Chapter 196 Beat Kieran?

Chapter 196 Beat Kieran?

Gwyneth frowned at the lunchbox in front of her. "What's this supposed to mean? You didn't make anything for me? Henry, what's that about?"

Henry met her gaze and opened the box right in front of her. "Kieran's lying in a hospital bed because you nearly beat him senseless. He's upstairs. I figured you wouldn't have time to eat here, so I already sent his lunch up."

Gwyneth's expression shifted instantly, a flicker of guilt crossing her face as she glanced at Violette and Autumn. Autumn just shook her head—none of them ever seemed capable of staying out of trouble.

"You hit Kieran?"

Gwyneth nodded. "Yeah. He deserved it, so why shouldn't I? He filed a marriage application behind my back. Am I supposed to thank him for that?"

Violette looked exasperated. "Lucky for him your father doesn't know yet. Otherwise he'd be in worse shape."

Gwyneth gave a sharp little huff, but Henry only shook his head.

"The two of you brawling is already all over the station. I think you'd better go check on him before you end up with a formal reprimand. If that happens, your dream of joining Interpol will be over."

That made Gwyneth freeze. She glanced at Violette, only to be seized by the ear and dragged toward the door.

"You've got some nerve, Gwyneth. Planning to join Interpol without telling us? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? Are you trying to kill us with worry?"

Gwyneth winced but tried to defend herself. "Mom, I'm already a cop. Whether it's domestic or international, it's still police work."

"Screw you, it's not the same. Interpol missions are life-and-death. If something happens to you, we might not even have a body to bury!"

Violette's hands were shaking with anger. Gwyneth finally dropped her smile and lowered her head.

She knew she'd gone too far with Kieran. But filing a marriage application without her consent? That was crossing the line.

"You'd better go see him. If you've done real damage, you'll be the one in trouble."

Gwyneth muttered under her breath as she headed upstairs, "I wasn't wrong. He had it coming."

But when she saw Kieran, she shut up instantly. His face was so swollen his own mother wouldn't recognize him, one arm in a sling. Still, he managed a crooked smile.

"I'm fine. Just a few scratches. I'll heal fast. Don't worry."

Gwyneth snorted. "What makes you think I'm worried?"

Kieran gave a bitter laugh. "Alright, not worried. You want to kill me, I get it. As long as it makes you happy, go ahead."

The pitiful tone softened Gwyneth's expression despite herself. Kieran noticed and felt a flicker of relief. He knew she wouldn't let him off without a beating—submitting a marriage application without her say was asking for it.

But he'd been desperate. Henry was about to be a father, and Kieran didn't even have a wife yet.

"I'll cancel the application tomorrow. I'm not marrying you."

"No way. Gwyneth, you can hit me, curse me, whatever you want, but I'm not canceling it. It took forever to get approved. I'm not wasting that."

Otherwise, what was the point of taking the beating?

Gwyneth smirked. He was so easy to toy with.

Meanwhile, Olivia woke feeling like her limbs were made of lead. She tried to sit up but couldn't.

"You're awake? Don't move, I've got you."

Henry came in from the hall, quickly helping her sit and steadying her against his chest.

"Henry... I'm starving."

He'd been ready for that. A steaming bowl of mushroom soup, bread, and fresh greens were already waiting. Olivia ate with obvious appetite, and Henry finally let out the breath he'd been holding.

"By the way, I fainted from low blood sugar. My last check-up wasn't that bad, was it?"

Henry's lips curved slightly. "Olivia, you're pregnant. Your body needs more nutrients than before. That's why your blood sugar dropped."

"What?"

Olivia stared down at her stomach. She—pregnant?

"I'm... pregnant?"

Henry nodded and kissed her forehead. "The doctor says your health is fragile, so the first weeks are critical. We're staying in the hospital for a week to keep you safe."

It still felt impossible. She'd believed she could never be a mother. She asked for her test results, and only after reading them did she start to believe it.

"Henry... I really am pregnant. I thought it could never happen."

Henry pulled her close. "I know. I know everything. Olivia, this is a gift from above. I'll take care of both of you. I promise."

Tears spilled down her cheeks. Henry soothed her until she calmed.

Soon she was back to her lively self, scrolling through shopping apps on her phone. Henry washed the lunch containers quietly, staying by her side.

When she fell asleep, he stepped into the hallway to make a call.

"Parker... is Olivia really going to be okay?"

There was a long pause. "For now, yes. But as the pregnancy progresses, the risks will increase. No one can say how long she can carry."

Henry's grip tightened on the phone. "No matter what, I just need Olivia to be safe."

Parker sighed after hanging up. Henry stood in the corridor for a long time before going back in.

To be sure, he stayed with Olivia through a full day of tests. When everything came back normal, he finally relaxed.

On discharge day, Olivia was taken back to the family quarters. The moment she stepped inside, she stopped short.

"Wait... Mom, did you do all this? Carpets in a house this small? And what's all over the furniture?"

The once-minimalist living room was now covered in bright patterns, a gaudy floral carpet underfoot. Olivia felt like she'd walked into someone else's home.

"Of course it's for your safety. Those are protective bumpers, so you won't hurt yourself if you get up at night."

Bobby crossed his arms, grinning. "Olivia... you're really pregnant?"

He still couldn't believe it. Eight years ago, her body had been wrecked. This was nothing short of a miracle.

"You think I'd lie about this? But seriously, this is overkill. The place looks more like a maternity ward than a home."

Bobby chuckled, and Olivia laughed too—until Autumn smacked her lightly on the back of the head.

"Go lie down. You're staying home to rest, and if you don't gain ten pounds, you're not going anywhere."