Chapter 102: You Have to Fight for Everything Yourself

Carl steadied himself and glanced at his arm.

Quinn had already applied the medicine and was gently massaging it in. Feeling the warmth, he drifted off into his thoughts again.

"Keep this on tonight. I'll find a new herb tomorrow to make a fresh batch. Use it for about a week, and you'll be good as new. Thanks for trusting me," Quinn said softly, smiling as she finished up.

Earlier, when Carl saw the progress of his scar treatment while bathing, he was blown away. The once unsightly scar had transformed into a thin layer, with the original burn mark nearly vanished.

It was like magic.

"Thanks!" Carl's voice was soft but sincere.

Quinn just looked up at him with a smile, their distance closing a bit more.

She helped him roll down his sleeve and, seeing him return to work, picked up a bowl with concern. "Get some rest. You can't finish everything in one day."

"You go to bed early. I don't know how long I'll be at this tonight, but I'll be quiet when I come to bed," Carl said, his fingers flying over the keyboard, fully immersed in his work.

However, Quinn stand beside him for a while,  her eyes  fixed on Carl. Unlike others, she didn't see him as always full of energy and endless strength. Instead, she saw his loneliness, hard work, relentless diligence, and strict self-discipline.

After a bit, Carl noticed she hadn't left and turned to look at her, his deep eyes filled with confusion. "What's up?"

Quinn shook her head, not wanting to take up his time, and left the study.

Feeling guilty, she thought she was a failure as a wife, unable to help at all. Watching Carl work so hard, she felt a heavy heart, unable to alleviate his work pressure or resolve family conflicts, thus only contributing to his worries.

But he was her husband, the father of their child, the pillar of the family. If he collapsed from exhaustion, what would she do?

Lying in bed, Quinn tossed and turned, unable to stop thinking about Carl working late into the night.

Even though she was exhausted, she couldn't sleep, staying awake until 2 a.m.

During this time, she searched for the rare and precious herb "Ethereal Veinwort" on her phone, not knowing where to find it. Historically used in national trade, it wasn't something money could easily buy.

Soon, she found a post on a website.

The post didn't specify where to locate Ethereal Veinwort, only alluding to a renowned doctor in Sunrise City known for curing challenging illnesses and possessing a range of rare and valuable herbs.

Considering the doctor's expertise, Quinn speculated that they likely stocked a comprehensive selection of herbs, so she made a note of the pharmacy's address.

She hurriedly put down her phone as Carl walked to the bed in the dark, changed into his pajamas, and gently lay down.

Smelling the lingering scent of herbs, Quinn softly asked, "Carl, are you tired?"

Surprised that Quinn was still awake, Carl replied after a moment, "Not too bad."

"Are you happy doing this?" Quinn asked after a long pause, staring at the ceiling. Carl was quiet, mulling over her question. Seeing his silence, Quinn's heart ached even more.

Turning her head, she could see Carl's silhouette in the moonlight. "Your body is yours, and work never stops. You gotta rest. You're gonna be a dad soon. Even if not for yourself, think about the little one."

"Okay," Carl said, contemplating whether he was truly happy doing this.

Realizing he hadn't thought about these questions for a long time, he saw how self-centered he'd been. He wasn't sure if he was in control of his work or if it controlled him.

"I think we should live our lives doing things that make us happy. If we ain't happy, all the hard work and success don't mean squat," Quinn remarked.

Carl suddenly asked, "What about you? Are you happy being married to me?"

Quinn was slightly taken aback but smiled and replied, "Of course. Marriage is a gamble, entrusting your future to someone else. At least for now, I think betting on you has a better chance than anyone else."

Her answer moved Carl, and he held her hand, speaking seriously, "Don't worry. I've decided to spend my life with you. I'll be a good father and husband."

These words should have been touching, but she felt a bit sad, thinking he only said it because she was pregnant.

"Carl, I hope you can love life and happily do everything, including work. Sure, I hope you can love me too, on the side," Quinn said, feeling the warmth from Carl's hand. She believed that happiness and joy were things one had to strive for, and marriage was no different.

Carl didn't answer, instead falling into deep thought. Since Lucy left, he felt he had lost the ability to love because love ultimately led to pain.

Both of them remained silent.

Quinn felt a bit regretful for saying so much, thinking she had pushed their relationship back to where it was before.

Carl let go of her hand and turned his back to her. "Sleep."

In the darkness, they fell asleep. Quinn, having thought a lot, had a dream.

The next morning, Carl, dressed in a suit, asked for her opinion, "You're expecting, so no more household chores for you. I'll get a housekeeper. Sound good?"

Quinn actually wanted to enjoy their time together, but she didn't want to go against Carl's wishes and upset him. "I'll leave it to you."

Carl said, "Okay, I'll arrange it. Since you don't want Grandpa to know about the pregnancy, I'll hire someone from outside, not from the Ward Mansion. It might take a while to find the right fit."

Quinn answered, "Alright, you handle it."

Noticing everyone centered around Steven during her recent visits, Quinn didn't want anyone from the Ward Mansion involved, fearing her pregnancy would be exposed. Just thinking of Winter's cold, intimidating gaze filled her with fear.

After Carl left, Quinn went back to sleep for a while.

She got up around ten, had breakfast, and found Kelly waiting in the car.

Quinn asked, "Kelly, I need to go to this place. Do you know it?"

Kelly glanced at the address and nodded. "Mrs. Ward, I know it. Shall we go now?"

Quinn was secretly surprised. With just a glance at the address, without even using navigation, she knew the way?