---- Chapter 29 Ava's sobs eventually quieted, replaced by a profound, shuddering peace. She pulled back, her eyes red but clear, and looked at Liam. The man who had waited, the man who had seen the truth of her, even when she couldn't. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "For what?" "For waiting. For telling me the truth. For... for coming to love me. He smiled, a gentle, reassuring smile. "It was my pleasure." He kissed her softly. "Now, no more talking about him. He's officially erased from our history." The next week, they went out to dinner with Liam's sister, Lia, to celebrate their engagement. The restaurant was warm and bustling, and Lia was overjoyed, presenting them with a bottle of vintage champagne. "| knew it!" she said, beaming at them both. "| knew you two were endgame. I've been telling him for years to just make a move." She winked at Ava. "Thank you for finally putting him out of his misery. He was a terrible piner." "Lia, please," Liam groaned, but he was smiling. ---- As the evening wore on, and the champagne flowed, Lia' s expression grew more serious. She looked at her brother. "Have you told her?" she asked quietly. Liam' s smile faltered. He looked down at his plate. "Told me what?" Ava asked, a flicker of unease stirring within her. Lia sighed and gave her brother a stern look. "Liam. You can't start a marriage with secrets. It's not fair to her." She turned to Ava, her expression kind but firm. "My brother... he's a wonderful man. But he's not perfect. There are things in our family's past, business dealings... things that are complicated. He needs to be honest with you about them. All of them." "| will," Liam said, looking at Ava, his eyes full of apology. "I was going to. | just... | wanted us to have a little time, just to be happy, before we dealt with all the... mess." Ava reached across the table and took his hand. "Whatever it is," she said, her voice steady, "we'll deal with it together." His shoulders relaxed, and he gave her a grateful smile. The moment passed, and the happy, celebratory mood returned. But on the way home, Ava started to feel unwell. A wave of dizziness and nausea washed over her. She blamed it on the rich food and the champagne. But when she woke up the next morning, the feeling was still there. And the morning after that. A week later, she was standing in front of her office building, ---- waiting for Liam to pick her up, when a sudden, violent wave of nausea sent her rushing to a nearby trash can, where she was sick. Liam pulled up just as it was happening. He was out of the car in an instant, his face pale with worry. He rushed to her side, holding her hair back, his other hand rubbing her back soothingly. "Ava! What's wrong? Are you okay? Is it your allergy again?" he asked, his voice frantic. "No," she said, straightening up and wiping her mouth with a tissue he handed her. "No, it's not that." She looked at him, her own face pale, her mind racing. The nausea, the dizziness, the fatigue she'd been feeling for the past couple of weeks... it all suddenly clicked into place. "When was your last period?" a voice in her head, the voice of every health class teacher she'd ever had, asked. She did a quick, panicked calculation. Liam was still fussing over her. "We need to get you to a doctor. Right now." "Liam," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I think... | think | know what this is." He looked at her, his eyes wide with confusion. "What? What is it?" She took a deep breath. "| think," she said, her voice barely a ---- whisper, "| might be pregnant." They both stood there on the busy sidewalk, staring at each other, their expressions a perfect match of stunned, wide-eyed shock. 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. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.