Chapter 260 While I Still Can

Chapter 260 While I Still Can
Leitana slowly cut the fresh fish on the large wooden cutting board, her movements careful and practiced. The kitchen in their new home in Vanuatu was bright and airy, wide windows letting in golden afternoon light and the distant sound of ocean waves.

The three local kitchen staff hovered nearby, watching her with warm, slightly amused expressions. They had tried to take over at first, but Leitana had politely insisted on doing most of it herself.

“Mi want to cook for mi husband and Rosie today,” she had said with a shy smile. “Mi miss cooking like this.”

Now they helped where she allowed—chopping vegetables and fetching ingredients—while the main work remained hers.

She washed the fish thoroughly under cool running water, then seasoned it with salt, garlic, ginger, and a squeeze of fresh lime. The smell of ocean and spices filled the kitchen.

“Dis one go taste very good with coconut milk,” she murmured happily, mostly to herself.

One of the older staff ladies smiled. “You cook like a true island woman, Mrs. Ashbourne.”

Leitana blushed but kept working, adding chopped cabbage, tomatoes, onions, and fresh herbs into the big pot. She poured in rich coconut milk, stirred gently, and turned the heat to a low simmer. The soup began to bubble softly, filling the air with a fragrant, creamy aroma.

She tasted a little broth on the tip of her finger. “Mmm… almost perfect.”

A strong arm suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind.

Leitana didn’t need to turn around. She knew that touch, that warmth.

Ravial.

He pulled her back against his chest, one large hand rubbing her rounded belly while the other rested on her hip. The kitchen staff quietly slipped out, leaving them alone.

Leitana smiled, leaning into him as she continued stirring with one hand.

“Yu finally finished yu calls?” she asked softly.

Ravial hummed, lowering his head to press slow, open-mouthed kisses along the side of her neck. His breath was hot against her skin. He inhaled deeply, groaning low.

“You smell so fucking good,” he murmured.

Leitana shivered, a soft giggle escaping as his kisses grew heated, teeth grazing her sensitive skin. His hand on her belly rubbed slow circles before sliding higher, cupping one of her full, sensitive breasts through the thin fabric of her dress.

She gasped, the spoon pausing in the pot.

“Mi Ravial… the soup…”

“Let it simmer,” he whispered, thumb brushing over her nipple. “I’ve been thinking about you all day, my lamb.”

Leitana bit her lip, leaning her head back against his shoulder as his other hand joined the first, gently massaging both breasts. Her body was so sensitive these days—every touch sent sparks straight between her legs.

“Yu always so hungry for mi,” she whispered, voice breathy.

Ravial chuckled darkly, nipping at her earlobe. “Starving.” He pressed his hardness against her ass. “Always starving for you.”

Leitana moaned softly, one hand reaching back to grip his thigh as she tried—and failed—to stay focused on the soup.

Ravial chuckled against her neck, reluctant to let her go.

"If you keep touching me like that, we'll never eat," she replied with a shy smile.

"That doesn't sound like a problem."

She laughed softly and gently peeled his hands away from her.

"Behave," she scolded playfully. "Mi still have vegetables to finish."

With one last lingering kiss against her neck, Ravial finally released her.

Leitana stepped over to the large wooden cutting board where fresh carrots and spring onions waited. She picked up the knife and reached for a carrot, intending to slice it into thin rounds.

The moment she lifted the knife, a violent wave of dizziness crashed over her.

Her vision blurred.

"Ah.."

The knife slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the wooden counter as her knees buckled.

Leitana lurched sideways, grabbing the edge of the counter to keep herself upright.

"Leitana!"

Ravial was beside her in less than a heartbeat. Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her securely against his chest before she could collapse.

"Talk to me." His voice was tight with fear. "Are you alright?"

She leaned into him, breathing slowly until the dizziness passed. “Mi fine… just moved too fast,” she whispered, though fresh tears pricked her eyes.

They both knew the truth. She was getting weaker. Every day, the illness inside her took a little more.

Ravial hugged her tighter, burying his face in her hair. For a long moment, he simply held her. Leitana felt hot tears slide down her cheeks as she reached for the knife again with a trembling hand.

“Mi have to finish this,” she said softly. “For Rosie. For you. Mi want to cook for our family… while mi still can.”

Ravial’s arms stayed wrapped around her, his large hand gently rubbing her belly as his forehead rested against the back of her head. She could feel the tension in his powerful frame—the silent war he waged against the inevitable.

“You don’t have to do everything yourself,” he murmured, voice rough with emotion. “Let me help you. Let me carry some of this weight, my lamb.”

Leitana closed her eyes, letting his warmth surround her as she continued stirring, tears mixing silently with the fragrant steam.

“Mi know,” she whispered. “But right now… mi just want to do this. Mi want to be strong for our family… for as long as mi can.”

Ravial pressed a long, tender kiss to the side of her neck, holding her even closer.

“You are the strongest person I have ever known,” he said quietly, voice thick.

The soup smelled beautiful.

But the quiet fear in both their hearts lingered in the warm kitchen air, heavy and unspoken.