Chapter 18
Katherine, in Derrick’s arms, looked fragile, like she was about to break. Derrick didn’t dare to hold her too tightly. He was afraid that even a slight squeeze could snap her frail, unnaturally thin body.
Katherine slowly started to come to her senses, her hands tightening around Derrick’s, leaving deep marks on the back of his hand. “T–I dreamed of the baby,” she whispered.
Her throat was dry and hoarse, and she had to swallow a few times before she could speak. “He said he knows I don’t want him.”
The details of the dream felt so real, as if they had actually happened. As Katherine recounted it, her body trembled uncontrollably.
“Do you think it’s because he doesn’t want someone as irresponsible as me to be his mother that…” Katherine couldn’t hold it together
anymore.
Biting her lip, she started to cry, “It’s all my fault. I’m a terrible mother. I even thought about killing him. He must hate me.”
Derrick didn’t care about anything else. He pulled Katherine tightly into his arms. “No, you’ve suffered so much for him. He won’t hate you. If anyone should be hated, it’s me.”
His eyes showed pain and regret. I’m the one who used improper methods to make you pregnant with this child. Im a monster. I don’t deserve to be his father.”
The two of them clung to each other, not knowing who was comforting whom. Harper entered the room quickly, and when she saw the scene, her steps faltered.
Maeve, standing nearby, advised Derrick, “Mr. Graham, maybe Dr. Hill should take a look at Mrs. Graham first.”
“Alright, Derrick agreed, but still didn’t let go of Katherine. Or rather, it was Katherine who hadn’t released her grip on his shirt, unable to be apart from him.
“It’s fine. Just leave it like this, Derrick said, holding Katherine’s waist as he gently placed her on his lap. It wasn’t the most convenient position, but it allowed him to reach her stomach.
Harper examined Katherine with some equipment, but found no issues. Katherine was simply haunted by the nightmare.
Harper understood the pressure they were under and sighed, “You need to relax. This is not something that can be fixed overnight. If it gets too much to bear, you can always terminate the pregnancy.”
“I won’t.” Katherine buried her face in Derrick’s neck, her voice trembling as she made her stance clear.
Noticing Derrick’s hesitation, Katherine bit his neck. “Don’t you give up on him.
Derrick sighed, resigned. “I won’t. Don’t worry. He then glanced at Maeve, who immediately asked Harper to step outside and inquired about the necessary precautions.
The room was left with only Derrick and Katherine. He let go of her, but she didn’t move, still sitting in his lap.
Katherine turned her head and muzzled his neck. “No matter what happens, we can’t give
- up.
“Alright. You call the shots: Derrick’s fingers gently ran through Katherine’s hair, again and again His gaze seemed distant as he was lost in thought.
From this day on, Katherine began having frequent dreams. In them, Christopher would always ask her the same question.
He’d ask if, even if he were still mentally disabled, she would still not give up on him, if she would be patient and never be embarrassed by him, and if she would never let him grow up alone.
Every time Katherine heard these words, she was heartbroken with guilt. She would always answer solemnly, assuring him that no matter what, whether he was mentally challenged or whatever might happen in the future, she’d never let the tragedy from her previous life repeat itself,
After enduring this torment day after day, Katherine visibly grew more haggard. But miraculously, the baby’s position was slowly corrected. By the time of the next prenatal check–up, the baby had reached three month
Looking at the results, Harper finally let out a breath of relief. “The baby’s position has finally been corrected. Congratulations. Your persistence paid off.
1/3
Chapter 18
Derrick’s expression remained calm, but his hand trembled as he took the report. After a long pause, he closed his eyes to calm himself. Thank you for your hard work.”
A moment later, he added. “I’ll have HR double your year–end bonus as a reward for saving our baby,”
Harper was about to refuse, but upon hearing this, she could only agree. Thank you, Mr. Graham.
When Derrick told Katherine the news, she was stunned for a moment. There was no joy on her face. Instead, tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.
“It’s okay. Cry if you want to. You’ve been through so much these days, Derrick said, holding her and gently running his hand down her neck.
