Chapter 175 Taylor, It's Me, Dad!
When Grace heard that, her heart just about shattered.
She shrugged off her coat, plopped down next to Taylor, and started stroking her head. "Did you take your meds like a good girl?" she asked softly.
As she spoke, she flicked on the bedside lamp, lighting up the room.
Taylor buried her cute little face in the pillow, looking all delicate and fragile.
"Clara gave it to me! It was kinda bitter," Taylor mumbled.
Grace's heart ached. She gently caressed Taylor's face and tried to comfort her. "Once you have the surgery, no more nosebleeds, and no more yucky medicine."
Taylor nodded, all obedient.
She snuggled into Grace's arms, her voice all whiny. "Mommy, I miss Daddy! The nanny said I'd see him soon. Is that true? She also said you and Daddy are gonna have a baby boy."
Grace was caught off guard.
She quickly figured the nanny must've overheard the doctor and spilled the beans to Taylor.
Grace was a bit ticked off and made a mental note to have a word with the nanny tomorrow.
But she didn't let any of that show in front of Taylor. She kissed her cheek and said gently, "Yep, you'll see Daddy real soon."
Taylor got all excited, flipping around in her floral PJs. Grace felt another pang of sorrow.
Today, she had lied to Henry. She told him Taylor was still in Vesper City, but actually, Taylor was back with her. The climate in Evergreen City was better for Taylor's recovery, and it was easier for Grace to take care of her.
Grace figured it wouldn't be long before Henry bumped into Taylor.
Late at night, Taylor fell asleep.
Grace took a shower and lay down next to her. Her heart felt heavy, so when Henry called, she couldn't help but snap at him. "Henry, what do you want?"
On the other end, Henry was lying in bed, the room all dark and shadowy.
His voice was a bit hoarse. "Grace, I'm staying at Tranquil Heights now."
Grace was quiet for a moment. After a bit, she said softly, "That's your place. You don't need to tell me, Henry."
Henry was silent for a moment too.
Then he let out a bitter laugh. "Are you gonna say again that there's nothing between us, that you don't want me to contact you, call you, or show up? Grace, do you still hate me?"
Grace hung up on him.
She lay there in the dark, thinking about Henry's words, thinking about everything between them. How could just one word, "hate," cover it all? But yeah, she did hate him!
In the dark, Grace buried her face in the pillow.
She hated Henry, but she had to have another kid with him. She wanted to do it through IVF, but the doctor said her body couldn't handle it, so she had to do it the old-fashioned way with Henry, which meant doing what married couples do.
Grace felt like she couldn't control the fate that had been handed to her. They had split so messily, and she had left so decisively. Now, she had to go back to him, to his bed.
Grace turned her face, burying it deep in the pillow, her lips trembling slightly. How could she be okay with this?
On the other side, Henry sent her a friend request on Facebook, which Grace rejected, leaving him feeling bummed out.
But he thought, since she had come back, there was still a chance. He'd bring Taylor back in a few days. As long as there was no one else around her, they still had a shot at making things right.
Henry, lounging in bed in his bathrobe, clutched one of her pearl earrings.
He was just a regular guy, and maybe it was all in his head, but he hadn't felt much desire in recent years. However, now he was burning up, desperate for some kind of release.
The room was thick with his scent for a long time.
Henry was breathing hard, turning on his side, still feeling unsatisfied even after getting off. Yeah, he wasn't satisfied!
He felt even emptier. He craved Grace, wanted to hold her, feel her soft body, be wrapped up in her warmth. He was aching with need.
After he calmed down a bit, he got out of bed, headed to the bathroom, and washed up.
The next morning, Taylor had another nosebleed.
Grace, worried sick, took her to see their go-to doctor, Brenda Chambers. Brenda was a recommendation from Lucas, and she was top-notch in both skills and bedside manner. Since they got back to Evergreen City, Taylor had been under her care.
After checking Taylor out, Brenda said softly, "If surgery's an option, it should be done ASAP."
As she spoke, Brenda gently touched Taylor, looking heartbroken.
Grace got the hint and asked Clara to take Taylor outside first. Once they were alone, she asked Brenda for the details.
Brenda gave a wry smile. "Surgery before six is best! Almost no aftereffects! Plus, the constant bleeding could lead to anemia long-term."
Brenda knew Grace's situation and added kindly, "Get the child's father to cooperate; it's all for the kid's good."
Grace nodded. "I get it, thanks, Ms. Chambers!"
After leaving the consultation room, Grace walked to the end of the corridor to pull herself together. She didn't want Taylor to see her falling apart.
A familiar voice came from behind. "Grace?"
Henry had come to the hospital to check on a new drug and unexpectedly ran into Grace.
He double-checked to make sure it was her, the woman who had kept him up all night.
Grace's eyes were red, and she was even more startled. She didn't want Henry to see her like this, and she was terrified he'd see Taylor and find out about her illness.
Grace's voice cracked. "Henry, don't come over!"
She repeated, "Don't come over!"
Henry was taken aback. "You don't want to see me? Grace, are you crying?"
Grace said no, but Henry walked over lightly, gently turning her slender shoulders, and saw her red eyes, carrying a hint of grievance and sadness, looking so fragile.
Henry's heart felt like it was hit. He always had feelings for her.
His fingertips gently wiped the corner of her eye, and maybe her skin was too delicate, as it turned even redder with a touch.
Henry's heart softened. Ignoring the ten or so execs behind him, he spoke in a low, gentle voice, "Now that you're a big businesswoman, how can you still cry like a little girl, Grace? Do you still like me?"
Grace lowered her eyes. How could she still like him? She couldn't forget the past!
She raised her tearful eyes, about to speak.
Behind her, Taylor called out softly, "Mommy," then ran over and threw herself into her arms.
Henry was thunderstruck. He stared at Taylor, unable to believe it.
He had only seen her in photos in the past three years.
Henry had imagined countless times what Taylor would look like in real life, but none of his imaginings compared to the reality. She looked so much like Grace, but her proud expression was just like his.
Henry knelt down, looking at Taylor, his voice hoarse. "Taylor, I'm Daddy!"