Chapter 25
“Mom, I can handle my own problems, so there’s no need for you to intervene. If you have so much free time, why not spend it getting closer to your grandson?
Nathan had little patience to listen to his mother, and even though he had been back from abroad for a while, he could sense Carla’s dislike for Liam. He wasn’t sure if it was because of Stella or some other reason. Either way, Nathan didn’t like people meddling in his issues–not even his mother.
Without waiting for her response, Nathan hung up the phone, grabbed his coat, and headed to Stella’s room.
Though it was still early in the morning, Stella was already awake. She didn’t seem to have rested well, as her face was pale. When Nathan arrived, she was packing, likely worried about Liam and wanting to leave the hospital.
Nathan’s presence was imposing, even when he stood silently by the floor. Stella could sense him there, though she really didn’t want to acknowledge him. Her sad reality was that every interaction with Nathan seemed to end poorly. The only mutual understanding they seemed to share was in bed, where no emotions or agreements existed–but their bodies always cooperated.
Neither of them spoke. Nathan remained at the door, watching her, until Zayan, dressed in white, approached and tapped Nathan’s shoulder.
“Why don’t you go in? Why are you standing outside? Where’s Stella?”
Nathan pointed to the room.
“Inside.”
“Good. Both of you are here,” Zayan said. “The doctor treating Liam wants to speak with you about his treatment.”
After Zayan left, Nathan and Stella went together to meet Liam’s doctor. The man, about 60 years old, was highly certified internationally and renowned in the country for treating childhood leukemia.
“Mr. Collins, Mrs. Collins, please have a seat.”
“Doctor, is there any news about Liam’s condition?” Stella didn’t sit; she was nervous and impatient.
“Mrs. Collins, there’s no need to be so tense. I wanted to discuss his treatment because he can’t wait much longer. So, I wanted to ask you both–Mr. and Mrs. Collins–do you have any good news?”
Stella and Nathan understood immediately. The “good news” referred to her possibly being pregnant with a second child..
Stella remembered the pregnancy test she’d purchased. On their way home, she asked Nathan to stop at a pharmacy so she could buy it. Fearing for Liam’s worsening condition, she knew the doctor was right–Liam couldn’t wait any longer.
At home, Stella rushed to the bathroom to use the test. The result was clear: she wasn’t pregnant.
She sat on the toilet lid, covering her face in disappointment. The first time she was with Nathan, she had conceived Liam almost immediately. Now, despite spending every night with Nathan, she hadn’t conceived a second child.
Stella stayed in the bathroom for a long time. When she finally stood, she threw the test into the trash, washed her hands and face, and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself that Liam’s illness couldn’t wait–she needed to get pregnant as soon as possible.
That evening, Nathan didn’t come home for dinner, citing a business meeting. When he returned late at night, he went straight to his office to handle company matters.
1/3
Chapter 25
In the middle of the night, Stella brought him a glass of milk. As she approached the office door, she hesitated, unsure whether knocking would disturb him. Just as she started pacing back and forth, the door opened.
“Do you need something?” Nathan asked, standing in the doorway and looking at her.
“I… I brought you a glass of milk,” Stella stammered nervously, unsure of what to say.
Nathan remained calm, studying her from head to toe before stepping aside to let her in.
“Set it on the desk, please.”
Stella walked in, placed the glass on the desk, and turned to him.
“Go ahead with your work. I’ll head back to my room.” She started to leave, but Nathan grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward him and gazing at her beautiful face.
“Are you sure that’s all you wanted? Don’t you have anything else to say to me?”
“I…” Stella lowered her head, biting her lip and remaining silent.
Nathan raised a finger, brushing the hair near her forehead aside and playing with it. `
“Say what you want to say, Stella.”
Her heart raced, as if it would leap out of her chest. Summoning all her courage, she finally lifted her head to meet his gaze.
“I took the pregnancy test earlier…”
“And?” he asked.
“I’m still not pregnant…”
“I know.”
Stella’s eyes widened in surprise. How could he know?
“So I…”
“Say what you need to say. I’m waiting.”
Stella clenched her fists, her nails digging into her thighs. Gathering all her determination, she suddenly rose onto her tiptoes and kissed Nathan’s lips.
He frowned, sighed lightly, and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer and seating her on the desk.
“Is that what you wanted to say?”
“I need to get pregnant,” Stella said with great difficulty. She couldn’t back down now; she feared losing her courage if she stopped.
