Chapter 14
Harper was on edge, holding her breath, trying to sound as calm and normal as possible, "I feel hot, Dylan."
And that was nothing but the truth. Besides feeling hot, her breath was short.
Dylan sat across from her while her hand was held under the table by Francis, their actions reminiscent of young lovers secretly flirting behind their elders' backs.
Dylan chuckled, "You youngsters can't handle the heat, huh? I'm an old man, so I don't feel hot at all."
Meanwhile, Dylan happened to drop his fork on the floor, and a nearby housemaid immediately stepped forward to pick it up, but Dylan stopped her.
"I'm not so old I can't bend over."
As Dylan bent down to pick up the fallen fork, a mere tilt of his head would reveal their clasped hands. Harper's face instantly paled from embarrassment, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
Francis released her just in time before Dylan reached for the fork, avoiding any potential exposure. Harper breathed a sigh of relief but ended up choking in her panic, succumbing to a fit of coughing.
Dylan handed the fork to the housemaid and turned to Harper with concern. " Harper, what's got you choking again?"
He shot a stern look at Francis and scolded, "Why don't you pat her on the back?"
As Francis reached out to help, Harper dodged him, fearing another mischievous trick.
Francis feigned helplessness and said to Dylan, "Dylan, see? She won't even let me touch her."
Dylan eyed him suspiciously and asked with a frown, "Did you upset her?"
It was as though Dylan was the guardian angel to Harper, and Francis was the outsider. Once Harper regained her composure, she quickly played along with a coy smile. "Dylan, you know his strength. I'm afraid it'll hurt."
Dylan couldn't help but chuckle as he saw the playful banter between them, his laughter filling the room.
The maid, witnessing this scene, couldn't resist commenting, "You wouldn't believe it, Francis, but I've never seen Dylan so cheerful. He's laughed more today than in the entire past month. You must visit us more often, Harper."
Those words caused Harper's spirits to sink. 'Visit more often... How can I have the right to do that after the divorce?' The thought of not being able to see Dylan regularly made her heartache.
Sensing Harper's mood, Dylan felt his heart warmed with the knowledge that she was concerned about his health. "Eh, no need to make a fuss. Just bring out the special dish I prepared for Harper."
Moments later, the maid brought in a plate of bouillabaisse, its aroma wafting through the air. The soup was placed before Harper, and Dylan spoke with affection, "Harper, I know how much you love fish. This one's from the deep sea, rich in nutrients."
"Thanks, Dylan," Harper said with gratitude. She picked up a piece of fish, but suddenly, a cramp twisted in her stomach, followed by an overwhelming urge to throw up. Covering her mouth, she struggled to suppress the nausea but ultimately rushed to the bathroom to vomit.
Afterward, feeling much relieved, Harper returned to the dining room only to overhear the maid's speculation.
"Harper looks pregnant, doesn't she?"
At the mention of the news, Dylan was beside himself with excitement, turning to Francis. "How come you never told me Harper is pregnant? How long were you planning to keep this from me?"
The maid shared Dylan's joy, chuckling as she said, "Congratulations, Dylan. You're going to be a great-grandfather."
Harper felt a wave of panic at the thought and was about to step forward to set the record straight but hesitated.
She couldn't explain why, but she was curious to see Francis's reaction to her supposed pregnancy.
"Dylan, Harper isn't pregnant," the man stated with certainty, dashing Harper's anticipation.
The maid started to say something more but was cut off by Francis, "We've been careful. It's not possible."
Dylan slammed his hand on the table, fuming, "You little rascal, are you planning never to have kids?"
"Dylan!" Francis frowned, his voice firm. "We've discussed this before."
"I left you alone during your honeymoon phase, but it's been a while now. You still don't plan on it? What's holding you back, huh?" Dylan's anger was palpable, his hand on his chest. "Do you want to give me a heart attack?"
Seeing Dylan's labored breathing, Harper couldn't hold back any longer, rushing over to rub his back while explaining, "Dylan, don't be mad at Francis. It's me. I don't want kids yet."
" Harper, don't lie to me. If this rascal doesn't want kids, you just tell me. I'll take care of him!"
Trying to keep up a brave face, Harper whispered, "I'm not lying. I still want to have fun, but I am not ready to be a mom just yet."
Dylan was half-convinced, but after some more coaxing and laughter from Harper, his mood lightened, and he then proceeded upstairs with the maid to take his medicine.
Later, when it was time to leave, Harper planned to head back to Clearwater Bay by herself, but Francis insisted on driving her.
The car ride was quiet until Francis suddenly spoke up, "Let's not tell Dylan about the divorce just yet."
"Okay."
Harper didn't need to be told. She wanted to protect Dylan's health from any more shocks.
"Even after we divorce, you can still visit Dylan," Francis added.
Harper was more than happy to agree, chirping, "Sure."
"Is that the only word you know?" he teased.
Harper was speechless.
"How's your stomach? Maybe get it checked out at the hospital tomorrow."
"No need. You already said I'm not pregnant, so what's there to check?" Harper's voice bristled like a tiny hedgehog.
Caught off guard, Francis frowned, "What's wrong?"
"What would you do if I was pregnant?" Harper blurted out, unable to contain herself.
"That's not going to happen."
"I mean, what if..."
"There are no ifs in this, and I certainly wouldn't have gotten you pregnant," Francis said with finality, cutting off her hypotheticals.
Harper felt her heart plunge into an abyss.
'How foolish I am to offer my treasured joy to someone who views it merely as a hindrance to his happiness, an unwanted burden.
I should've known better...'
Staring out the window, Harper felt tears cascade down her cheeks, salty and bitter as they touched her lips.
Francis turned to say something just as Harper averted her face, but his phone jarringly rang.
Without hesitation, he answered.
"Francis, I had another nightmare... I'm so scared. Can you come over... please?" Chloe's voice on the other end was laced with sobs.
"Isn't Xenia with you?" Francis asked, furrowing his brows.
"I don't know, Francis, I can't breathe..."
"Get a doctor to check on you first," Francis urged with an edge of concern in his voice, adding firmly, "I'm on my way."
After hanging up, Francis glanced at Harper. "Chloe's got an emergency. You'll have to come with me to the hospital."
Silence filled the car for a moment.
The idea seemed absurd to Harper.
'Why should I accompany him to show concern for his heart's desire? To witness his tender care for another woman or see their love for each other?'
"Just drop me off here," she suggested.
She couldn't bear to stay in the car for another second, let alone go to the hospital with him.
"Harper, do you have any idea what time it is?" Francis turned to her, asking rhetorically.
She didn't respond.
"It's late, and you expect me to leave you alone on the roadside? What's going on in that head of yours? Haven't you thought about safety? Whose responsibility will it be if something happens to you?"
Francis's irritation was apparent as he barraged her with questions.
A complex surge of heartache and injustice filled Harper, threatening to overwhelm her.
"I'm not a child. I can call a cab and get home by myself. You don't need to worry about me."
She couldn't stand to be in the car or follow him to the hospital for another minute.
But Francis was unmoved and continued driving in the opposite direction of her home.
"Stop the car!" Harper insisted.
"Don't be difficult," Francis said, his brows knit together. "I'll just check on things and then drop you off at home."
"Francis, if you don't stop the car, I'm going to jump out," she threatened, reaching for the door handle. Promptly, he slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a halt at the side of the road.
"Harper!" Francis asserted control, pinning her hands in front of her, his handsome face shrouded in a terrifying gloom. His voice, barely concealing his anger, demanded, "What on earth are you trying to do?"
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