Chapter 17
At the hospital, Katherine had just finished her acupuncture treatment. Her forehead and arms were drenched in cold sweat. She lay on the bed, her eyes closed, her breath faint and steady.
Suddenly, the phone by her bedside buzzed. Derrick, who was sitting on the nearby sofa handling some work, quickly got up and hung up the phone.
He glanced back at Katherine. Seeing the furrow in her brows from the disturbance, he crouched down and gently stroked her forehead with his fingers. “It’s okay. Go back to sleep.”
Derrick’s deep, soothing voice offered Katherine great comfort. Gradually, she fell into a deeper sleep, and the buzzing sound no longer reached her ears.
In reality, the phone had vibrated a second time right after the first one, but by then, Derrick had already taken the phone into the hallway.
“Who is it?” he asked, trying to keep his anger in check, worried that someone had urgent business with Katherine.
Kate, it’s Miranda. Your dad’s in trouble. You need to come back now.” Miranda’s voice was urgent, laced with a hint of tears, as if something really serious had happened.
Derrick recognized Miranda’s voice and raised an eyebrow. “Is that so I’ll have someone go check on it. You better be telling the truth.” He then hung up the phone, not giving Miranda a chance to say anything else.
Miranda had once used underhanded tactics to win Katherine’s affection and marry Richard. If she had treated Katherine well. Derrick wouldn’t have minded. But instead, Miranda was scheming for things that didn’t belong to her.
Derrick had never had much respect for Miranda or her daughter, Mia. But for Katherine’s sake, he hadn’t dealt with them over the
years.
His thoughts drifted back to the time at Riverbend Manor when Mia had passed on Charles’s message to Katherine. Derrick’s eyes darkened.
Quickly, he dialed his assistant from his own phone. Find out where my father–in–law has been recently, and see if anything unusual hat happened in the past few days.”
The higher–ups at Riverbend Group and Derrick’s assistants were well aware of his marriage to Katherine.
The assistant immediately acknowledged the task and asked if Derrick had any other instructions.
Derrick stayed silent for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. “Send someone to Windridge Villa to check what Miranda and Mia have been up to lately
“Got it, Mr. Graham,” the assistant replied.
On the hospital bed, Katherine’s hand resting on her stomach suddenly twitched. She felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, as though her entire body was being tossed around uncontrollably, making her feel like she might throw up.
The space around her twisted and flickered, as if her body, too, was about to shatter into pieces. Suddenly, a bright white light flashed in front of her. Katherine then realized her body was floating, slightly transparent.
“What’s going on?” She raised her arm to look at herself, her face filled with shock. “Isn’t this the state of my soul after I died in my previous life?
Katherine touched her arm, watching her palm pass through her body. A tightness gripped her chest.
“Am I dead again!” Katherine almost broke into tears. “Please, I can’t die. I just got this second chance. My life is just beginning Desperate, Katherine started to walk back, only to hear a familiar voice from behind her. “Mommy, don’t you want me anymore?” The child’s innocent voice made Katherine’s heart ache. She turned around sharply and saw Christopher who appeared to be about 8 years old.
Katherine opened her mouth in disbelief. “H–How is this possible?” She looked down at her stomach, which had a slight indentation.
7:52 PM
Chapter 17
as gone.
The small bulge was
“No way. It can’t be. Katherine suddenly pressed both hands to her stomach, but every time, her hands just passed through.
She frantically tugged at her abdomen, as if trying to rip it open to see if the bab
the baby she had been caring so much about was still there.
“Mommy, is it because you don’t want me anymore that you got pregnant with another baby?” Christopher asked again, his eyes dull, staring at Katherine. He even started to walk over to her.
that’s not true. I never stop wanting you. This baby is you. Katherine pressed her belly forward to show him. Tve only ever had you, and I’ll always want you.”
Christopher questioned, “But how can you be sure that the baby in your belly is still me?”
At Christopher’s question, Katherine fell silent. She thought, ‘He’s right. I’m already in the afterlife, but Kit is still alive in my previous life. How could I possibly be pregnant with another Kit?”
Katherine pressed her hands to her face and squatted down. T’m sorry, baby. Mommy didn’t take good care of you. I’m so sorry.
No matter how much Katherine tried to make up for this baby, he would never be Christopher. Christopher was still alive, living in that time and space where he had no parents and was mentally challenged.
The Christopher infront of her crouched down too, much shorter than Katherine. But he stubbornly raised his hand and awkwardly stroked Katherine’s head. “Do you really want me to come back?” he asked.
Katherine lifted her head, her eyes brimming with tears. “I do.” She choked, her voice trembling. “I promise I’ll protect you this time, Kit Please, give me another chance.”
“Even if I’m still mentally challenged? Even if I’ll drag you down for the rest of your life? Christopher asked.
He brought up something he shouldn’t have been thinking about, something that suddenly took Katherine’s breath away. She murmured, “Kit, did you always know this?
Christopher tilted his head, looking innocent. “Know what? Know that I’m the product of Daddy forcing himself on you? Know that you’ve tried to kill me countless times?”
Katherine shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her face. She wanted to deny it, but her actions back then had been exactly
that.
She couldn’t deny what she had done in the past just because she regretted it now. “I’m sorry, Kit. I wasn’t a good mom.” She squatted there, feeling as if something heavy was about to crush her body.
Suddenly, Christopher leaned against Katherine’s shoulder, pushing her down with him, curling into the fetal position, just like when he was still in her womb. Then do you still want me?” he murmured.
Katherine tightened her arms around him, pulling Christopher into a tight embrace. I do. I’ve always wanted you. I’ve really tried so hard to keep you.”
Christopher closed his eyes, his voice barely audible. That’s good. Then I’ll give you another chance. Mommy, we’ll meet again.” “Katherine. Katherine. Derrick’s voice came from behind, and at the same time, a strong force pulled Katherine back.
She looked at Christopher, still curled up in the same spot, and struggled violently. “What’s going on? Let go of me. My baby is over there Lergo.
Katherine, lying in bed, suddenly sat up, her hair drenched in cold sweat, sticking to her face as drops of sweat fell down. Her eyes were wide open, her pupils shrinking without focus.
Derrick grabbed her shoulders, his gaze fixed on her without blinking. “Did you have a nightmare?”
He softened his voice, gently pulling Katherine into his arms, his hand lightly stroking her back. “It’s okay. You’re awake now. Do you want to talk about the decam? What did you see?”
