Chapter 57 A Belated Apology
After finishing breakfast, Lauren continued to rest in bed. The doctor who came for the checkup this time was Dr. Olivia, who had been conducting Lauren's prenatal checkups all along.
"Dr. Olivia…" Lauren exclaimed in surprise.
Dr. Olivia flashed Lauren a smile, but her expression stiffened momentarily when she saw Quentin, after which she nodded in acknowledgment.
"Lauren," Dr. Olivia began, "I heard about what happened to you from the obstetricians, and at first, I couldn't believe it. I thought maybe someone had the same name as you. I never imagined it was really you who had the mishap."
Lauren shyly lowered her head, "I wasn't careful enough, I will take extra precautions from now on."
Dr. Olivia gazed at Lauren thoughtfully and said, "You've always been frail, and I worry about your lack of vitality and blood. So, you need to be more cautious in the future. You're still young, but your constitution is quite weak."
Lauren nodded earnestly; she too felt that her pregnancy had taken an immense toll on her, much like a severe illness. Every day, she was tired, in pain, and uncomfortable.
Turning to Quentin, Dr. Olivia asked with a smile, "And may I ask who you are to Lauren?"
Lauren wasn't sure why Dr. Olivia posed this question to Quentin, and it made her uneasy.
"I'm her husband," Quentin replied politely.
"Oh?" Dr. Olivia's interest was piqued by Quentin's response. "So, you are her husband."
Quentin was clueless about what Dr. Olivia meant, so he didn't continue their conversation.
Dr. Olivia could feel the cold aura emanating from Quentin, and she began to understand how Lauren must feel.
This time, Dr. Olivia wanted to meddle, truly believing Lauren deserved sympathy—her struggles were akin to those of a single mother. Driven by her commitment to care for all her prenatal patients, she felt it was necessary to have a word with Lauren's husband.
"Since you're Lauren's husband, allow me to say a few words. Lauren is now fourteen weeks pregnant, and she attends every prenatal checkup alone. Moreover, her early pregnancy symptoms were severe; she could barely eat, which left her looking gaunt for a time. I'm not saying this to blame you, but to make you aware of how challenging it is for a woman to go through pregnancy." Dr. Olivia glanced at Lauren, offering a supportive look as if to encourage her not to be afraid.
Lauren watched Quentin's reaction, uncertain of what was going through his mind. His face remained tense while Dr. Olivia spoke—not out of anger, nor did he seem to be holding back.
Quentin listened intently to Dr. Olivia; this time, he didn't ignore what someone else was saying. It hadn't occurred to him that pregnancy could cause Lauren so much hardship, and he was even more perplexed as to why she was so determined to have the child.
He genuinely didn't understand the purpose of having children. He didn't like kids and had never considered having any; Lauren must have hidden her pregnancy, fearing he would insist on abortion.
Thus, instead of getting angry at Dr. Olivia's near accusatory words, Quentin wanted to learn more about Lauren's early pregnancy.
"It's fine, please go on," Quentin responded.
Dr. Olivia could tell Quentin was no ordinary guy, but regardless of how extraordinary, he shouldn't neglect his wife and child, should he?
"Lauren seems like a simple person, and not many pregnant women could manage to be as independent as she is—nor face such hardships. So, for the sake of the baby and the expectant mother's health, I hope you can show her some understanding. Take better care of her instead of letting her come to every prenatal checkup alone. As a soon-to-be father, you have irrefutable responsibilities," Dr. Olivia continued, her words coming from a genuine hope for every expectant mother to have a happy family.
Quentin had always thought of himself as a responsible man, yet it seemed he hadn't considered taking responsibility for Lauren and her unborn child.
Noticing Quentin's sour expression, Lauren feared he might say something rude to Dr. Olivia, so she quickly voiced her gratitude.
"Dr. Olivia, thank you for your concern. I'm really okay though. I'll follow your advice, eat more, and get plenty of fruits and vegetables. Don't worry about me."
Dr. Olivia offered a wry smile at Lauren's innocent sincerity, genuinely hoping for her happiness.
Working in obstetrics for so many years, Dr. Olivia had seen all types of couples, but Lauren's marriage struck her as particularly odd.
As a doctor, she knew it wasn't her place to meddle in personal affairs. Having said her piece, there was nothing more to add. The future of these two young people was theirs to navigate.
After Dr. Olivia left, the hospital room fell back into silence. Lauren, feeling overwhelmed, preferred rest to enduring the awkward tension with Quentin. She slowly lay down, ready to sleep again.
"You can have the baby," Quentin blurted out unexpectedly.
Lauren, stunned, thought she was hallucinating as she kept staring in Quentin's direction.
Irritated, Quentin asked, "Are you deaf?"
Lauren snapped back to reality. "What do you mean, I can have the baby?"
Despite her defiance—even if he disagreed—she was resolved to have the baby, undeterred by the prospect of divorce.
Nevertheless, the weight lifted from Lauren's heart when Quentin voiced his consent; she had been determined to keep the baby regardless of difficulties, but she knew it would be tragic if the child lacked a father's recognition and love.
Taking Quentin's words as acceptance of the child, Lauren's spirits lifted immensely, and she momentarily forgot the previous night's ordeal.
"Lauren, I will take my responsibility as a father seriously," Quentin declared, looking down at her.
At that moment, Lauren saw Quentin in a new light, as if he was surrounded by a glow, revealing an endearing side she hadn't noticed before.
Quentin looked at Lauren's adorably goofy expression and felt a softness in his heart. Remembering the awkwardness of last night, Quentin was still a bit uncomfortable, but running away was not his style. If he was wrong, he had to own up to it, even in front of a woman.
"I apologize for being impulsive last night, I'm sorry, Lauren."
Upon hearing Quentin's apology, Lauren's tear ducts burned fiercely, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. God knows how wronged and scared she had been.
