Chapter 3
When I came out of the operating room, it was already dark outside.
The anesthesia still hadn't worn off, and my whole body felt cold, with a heavy ache deep in my lower abdomen.
The nurse helped me to the lounge to rest for a while.
"Ms. Lane, make sure you get plenty of rest when you get home. Even a minor procedure like this needs proper care," she reminded me.
Feeling weak, I murmured a quiet thank you to her.
As I stepped out of the hospital, a cold wind hit me, and I couldn't help but shiver.
I didn't call my personal driver. Instead, I flagged down a cab myself.
By the time I got back to the empty villa, it was already eight at night.
The house was pitch black, and the silence was so heavy that it felt suffocating.
I kicked off my shoes and headed straight for the bedroom without even bothering to turn on the lights.
The moment I collapsed onto the bed, it felt like every last bit of strength had been drained from my body.
Half-asleep, I heard the sound of the front door opening downstairs.
Then I caught James's voice, intentionally hushed. "Watch your step.
"You'll be staying in the guest room on the first floor tonight. If you need anything, just call me."
I opened my eyes and sat up in bed.
The pain in my lower abdomen was a harsh reminder of what had happened that afternoon.
I walked over to the top of the stairs, looking down from above at the two of them in the living room.
James was helping Olivia with her coat.
She was wearing his shirt, looking so fragile and vulnerable.
"James, is this really okay?" Olivia asked.
Biting her lip, she sounded trembling with unease. "If Ms. Lane sees this, she'll totally lose it again."
James shrugged off his suit jacket and tossed it casually onto the sofa. "What's she got to be mad about?
"Your place has a burst pipe, and it's the middle of the night. I can't let you stay in a hotel.
"This is my house. I make the rules here."
He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world, as if I were some outsider here.
I gripped the railing and slowly made my way down the stairs.
Hearing my footsteps, James looked up.
When he saw how pale I was, he frowned instinctively.
"Why do you look so pale?" he asked.
He walked over and, out of habit, reached for my forehead to check my temperature.
I turned away, avoiding his touch.
James's hand hung awkwardly in the air, his expression instantly turning cold. "Emily, why are you getting all worked up again?"
He pulled his hand back, his voice laced with irritation, saying, "Something happened at Olivia's place; she's just staying here for one night.
"Can't you be a little more understanding as the lady of the house?"
I ignored him and walked straight to the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water.
James followed me into the kitchen.
His keen sense of smell instantly picked up the faint scent of disinfectant still clinging to me.
He was a total neat freak and couldn't stand anything that reminded him of hospitals.
"Where did you go this afternoon? Why do you reek of a hospital?" James asked.
He pinched his nose, took a step back, and shot me a look of pure annoyance.
"Didn't I tell you to go home and take a shower after your prenatal check-up?" he asked.
I held the glass of water, the heat seeping into my hands and giving me a little strength.
"I went back to the hospital," I said.
I met his gaze, my face calm and unreadable.
James let out a cold, mocking laugh.
"Emily, do you really think that running to the hospital all the time will make me pay more attention to you?" he sneered.
His words cut straight to my heart.
He scoffed, "The baby's fine. What could possibly be the problem?
"Stop using that thing in your belly as a bargaining chip,
"Pull that stunt too many times, and it'll just get annoying."
The kitchen was dead silent.
The only sound was the faint hum of the fridge.
Staring at the man in front of me, I felt him like a total stranger now.
He was so unfamiliar. I didn't even have the energy to explain myself anymore.
Of course, he couldn't even be bothered to ask about my check-up results.
All he saw was me using the baby as leverage to get his attention.
"Yeah," I murmured.
I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and answered softly. "I won't anymore."
James looked a bit surprised that I was so easy-going this time.
He froze for a second, then a pleased smile spread across his face.
He said, "Good, glad you finally understand.
"Go take a shower and get rid of that hospital smell."