Chapter 197
"Pregnant women usually have their first check-up at week 12. Aren't you curious about the chances of having
twins or triplets in your belly? Though the chances are low, it's still a possibility," surmised the doctor hypothetically.
"I'll proceed with the ultrasound scans then," I said.
She used B-scan ultrasonography on me and held her tongue throughout the process. Akin to her, I did not have
anything else to ask, so silence filled the room to the point where she told me with a blank expression that I was
having twins. She also advised me to take good care of myself.
I was still stunned upon hearing the unforeseen news when she asked if I wanted to listen to their heartbeat. As I
had yet to regain my composure, I blurted, "What?"
She responded, "You didn't see this coming, did you?"
I shook my head instantly before double checking, "Can I really hear their heartbeat?"
"Of course, you can. Come."
The doctor handed over the instrument to me. As I heard the faint pounding sound, I thought it was the most
melodious sound ever.
I started to shed tears of joy. "Am I really hearing their heartbeat right now?"
The doctor reminded me, "Listen to it carefully."
Though I was not a professional and it was difficult for me to tell which heartbeat was whose, they both equally
melted my heart with their warmth. When I left the room with overwhelming ecstasy, I turned toward Joseph. "I
have two little angels and they are both healthy! I'm just not sure whether I can protect them, though."
Indeed, I was afraid that my condition would not allow me to hold on enough for them to be born.
"Miss, they will be fine."
I became determined as well. "Yes. They will be fine."
A few days later, I was informed that Leon's bone marrow was a match for Tamara. Subsequently, I contacted
Francesca immediately.
She was surprised yet happy to receive the good news. "When did he do the test?"
"A few days back. I lied to him, saying that I have leukemia, so he doesn't know that it's actually for Tammie. You
should contact him. I'm sure he's willing to be the donor."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
No one could deny that the man had the heart to help. It all depended on Francesca and whether she was willing to
look for him or not. She called him not long after on the same day and they agreed to meet up at the hospital.
The moment Leon caught sight of the little girl he had bumped into that day, who was in fact his daughter, the
tears swimming in his eyes began to stream down his cheeks.
The urge to hug the girl was strong yet he resisted nevertheless due to Francesca's presence. Fate finally had
something over the man's head, who was once untrammeled and had never thought of the consequences of his
actions. In the end, he didn't get to hug the girl but the two adults came to an agreement in no time. Even the
doctor had the operation arranged as early as the day after tomorrow.
The surgery was successful, but Leon dared not stay in the hospital. Instead, he swung by the place every two days
to visit the child whenever Francesca was working.
As time passed, it was going to be April soon. I was pregnant for almost eight months and I had it rough. The
vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite were bearable, but my body was slowly and surely weakening by the day.
For the past four months, Anthony had been staying by my side to teach me how to manage household affairs as
well as hiring the best obstetrician in the country to be on call for any emergency. He then left when it was the last
month of my pregnancy. My babies would be able to see the first light of the world as long as I could put up with it
for another month, but my body was rendering it implausible.
When there were four weeks left before the accouchement, I received a call from Nicholas. "Are you going to give
birth soon?"
I hung up the call right away without answering him.
Then, I lost consciousness when there were two weeks left. When I finally opened my eyes again, I found myself
lying in bed, feeling all weak and puny. However, I hadn't expected Nicholas to be here.
I asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"
"To see you," he answered as if it was a matter of fact.
I glanced at Joseph, who was standing behind him, and heaved a sigh of relief but still disapproved of the presence
of this unwelcomed man, "Joseph, who let him in?"
"Miss, your parents are here too."
Only then did I realize that Nicholas was taking advantage of my parents to come and see me! This shameless
man!
While my face was pale due to exhaustion, he piped up, "It's true that I can't enter with all the men you have in the
hospital to stop me, but I can't refuse if your parents decide to bring me in together!"
I ordered with gritted teeth, "Get him outta here!"
"I can leave on my own." Nicholas smiled before he rose to his feet. Then, he exhorted, "Take care."
My parents entered the room after he left. Gazing at my forlorn look on the bed, they came over to my side. "The
doctor said your body is getting weaker."
"Mom, don't worry about me."
However, my mother didn't seem convinced so I looked at my father before requesting, "Dad, please take her
home. I'll pay you a visit after giving birth."
I shouldn't be distracted by their presence here. Besides, I wouldn't be able to go up front against Nicholas with
them here. As his condition had always been unstable, seeing the man going mad was the last thing that I wished
for. I wasn't even sure if he had really received treatments in America. It took me a long way to be at where I was
right now; I couldn't let all my efforts go down the drain!
When my father noticed my determination, he agreed to head home with my mother only after exhorting, "You
have always been clear with your goals in life. I'm sure you have your reasons to make us leave. Just give us a call
once everything is settled."
I forced a wry smile. "Thanks, Dad."
As soon as they left the place, I called Joseph over. "Miss, is there anything I can assist you with?"
"Don't let anyone come near me before the accouchement."
"Yes, Miss."
Even so, it didn't take me two weeks for my life to be in danger. After barely two days, I was already in the surgery
room, feeling all in. I mustered every strength left in me to grab the doctor's coat before pleading, "No matter what
happens, please save my babies first!"
I couldn't give up on them regardless.
"Stop talking and save your energy."
Labor was out of the question considering my poor condition. As the doctor had me under anesthesia for a
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmcesarean section, the inexplicable apprehension emerged from the bottom of my heart before devouring me
whole. Soon, my mind went hazy.
"Patient is losing a lot of blood and has lost consciousness."
"Hurry!"
Nicholas went to see my doctor after leaving the patient room. He sat in front of her and dived straight into the
topic, "You're one of the Xenos?"
She remained calm. "What about it?"
"I've been investigating your background for four months."
As he had made his purpose clear, she clenched her fists underneath her coat. "What for?"
He smiled in reply. "I want both the babies."
He wanted my babies.
The doctor sprang to her feet as she comprehended his intention. "And who gives you the right to do that?!"
Unperturbed by her antics, he threatened calmly, "Oh, I met your daughter once. She's quite a demure girl. And I
guess your son must be studying in high school, right? I don't really know how it feels to be separated from our own
children, do you?"
Color drained from her face as she glowered at Nicholas, "You!"
"All I'm asking for is the two babies," he said.
She trilled in fear, "If I give them to you, the Xenos Family will never let me off the hook!"
"Nope. A stillbirth can be the reason." The man stood up before flashing a sinister smile. "Don't worry about that. I
can get two dead babies from another hospital for you. Just do as I say."
The doctor raved, "You scumbag! How dare you threaten me with my children!"
"You're a clever person. You know what you should choose. Give me a call once you've made up your mind so that I
can prepare the rest."
After saying what he wanted, Nicholas left although he himself didn't even know why he was doing so. Perhaps it
was because of the grudge he held, or maybe it was because he didn't want to let Shawn know he had a son and
daughter. After all, the twins were a pigeon pair. Nevertheless, why would Nicholas go to such lengths just to hide
the truth from Shawn?
Truth was, Shawn had murdered someone a long time ago and the agonizing grief had been etched in Nicholas'
heart since then. It was more excruciating than the pain I would soon feel.