Chapter 835 Natalie, I'm Afraid You Dislike Me!
Clayton turned around and saw Natalie looking dazed.
Her face was a mix of emotions.
He knew that the kiss they shared earlier was just a reaction to the life-threatening situation.
It didnt mean Natalie had truly accepted him, and he wouldn't use it to pressure her.
She was the woman he loved, and she was carrying his child.
Saving her was the right thing to do.
Clayton heated up the food and brought it over, sitting by the bed.
He didn't let Natalie get up, instead propping her up with a couple of pillows. He cut up the fried egg and fed it to her.
When the food reached her mouth, Natalie didn't open up.
She lowered her eyes and spoke softly, "Clayton, about earlier…"
Though her words were a rejection, they lacked the harshness of before.
Clayton understood her and said gently, "I know it didn't mean anything. It's okay if you're not ready to forgive me. Once the baby is stable, I'll leave. Natalie, whenever you're ready to see me, I'll come back."
Tears welled up in Natalie's eyes.
She had so much on her mind, things she couldn't bring herself to say.
Clayton's voice softened, "Eat something first."
The light was gentle, and under it, his expression was tender. This scene was reminiscent of their early days of marriage when he would feed her breakfast in bed.
But now, things had changed.
She opened her mouth and ate, tears streaming down her face.
Clayton watched her, his heart breaking.
Natalie still felt unwell. She only managed to eat one fried egg and drink a bit of soup before lying down again.
Clayton finished the remaining eggs, washed the dishes, and returned to find Natalie already asleep.
She wasn't being distant; she was just exhausted.
Clayton, however, couldn't sleep. He had just faced the fear of almost losing her and their child.
He stayed awake most of the night.
Not wanting to disturb Natalie's rest, he dimmed the bedside lamp and positioned himself to block the light.
He hadn't been this close to her in a long time. In the dim light, he gazed at her face greedily.
Natalie, uncomfortable even in her sleep, had a slight frown.
Clayton placed his hand gently on her belly.
He didn't press hard.
Just a light touch, and he felt the baby's movements.
Even at just five months, even through the layers of skin, Clayton could feel the baby's strong life force.
He had heard it was a girl.
She would be as adorable and healthy as Haven.
Clayton's eyes were full of tenderness as he thought about baby names.
Even if Natalie wouldn't use them, he had come up with many… but none seemed good enough for their child.
The whole night, Clayton was lost in these thoughts.
He didn't consider that the doctor might have been wrong and that Natalie could be carrying a boy… (to be continued)
As dawn broke, Gavin arrived.
The staff at the Devereux Mansion had prepared a lavish breakfast. Chloe came with him, while Molly was busy getting the kids ready for school.
They quietly entered the hospital room.
Clayton was still thinking about names. Hearing the door, he turned to look.
Chloe and Gavin tiptoed in.
Gavin looked at Natalie and asked softly, "Has she woken up?"
"She woke up once and ate a little."
Clayton stood up, offering Chloe a seat, but she was too worried to sit.
She felt guilty and regretful, thinking that if they hadn't returned to Syeattel, Natalie wouldn't have been in this situation.
She bent down, gently caressing Natalie's face, and whispered, "We didn't tell her father. He's too old to handle the shock. Natalie's dad adored her. He used to set up a pink tent in his study so she could play nearby while he worked. If he knew, he'd be heartbroken."
She looked up and sincerely thanked Clayton.
"Clayton, thank you!"
Clayton choked up, "Mom, it's what I should do. Please don't say that."
Chloe smiled faintly and said no more.
Clayton was reluctant to leave, but he knew Natalie hadn't forgiven him and wouldn't accept him as her husband right now.
Understanding this, he said hoarsely, "I'll head out now. I'll come back to see her later."
Not wanting to overstay and cause discomfort, he left.
As he closed the door, Clayton didn't walk away immediately.
He stood outside for a long time, hating himself for the heartless words he had said that night.
If he hadn't done that, he could be with Natalie now.
Instead of making things difficult for her.
Inside the room, after Clayton left, Chloe sighed softly.
As a mother, she wished for her children's happiness. Gavin had a fulfilling life, but Natalie's path was fraught with difficulties.
She feared that when Andrew passed away, Natalie would still be alone.
