"You can call me 'Irene,' but more importantly, we must address this situation," Irene stated firmly, her unwavering gaze fixed on Xia Shuiyao's abdomen.

Her voice resonated with urgency and genuine concern, carrying the weight of the impending matter.

Confusion engulfed Xia Shuiyao as she struggled to comprehend Irene's words, her mind grasping for understanding.

Her brows furrowed, and she questioned, her voice tinged with perplexity, "Do you require something from me?" The evident bewilderment in her tone mirrored the chaos in her thoughts.

Following Irene's unwavering gaze, Xia Shuiyao's eyes scanned her own body until they settled upon her belly, where her gaze remained fixated.

Gradually, the puzzle pieces fell into place, and realization washed over Xia Shuiyao like a tidal wave.

Her mind spun in a whirlwind of disbelief and shock, unable to fully absorb the magnitude of what she had just comprehended.

A tumultuous tide of emotions surged within her, ranging from denial to reluctant acceptance, leaving her in a state of inner turmoil.

Her heart raced, and amidst the chaos, she managed to gather her thoughts and voiced her confusion, "How can this be? I mean... he said..." Her words trailed off, lost in a sea of doubt.

Irene's gaze remained unyielding, her voice resolute as she interjected, "His actions and words seldom align. Trust me, you are pregnant with his child."

Xia Shuiyao's eyes widened in profound realization, her trembling hand instinctively reaching for her stomach, as if to confirm the truth before her.

The implications of Irene's revelation sent shockwaves through her, leaving her struggling to grasp the profound impact it would have on her life.

Time seemed to stand still as Xia Shuiyao grappled with the weight of this unexpected truth, her mind caught in a tempest of conflicting emotions and thoughts.

Finally, she found her voice again, a mixture of desperation and uncertainty lacing her words, "What am I supposed to do? How can I handle this? No, I must meet with Tian first!"

Her voice quivered, baring the overwhelming magnitude of the sensations coursing through her veins.

With a faint, apologetic smile, Irene offered a comforting presence, understanding the weight of Xia Shuiyao's predicament. "Xia Tian cannot meet you right now, and I cannot make this decision for you. The path you choose rests solely in your hands."

Briefly stunned, Xia Shuiyao nodded slowly, the gravity of the situation sinking in, causing her to take a step back, seeking support from the wall behind her.

Panic laced her voice as she implored, a tremor of fear betraying her, "Please, reassure me that you are not here to take it away. I cannot bear the thought."

Gently shaking her head, Irene's expression softened with rare empathy, acknowledging Xia Shuiyao's distress. "No, that decision belongs solely to you. I am here to provide guidance and support, regardless of your choice."

Her words carried an underlying sadness, a depth of emotion that Xia Shuiyao sensed, yet struggled to fully grasp.

Overwhelmed by a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, Xia Shuiyao's composed features gave way to vulnerability, her raw emotions laid bare before her.

In a hushed whisper, Xia Shuiyao stared into Irene's eyes, uncertainty mingling with determination, "Can I terminate my pregnancy?" Her expression revealed a flicker of indecipherable sentiment.

Meeting Xia Shuiyao's gaze, Irene's eyes flickered briefly, acknowledging the weight of the question before responding, "As I mentioned before, the decision lies solely with you."

Though Xia Shuiyao heard the words, she caught the subtle flicker in Irene's eyes, allowing her to fully trust Irene, a testament to the lessons she had learned in judging people simply by being near Xia Tian.

A resolute expression settled upon Xia Shuiyao's face, a newfound strength emerging, "Thank you for being here. I have made up my mind. I want to keep the child."

Irene nodded, her acceptance unwavering, "If that is truly what you want, I will stand by your side."

As their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passed between them, transcending words alone.

Xia Shuiyao was oblivious to her body's slight tremors, a result of the hormones coursing through her.

Despite her attempts to deceive Irene, it was highly unlikely that she could escape detection.

Observing Xia Shuiyao's condition, Irene sighed with a touch of pity.

She chose to disregard Xia Shuiyao's futile tests and remained unfazed by them.

Unbeknownst to the cold-hearted woman, Irene could speculate on why Xia Tian initially rejected Xia Shuiyao but ultimately ended up impregnating her.

It seemed that Xia Tian had deliberately set expectations, first lowering them and then shattering them completely.

Consequently, when the news of her pregnancy arrived, it took Xia Shuiyao by surprise, causing an overwhelming surge of emotions within her.

This was a subtle strategy, an act of playing the role of a generous benefactor while manipulating people's expectations.

Irene didn't harbor any jealousy toward Xia Shuiyao; instead, she felt a tinge of confusion.

Among all the possible times, why now?

Why did the man who despised children suddenly have one, especially with his toy?