Katherine’s forehead pressed against Derrick’s stomach as she spoke in a muffled voice. “He really stayed”
Derrick didn’t catch her words clearly and didn’t ask. He just assumed she’d said those words out of happiness
From the moment the baby’s position first started shifting, Katherine had a feeling she understood why she kept having that dream.
Christopher seemed like a child starved for love, repeatedly trying to get reassurance from her, needing to know that no matter what he did, she wouldn’t suddenly change her mind. He wanted to know what place he held in her heart.
Katherine felt incredibly grateful that she had never wavered or considered giving up.
When Maeve heard the news, she also cried. She had watched Katherine struggle through this past month.
Sometimes, Maeve couldn’t help but think about telling Katherine to give up. She figured that Katherine and Derrick were still young and they could always have more children.
But Maeve also understood that no matter how many children they had later, they wouldn’t be the same as the first one.
She thought, ‘At least all the struggles weren’t for nothing. They’ve finally gotten what they wanted.”
Katherine calmed herself down and pouted, looking a little upset. “So, can I leave the hospital now!”
She’d been cooped up in the hospital for a whole month, and she was bored to the core. Now, she couldn’t wait to breathe in some fresh air and see the colorful flowers in the garden.
Derrick knew Katherine wanted to go home and couldn’t help but laugh, “I already asked Dr. Hill. She told me to just make sure you get enough nutrition and keep up with the regular check–ups.
Maeve also chimed in from the side, “Then I’d better hurry back to get the house cleaned up again. You two take your time getting back.” After saying that, she left immediately, clearly overjoyed
Actually, Riverbend Manor was cleaned daily by dedicated staff, so there was no need to do a special re–cleaning. Maeve just felt that Katherine had been through so much, and she wanted to take care of things in advance.
Everything they used at the hospital would be discarded, and the hospital cleaning staff would take care of it.
Derrick gently helped Katherine move slowly toward the door. Her body was weak, and the doctor had suggested that she not only take in more nutrition but also stay active. Otherwise, recovery after giving birth might not go smoothly
Katherine hadn’t gotten out of bed much lately and was eager to move around. At three months pregnant, her body felt light, and walking was still manageable. The only problem was that after so much time spent resting, her stamina just couldn’t keep up.
She hadn’t even made it out of the hospital when she already felt weak, leaning against Derrick for support. She tugged on his arm, snuggling against him. I can’t walk anymore. Carry me.”
Derrick, of course, indulged her. He bent down and scooped her up in his arms, adjusting her so she could lean more comfortably
The two of them slowly made their way home. As the car drove through the iron gates of Riverbend Manor, they saw the staff lined up on either side of the driveway, each holding a bouquet of flowers.
They all greeted in unison, “Mrs. Graham, congratulations on your discharge. Welcome home.”
The coordinated voices really moved Katherine. She pressed the car window down and waved at them. “Thank you, everyone. You’re so thoughtful. My husband will be giving you all bonuses later, she spoke
Chapter 18
Hearing that, the household staff responded even more enthusiastically, “Thank you, Mrs. Graham.”
Katherine settled back in her seat and glanced at Derrick, trying to hold back a smile, saying, “It’s definitely Marve’s doing”
Derrick kept holding Katherine’s hand, gently rubbing it with his thumb. “Yeah. She’s just so happy.”
The smile on Katherine’s face hadn’t faded since they got home. She stared at Derrick for a moment, then suddenly leaned in, her lips lightly brushing his chiseled chin. “What about you? Are you happy?”
Derrick chuckled softly, his brooding eyes glimmering with a quiet light, “As long as you’re safe, I’m happier than anyone.” By “anyone, he meant not just everyone else, but Katherine herself.
Katherine’s face flushed with a soft pink, and she shyly pulled back. “Oh, don’t say that.” She felt flustered.
Derrick laughed, his gaze lingering on her flushed ear for a moment longer. He thought, ‘She wasn’t this shy even when she was cupping my face to kiss me.
AD
