mouth. "I'll be right back," she muttered, dashing towards the bathroom.
Jenny followed close behind, worried about her friend's sudden illness. She heard the sound of Lucien retching in the bathroom, and her concern grew.
"Lucien, are you okay?" Jenny asked, knocking gently on the bathroom door.
There was a pause, and then Lucien's weak voice replied, "I...I think so. Just give me a minute."
Jenny nodded, even though Lucien couldn't see her. She waited patiently outside the bathroom door, wondering what could have caused Lucien's sudden illness. Was it something she ate, or was it related to her conversation with Ace?
Lucien emerged from the bathroom, looking pale and clammy. She took a few steps forward, but then suddenly turned around and rushed back into the bathroom.
Jenny followed her, concern etched on her face. "Lucien, what's wrong? Do you need some water or something?"
Lucien was retching again, her body shaking with each convulsion. Jenny held her hair back, trying to comfort her as she vomited.
As the minutes passed, Lucien's vomiting subsided, but she was left feeling weak and drained. Jenny helped her to the couch, where she collapsed onto the cushions.
"Lucien, what's going on?" Jenny asked, sitting down beside her. "Is it something you ate? Or is it stress?"
Lucien closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. "I...I don't know," she whispered. "I just feel so sick all of a sudden."
Jenny frowned, worried about her friend's sudden illness. She decided to call a doctor, just to be safe.
Jenny's eyes widened as she looked at Lucien. "Lucien, could you be...pregnant?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucien's eyes snapped open, and she looked at Jenny in shock. "What? No, that's impossible," she said, but her voice was uncertain.
Jenny's mind was racing. "But you've been feeling sick, and your breasts are swollen...those are classic pregnancy symptoms," she pointed out.
Lucien's face went pale as she realized that Jenny might be right. She hadn't considered the possibility of pregnancy, but now that Jenny mentioned it, she couldn't shake off the feeling that it might be true.
"Oh my god," Lucien whispered, her hand flying to her mouth. "What if I am pregnant?"
Lucien's mind was racing as she thought back to her last encounter with Ace. They had been so caught up in the moment, and she hadn't even thought about birth control.
"No, no, no," she whispered to herself, feeling a wave of panic wash over her. "How could I be so stupid?"
Jenny knocked gently on the bathroom door. "Lucien, are you okay? What did the test say?"
Lucien took a deep breath before opening the door. Her eyes met Jenny's, and she nodded slowly.
"I'm pregnant," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jenny's eyes widened in surprise, but then a warm smile spread across her face. "Oh, Lucien! Congratulations!" she exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug.
Lucien laughed, feeling a mix of emotions: shock, fear, and a hint of excitement. She knew that this was a life-changing moment, and she was grateful to have Jenny by her side.
But as she hugged her friend, she couldn't help but wonder what Ace would say when he found out. Would he be happy, or would he feel trapped? And what did this mean for their future together?