Chapter 148 The Birth of the Heir

Chapter 148 The Birth of the Heir
The calm atmosphere at the Nathaniel estate shattered in an instant. Evan moved with a speed Alice had never seen before. Without waiting for a wheelchair, he scooped Alice up in his arms and carried her down the main staircase. His face was taut with tension, yet his steps remained steady and firm.

“Rico! Get the car ready now! Clear all green lanes to the hospital!” Evan shouted.

In the living room, Zavian and Lavina, who had just been about to retire for the night, were jolted awake. Seeing Evan carrying Alice, who was grimacing in pain, they immediately grabbed their jackets.

“Hurry, Evan! Get her to the car!” Zavian urged, signaling the security team.

The convoy of black cars sped through the light rain that night. Inside the car, Alice clutched Evan’s suit sleeve with all her strength. Her breathing was ragged, cold sweat dampening her temples.

“Evan… it hurts so much,” Alice whimpered.

“Breathe, sweetheart. We’re almost there. Keep looking at me,” Evan replied, tightening his grip on her hand, trying to pour calm into her even as his own heart pounded like a war drum.

When they arrived at the hospital, Doctor Sarah’s medical team was already waiting at the emergency entrance. Alice was immediately transferred onto a gurney and rushed toward the exclusive delivery room that had been prepared months in advance.

“Seven centimeters dilated, Young Master! Mrs. Alice is ready,” one of the nurses reported after a quick examination.

“Evan, you have to go in! Don’t let her be alone!” Lavina called out as she arrived at the corridor with Zavian. The elderly woman looked deeply anxious, yet her eyes shone with hope.

“I’m going in, Grandma,” Evan answered shortly.

Inside the room, everything was a flurry of activity. Bright operating lights illuminated Alice’s face, flushed as she endured the contractions. Doctor Sarah pulled on sterile gloves and stood at Alice’s front.

“Come on, Alice. You’re doing very well. When the next contraction comes, take a deep breath and push with all your strength,” Doctor Sarah instructed calmly.

“I can’t, Evan… it hurts too much,” Alice sobbed.

Evan stood beside Alice’s head. He let his arms be clawed and gripped by his wife. He did not care about the pain in his hands, his focus was solely on the woman before him.

“You can do this, Alice. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever known. Remember everything we’ve been through? This is a beautiful ending. Come on, push,” Evan whispered right by her ear.

“Come on, Alice! One more time! I can see the head!” Doctor Sarah exclaimed.

“AAAGGGHHHH!” Alice screamed, pouring out every last ounce of strength she had. Every muscle in her body tensed.

Outside the room, Zavian paced back and forth along the quiet corridor. Lavina sat in the waiting chair, her fingers constantly moving over her prayer beads, lips murmuring prayers.

“Calm down, Zavian. You’re making me dizzy,” Lavina scolded without looking up.

“I can’t calm down, Mother. The last time I was in a situation like this was when Grizelle gave birth to Evan. And now… that child is about to become a father,” Zavian’s voice trembled with an emotion he rarely showed.

“That’s because they were destined to be together. You heard Grizelle’s will yourself, didn’t you? This is a lifeline that was already written,” Lavina replied.

Suddenly, Alice’s screams stopped, replaced by an eerie silence that lasted for several seconds. Zavian and Lavina froze, staring at the white door in front of them.

Then, a piercing sound broke the hospital’s stillness. The loud, powerful cry of a newborn baby.

“Oeeeekk! Oeeeekk!”

Lavina immediately covered her face and wept in relief. Zavian let out a long breath, the tension in his shoulders finally melting away. He leaned back against the corridor wall with a wide, sincere smile.

Inside the room, Evan stood motionless, staring at the small, reddish figure now cradled in Doctor Sarah’s arms. His body shook violently. For the first time in his life, Evan Nathaniel cried, not from sorrow, but from overwhelming emotion.

“Congratulations, Young Master. He’s a very handsome and healthy baby boy,” Doctor Sarah said.

The baby was quickly cleaned and then placed on Alice’s chest for skin-to-skin contact. As soon as he felt his mother’s warmth, his cries softened into small whimpers.

Exhausted, Alice could only smile faintly. She stroked the tiny baby’s back with trembling fingers. “Hi, Leo… we finally meet.”

Evan stepped closer, kissing Alice’s forehead for a long moment before pressing a gentle kiss to his son’s brow. “Thank you, Alice. Thank you so much.”

“Look at him, Evan… he has your nose,” Alice whispered.

“And he has your clear eyes,” Evan replied softly.

A few minutes later, the door opened. Evan gestured for Zavian and Lavina to come in.

Lavina rushed to the bedside at once, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at her great-grandson. “Oh my goodness… he’s perfect. A new little Nathaniel.”

Zavian stood beside Evan, patting his son’s shoulder proudly. He looked at the baby with deep emotion. “Congratulations, Evan. Congratulations, Alice. He will be a great leader in the future.”

“His name is Leo, Pa. Leo Grizelle Nathaniel,” Evan said as he introduced his son.

“A beautiful name,” Zavian praised. “Grizelle must be smiling right now.”

That night, the hospital’s VIP room was filled with pure happiness. There was no talk of enemies, business, or betrayal anymore. They were simply a family celebrating a new life. Evan did not leave Alice’s and their baby’s side for a single second.

The room grew very quiet when Alice and baby Leo finally fell asleep from exhaustion. Evan sat in the chair beside the bed, gazing at his two greatest treasures under the soft bedside lamp.

That peace was slightly disturbed when Rico entered quietly and signaled to Evan. Evan stood and stepped into the corridor.

“What is it, Rico? Everything’s over now, isn’t it?” Evan asked.

“Everything is secure, Young Master. However, there is one thing that has just arrived at the administration desk. A delivery from the Smith family’s overseas notary has just been processed,” Rico said, handing him a small blue envelope.

Evan frowned. He opened the envelope right there in the corridor. Inside was an old X-ray image belonging to his late mother, Grizelle, along with a footnote written in gold ink.

He read it carefully, and his eyes suddenly widened. He glanced toward the room where Alice and their baby were sleeping, then looked back at the note with an expression of disbelief.

“Rico… recheck Alice’s medical records from when she first entered our estate. Now!” Evan ordered, his tone suddenly grave.

“What is it, Young Master? Is there a problem with Madam’s health?” Rico asked, confused.

Evan clenched the paper tightly. “It’s not a health issue. It’s about the birthmark that should exist on a true-born Nathaniel heir.”