Little did Irene know that Xia Tian no longer cared about children.

As a god, it was not a matter that concerned him. Being a god, he couldn't conceive children in the conventional sense, as he lacked a soul.

While he could create beings with his own self-created soul, any child within Xia Shuiyao's womb would only possess her soul and belong solely to her.

Such a situation was unheard of, as a human child should inherit two parts of the soul from their parents in order to maintain balance.

However, this was the least of Xia Tian's concerns now. As a god, he had the power to make exceptions to this balance without suffering any consequences.

If any of his existing daughters sincerely asked for a child, he wouldn't deny them. 

Regarding the convoluted matter of social hierarchy, such as Isabelle having his child, whether her daughter would be considered his granddaughter or daughter, Xia Tian found it confusing.

However, he was only interested in engaging in nonsensical discussions and never bothered to contemplate such nonsensical matters.

If Xia Tian were to have children with his daughters, such as Nyx and others, it could be somewhat comprehensible within the context of their godly lineage.

However, the inclusion of Xia Shuiyao in this equation raised perplexing questions.

Why did Xia Tian specifically choose Xia Shuiyao to bear his children?

The answer was deceptively simple yet layered with profound reasoning.

Xia Tian firmly believed that Xia Shuiyao had become an unwitting pawn in the elaborate plays and plots orchestrated by gods.

This conviction stemmed from the fact that Shui Ningxue's half-soul was intricately linked to her, leaving her bereft of any real opportunity to resist.

Defying a god was an insurmountable task for Xia Shuiyao, amplifying the violation of 'balance' within her circumstances.

This universe might appear unfair at times, but it possesses a peculiar fairness of its own, and it is crucial to uphold this quality in order to maintain balance.

In light of this, Xia Tian saw the situation as an act of compensation for Xia Shuiyao.

It was his way of acknowledging the injustice she had endured and offering her a semblance of reparation.

But the compensation extended beyond Xia Shuiyao alone—it encompassed Shui Ningxue as well. Hence, Xia Tian granted Shui Ningxue the chance to reincarnate, preserving her soul against her own wishes.

These seemingly mundane actions undertaken by Xia Tian concealed a labyrinthine thought process, revealing the intricacies of his divine machinations.

His decisions were never arbitrary; they were meticulously calculated, taking into account the multifaceted repercussions and delicate interplay of cosmic forces.

Furthermore, these considerations shed light on Xia Tian's restrained use of his godly powers when interacting with ordinary people.

Though he harbored an innate disdain for the notion of 'balance', he recognized its indispensable role in upholding the harmonious functioning of the universe.

Thus, he exercised caution, carefully navigating the delicate equilibrium that governed mortal existence.

Unbeknownst to Irene, a mixture of emotions stirred within her, leaving her with a sense of internal conflict.

She cast a final glance at Xia Shuiyao before uttering with a determined voice, "Let us depart."

Startled by Irene's abrupt command, Xia Shuiyao snapped out of her reverie and questioned, "Go? Go where exactly?"

Irene, shaking her head, sought to remind Xia Shuiyao of the impending challenges she would face.

"Have you taken a moment to consider how you will explain your pregnancy to your family?" Her words pierced Xia Shuiyao's consciousness, bringing forth a wave of realization and bitterness.

Perturbed by the daunting reality, Xia Shuiyao voiced her skepticism, "Where are you taking me?" Doubts of fleeing from her predicament crept into her thoughts, tempting her with a potential escape.

Sensing Xia Shuiyao's apprehension, Irene swiftly clarified, her voice tinged with a mixture of authority and compassion, "We are heading to a secure sanctuary, a place where your daughter can grow safely until his return."

"D-daughter?" Xia Shuiyao's mind reeled at the mention of a daughter.

The confident and matter-of-fact tone in Irene's voice unsettled her, raising more questions than answers.

Without hesitation, Irene conjured a swirling vortex made of water, an ethereal gateway to their destination.

She disappeared into its depths, her voice lingering in the air, "Do you truly believe he would allow the existence of a son?" Her words were neither mocking nor disdainful, but rather presented as an undeniable truth.

Xia Shuiyao, though taken aback by Irene's statement, found herself embracing the notion.

In her heart, she harbored a longing for a daughter who could stand by her side and serve their shared purpose.

With a slight hesitation, Xia Shuiyao gathered her resolve and stepped into the mesmerizing vortex, embracing the unknown that awaited her.

Once their presence faded from the room, another vortex materialized in their wake.

A familiar aura permeated the space, eliciting a snort of frustration. "Damn, she was faster than me!" The lingering figure muttered, acknowledging Irene's swiftness.

With a silent sigh, Isabelle's shadow too dissipated, leaving the room empty and devoid of their presence.