Chapter 45: How Did It Come to This
After she threw up, he didn't just leave her to go shower right away.
He only hurriedly pulled off his sweater and, still wearing the shirt stained with disgusting filth, took care of her first.
Compared to that day when Amelia splashed wine on him and he didn't get angry, her throwing up all over him was even more—
The moment that comparison popped into her mind, Mia's hands, folded over her belly, dug her nails hard into the back of her hand.
Using pain to stop herself from making such a pathetic comparison.
Not allowing herself to waver.
……
James saw Mia lying there quietly, not responding to him.
He looked at her deeply, "Call me if you need anything, I'll be right out."
After saying that, he turned and rushed to the bathroom.
He hadn't expected that making Mia eat would cause her to throw up like this!
Worried she might call for him and he wouldn't hear, James didn't close the bathroom door.
As soon as he got in, he couldn't wait to start taking off his clothes.
Clearly, he'd reached his limit of tolerance.
Too impatient to undo the buttons one by one, he just yanked roughly.
The buttons popped off and scattered, ruining a perfectly good shirt just like that.
He quickly stripped it off and threw it in the trash.
Earlier, outside, all his attention had been on Mia, making him ignore the mess and smell on himself.
Now, James's head was pounding.
His body was getting more and more tense.
That uncomfortable feeling was like disgusting bugs crawling all over him, absolutely revolting.
……
Mia heard the sounds from the bathroom and couldn't help turning to look.
Seeing James in such pain, her eyes filled with complicated emotions.
James, why go this far.
……
James quickly came out of the bathroom and pressed the call button.
The doctor arrived quickly and entered the room.
Seeing Mia looking weak and James full of anger, he was terrified.
"Why does Mia throw up everything she eats?" James's tone was harsh because he was anxious.
This morning he'd learned from the nurse about James's identity—someone he couldn't afford to offend!
Facing his anger, what could he do but endure it!
Just as he didn't know how to handle this, a voice came from the doorway, "James."
Hearing Louis's voice, no one was more excited than the attending doctor, "Dr. Cox."
Louis's arrival rescued the attending doctor.
After understanding the situation, he told the attending doctor to leave.
The doctor glanced at James.
His face was cold, brows furrowed, but he didn't disrespect Louis.
The attending doctor "fled in panic," looking at Louis with even more admiration as he left.
……
When the door closed again, Louis gave James a look that said "calm down."
He stepped forward and greeted Mia, who was lying weakly in the hospital bed, with a smile, "Mia, hello, I'm Louis, James's friend."
Mia looked at Louis.
She originally had no problem with James's friends.
In fact, she'd even liked them because she liked James.
But after Amelia's party, she'd labeled all of James's friends as bad people.
She didn't like him, but she wouldn't be rude to someone being polite.
Facing Louis's friendliness, she still responded nicely, "Hello."
After that, she lowered her eyes and ignored him.
……
Louis understood women too well.
Seeing Mia's obvious dislike, he immediately figured out why.
He didn't get too close, stopping a few steps from the bed, and suddenly spoke with an ambiguous tone: "You're planning to give up this baby, aren't you?"
His tone changed abruptly.
At the mention of the baby, Mia instantly bristled.
She quickly raised her head, her hand instinctively protecting her belly.
Looking at Louis with complete wariness.
……
He had one hand in his pocket, and without his smile, he became a different person.
His gaze was calm as he met Mia's eyes.
Like a hedgehog, Mia already had issues with Louis, so naturally she thought the worst, her tone unfriendly, "What do you mean?"
Louis ignored the hostility and misunderstanding she was showing, "Knowing the fetus is unstable and still putting yourself through this—what do you think I mean? The mother's condition directly affects the fetus, don't you know that?"
He usually seemed unreliable around people he knew.
But when he wanted to, his professionalism, just standing there, could make people trust him instinctively.
Mia's pupils tightened at his words.
She lowered her eyes and bit her lip hard.
Her hands on her belly clenched quickly.
Her fingertips trembled slightly.
She wanted to defend herself, to say she was already trying hard to force herself to eat.
But—
Standing to the side, James frowned deeply—those words were too harsh.
Just as he was about to speak, Louis shot him a look: [If you want Mia to eat properly, shut up]
His professionalism was beyond question!
Without saying these things, would Mia listen?
James shut his mouth.
Time in the hospital room seemed to stand still.
One with her head down, lost in thought; one full of worry; one in complete control.
Just when James had reached his limit and wanted to rush over and hold Mia.
She spoke.
"What should I do..."
Mia's voice was very soft, sending a distress signal to Louis.
She really had tried!
"Mia, nothing is more important than your baby's health."
Louis's tone was flat.
Seeing she'd clearly taken it in, he asked unhurriedly: "Is it worth it?"
That question hit home for Mia.
Yes!
It wasn't worth it!
She'd been blind to it!
How could she be so stupid, unable to eat or sleep well over people and things that weren't worth it.
It was one thing for her own body and mind to suffer, but affecting her baby's health too.
If she lost her baby because of this, she'd regret it forever.
"Thank you."
Mia thanked him sincerely.
She could tell right from wrong.
She knew Louis said all this for her own good.
She'd been blind to it.
She'd trapped herself in negative emotions and couldn't get out.
"Don't mention it."
Louis, having succeeded with the first step of his plan, returned to his unreliable self.
Smiling at her, he said, "Take good care of yourself, and once the baby's healthy, it's not too late to settle scores."
Mia nodded gently, her gaze turning to the still-warm porridge on the bedside table.
Seeing this, James quickly moved forward to help.
Mia refused again.
Louis reached out to pick it up and handed it to her.
Mia took it with thanks and began eating in small bites.
James stood by the bed, holding the basin with both hands, his eyes focused on Mia the whole time, ready at any moment to catch whatever she might throw up.
But this time, Mia ate bite after bite, finishing the small portion of porridge without throwing up.
"I'll go buy some more."
James's eyes lit up with joy.
It was good that she could keep food down.
Seeing she could finally eat, wearing just a thin sweater and holding the basin, he strode toward the door.
Louis was speechless.
Was he planning to use the basin to get food for Mia?