Gavin sensed Chloe's worries.
He gently embraced her and said softly, "Mom, we'll all find happiness eventually. And as long as I'm here, I'll take care of Natalie. I'll treat Haven and the baby as my own."
His words comforted Chloe.
Natalie woke up around noon.
She opened her eyes to a room filled with sunlight. Chloe had placed fresh flowers in two vases, filling the room with their fragrance.
It lifted her spirits.
Of course, she also noticed that Clayton was gone.
Chloe saw her wake and gently touched her forehead, "He left at dawn, probably worried you'd be upset if you saw him."
Natalie lay with her face against the pillow, silent.
Chloe continued, "Get up and eat something. The cook at home made it early this morning. We also sent some to Mrs. Bailey. She felt bad and said she'd make some of her best dishes for you."
Natalie smiled faintly, "No need, let her take care of Manuel."
Chloe nodded, "Yes, it's not easy for her. She has kids to get to school and still thinks of you."
The mother and daughter chatted softly.
Chloe adjusted the bed, helped Natalie freshen up, and fed her a small bowl of oatmeal and some prenatal vitamins.
Natalie felt much better after eating.
With more energy, their conversation inevitably turned to Clayton.
Natalie paused and said honestly, "After last night, I can't treat him the way I used to, but being together feels forced. Mom, I don't want to force myself."
Chloe supported her decision.
She adjusted Natalie's blanket and said, "Gavin also said you should decide for yourself."
Natalie felt deeply grateful to her family.
Just then, Molly arrived, but she wasn't alone.
She had run into Grant and Nancy at the hospital.
Nancy, who seemed to be pregnant, had come for a check-up and heard about Natalie's hospitalization. They said they came to visit.
Molly thought, 'How is this a visit?'
Weren't they getting married? Visiting Grant's ex at this time, wouldn't that be awkward? Yet Grant didn't seem to mind.
Molly found this couple baffling.
Sure enough, Natalie was surprised to see Grant and Nancy.
Chloe had a lot of unkind things she wanted to say. 'What kind of situation is this, and whose idea was it anyway?'
The atmosphere in the room was tense.
Nancy spoke first, her tone gentle, "Natalie, I'm relieved to see you're okay. Grant got a call early this morning about your hospitalization, and we were both worried. Since we were at the hospital, we thought we'd check on you."
She looked at Grant after speaking.
Grant had his hands in his pockets, silent.
Nancy didn't seem to mind. She continued warmly, "Grant, stay and chat for a bit. I'll go get my test results."
As she turned to leave, Grant grabbed her wrist.
But Nancy gently pulled away, smiling slightly, "You stay. Keep Natalie company. I'll be fine on my own."
Grant's gaze was deep.
Nancy hurried out, almost fleeing.
She was pregnant and about to get married, but she showed no signs of joy. She was thinner than before…
At the door, she started to vomit.
Feeling nauseous, she clutched her chest, hating herself. This had nothing to do with Natalie, yet she dragged her into it… Grant must be angry.
But who could she tell about her anger?
If she had known earlier that Grant had a personal assistant, Jade Harper, who looked a lot like Natalie, if she had known that Grant took Jade everywhere, if she had known about their agreement, she wouldn't have agreed to marry him or have his child.
What kind of agreement?
Not quite an affair, but close… Jade had a long-term contract.
She couldn't marry, date, or even interact with other men. In return, Grant provided her with an expensive apartment and a $1 million annual salary.
How was this different from being a kept woman?
Grant supposedly didn't spend the night there, but occasionally, they'd have private dinners… or travel together.
This relationship wasn't an affair,
It was more like a romance.
Jade was Natalie's stand-in, dating Grant in her place.
This relationship made Nancy sick.
She wanted to break up, but with the wedding less than ten days away and her being pregnant… She couldn't imagine how Grant could sleep with her while taking Jade on a trip last month.
And she knew who was in his heart.
She had used Natalie to disgust Grant, but it also made her sick… Nancy stood in front of the bathroom mirror, looking at herself.
How did she become like this…
A figure appeared behind her, her future husband and the father of her child.
Nancy lowered her eyes and asked softly, "Done talking already? Is it because with a new lover, the old one isn't as important? The new one is young and gentle, more captivating for you, Mr. McCall?"
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