CHAPTER 128

Geneveive Tessa Robert

‘I don’t think I want the room to be pink. What if it’s not a girl but a boy?’ Vera asked, rubbing her stomach. The bump wasn’t obvious yet, but she did everything to make everyone aware that she was expecting a baby.

I glanced at the pale walls. ‘We don’t have to paint the walls until the sixth month, you know? We can just arrange the room and put up the cradle for now. What do you think?’

‘Nah… I want to paint it now. This is my first child, and I want everything to be ready before he or she comes.’ she sighed.

I knew something was wrong when a tear fell. ‘Vera, what’s the problem? Did the doctor say anything concerning the baby?’

She sniffed. ‘Yes, it’s not a big issue, though. It’s more me than the baby. My blood pressure increased again, and the doctor is really concerned. He thinks the baby is the cause! Can you imagine?’

I took her hands and made her sit on the only couch in the room. ‘Vera, you know he’s just giving you a medical opinion. I also think you should stop these jobs you have been doing lately. The Ministry of Health project? You need to let your team members do their parts and stop giving yourself unnecessary stress.’

She removed her hands immediately. ‘So, you agree with the doctor, right? Good. Instead of you saying comforting words, you are blaming my job. Weren’t you working when you were pregnant? Did I stop you? God. Please, don’t upset me, Tessa.’

I stared at her, amused. She was overreacting, and knowing Vera, if I should say anything more, she would be very angry. I couldn’t let that happen due to her health.

I apologized.  ‘I am sorry. I will check up on the chef and bring your breakfast, okay? You need the strength to start the painting.’

She murmured, not looking up from her phone. My week with Vera was going to be a long one. 

The chef wasn’t done with breakfast, so I decided to help out. I was in the middle of breaking the eggs for the toast bread when my phone buzzed. Kyle King.

I ignored it. He hadn’t returned my calls all week, and I had to drag myself through work activities. It wasn’t easy because several times, my employees had to repeat what they said and call my attention when they noticed I wasn’t observant. 

I didn’t even realize his absence in my life had an effect on my life until Mom pointed it out in one of our breakfast conversations.

Was I feeling for my ex-husband again? No. I hoped not. Probably, he was getting attached to me, and it’s been a long time since I let a male come close to my family or me, except for Kanebi.

I didn’t even want the latter because I knew my boundary, so was I falling for Kyle because there was no boundary? I didn’t know. The matter of the heart was complicated.

I had made a vow to make Kyle suffer for what he did to me. I had made him so jealous, which was one of the main reasons he had to let go of Avaline. I had taken his company. I had broken his ego, but still, it didn’t feel enough for me. I had seen him cry, but I wasn’t satisfied.

Maybe his lack of communication was the opportunity I needed to pierce his heart. He wanted his kids, right? Maybe I could play a nice game with him.

‘I am done, ma’am. Are you eating here or in the dining room?’ The chef asked, arranging the loaves. He had fried the eggs while I was busy daydreaming. I didn’t even realize that. Could one man control my thoughts just like that?

I swallowed, smiling a bit. ‘I didn’t realize you were done. Let’s go to the master’s floor. Vera is there.’

The chef nodded, following me with the tray. ‘Are we taking the stairs or the elevator?’

‘The elevator, please. This house is like what we watch in movies. Large, many rooms, and a lot of secrets. So scary.’ I laughed, entering the elevator with him.

He chuckled. ‘I take it you’re a horror movie fan, right?’

I nodded. ‘Yes, I am, but not anymore. Work and the kids have been taking up my movie time. How about you?’

‘I am more of a romance and thriller fan, ma’am. Horror movies are too scary for me. Please don’t tell Mrs. Vera, or she would use it as a joke all week.’

‘I won’t,’ I replied, stepping out of the elevator and collecting the tray. ‘Thank you for the breakfast, dear.’

He bowed, pressing the button to reach the last floor. I smiled. Vera had a nice chef, and he reminded me of Santiago. I mentally noted checking him up at the hotel next week. 

I stepped into the room and paused in my footsteps. Vera was on the floor. Sprawled on the floor! I dropped the tray on the couch and rushed towards her. I could feel her pulse, but she wasn’t responding as I yelled her name. I quickly dialled the emergency number while yelling Murphy’s name. Thank goodness, he was home. I wouldn’t have known how to handle the situation.

Murphy rushed in, and with the help of a family relative who was staying with them, they carried Vera to the elevator, out of the house, and straight to his car. I followed behind with my Jeep while I called Mom to update them on what just happened. I could hear the worry in mom’s voice, but I assured her everything would be fine. 

We arrived at the hospital, and she was taken to the emergency room immediately. An hour turned into two hours, and soon the doctor was out. Everyone surrounded him.

‘She and the baby are fine. She just had another attack, and I fear her heart couldn’t take it. That’s why she fainted. Thank goodness someone was with her at that moment, or we would have lost her.’

Murphy sniffed, his tears flowing shamelessly. ‘Thank you, doctor. When can we see her?’

The doctor glanced at his watch and said, ‘Once the nurses are done, you can go in. Please don’t make sounds in the room. She needs to rest.’

Murphy nodded, turning to me. ‘Thank you, Tessa. If you hadn’t been there, she would have. 

I held his hands, crying a bit. ‘Say no more, dear. She needs us more than ever.’