Chapter 41 Agree to Have a Child
Olivia isn't good at lying. She knows that at times like this, it's better for her to keep quiet.
"Grandpa, the most important thing right now is for you to rest and recover. Other things can wait," Luca said, his tone a bit unnatural.
"Grandpa, please focus on getting better first. Our matters aren't as important as your health," Olivia quickly chimed in.
Linus sensed their avoidance. He closed his tired eyes and let out a soft sigh. "My health is getting worse every year. I don't even know if I'll recover. Maybe I won't be around long enough to see you two start a family."
"Grandpa, don't say that!" Luca grew anxious and gritted his teeth. "Once you're out of the hospital, we'll definitely start trying for a baby!"
Olivia's eyes widened in shock, and she gasped, shooting Luca a glare. Even if it's for Linus's sake, he can't just say things like that!
Luca pretended not to notice Olivia's warning look.
"Really?" Linus immediately brightened up, his eyes regaining some light.
Luca nodded. "Of course, Grandpa. Just rest well for now, and I'll arrange everything as soon as possible."
Linus beamed with a big smile. "That's wonderful!"
Olivia felt conflicted but could only force a smile alongside him.
She and Luca were about to get a divorce. How could they possibly try for a baby?
But then again, Luca only promised to start trying, not necessarily with her.
If she and Luca ended up getting divorced, and Luca married Windy and had a child, that would still count, wouldn't it? That wouldn't really be lying to Grandpa, right?
Thinking of this, she felt a bit uneasy.
They stayed with Linus for a while longer until he fell asleep. Then the two of them left the room.
Luca's expression turned serious. "You heard that. Grandpa absolutely can't handle any stress. We have to keep his mood stable."
Olivia's heart sank. She had a feeling she knew what he was about to say.
"With the way things are, Grandpa probably won't be fully recovered by the time of the family gathering. He'll likely still be stuck in bed, needing a lot of rest. If we go through with our original plan and get divorced right after that..." Luca paused, his voice sincere. "It would crush him. All he wants is for us to have a happy marriage and give him a grandchild."
Olivia clenched her fists. She had to think about Linus, but also about the baby in her belly. Her emotions were all over the place. "Just say what you want to say."
Luca took a deep breath. "We have to delay the divorce. At least for a month, until Grandpa's observation period is over and we're sure his condition is stable. Then we can find the right time to tell him. For this month, we need to keep things as they are. We can't let Grandpa see that there's anything wrong between us, and we have to pretend we're trying for a baby to make him happy."
Olivia listened in silence, unable to find a reason to argue.
Luca made sense. Grandpa's health came first. Linus had always been kind to her and her mother. She couldn't divorce at a time when he was at his weakest.
"I understand," she nodded. "For Grandpa's sake, I agree to your plan. I'll do my best to cooperate this month."
Hearing her agree, Luca let out a small sigh of relief, though his feelings were complicated. "Good. Remember what you said. Don't bring up divorce this month."
After that, Luca went to talk to the doctor about Linus's detailed condition and treatment plan, while Olivia went downstairs to buy some food for Linus.
But neither of them noticed that someone was secretly listening to their conversation from behind the stairwell door.
It was Linda.
She had heard about Linus's serious health issue and rushed to the hospital, but she never expected to overhear something like this.
Linda stepped out with a frown, feeling extremely annoyed.
Delay the divorce, keep things as they are, and even pretend to try for a baby?
She hated Olivia the most. Windy definitely wouldn't want to see them dragging this out either.
Linda immediately pulled out her phone. "Windy! It's me. Guess what secret I just heard!"
She told Windy everything she'd overheard. "They can't divorce for now, at least not until Grandpa's condition stabilizes in a month. Luca said it himself. He also mentioned that they can't let Grandpa notice any issues in their relationship and have to pretend they're trying for a baby!"
Windy couldn't believe that Luca would pretend to try for a baby with Olivia just for Grandpa's sake!
Damn it!
She felt both disappointed and furious. Why did Linus have to get sick at a time like this? And that awful Olivia! She must be thrilled to avoid divorcing Luca, right?
No way. A month is too long.
What if they end up developing feelings for each other in the meantime?
Windy gripped her phone tightly, a sense of crisis surging within her. Even if Linus gets better, so many unexpected things could happen. What if Luca suddenly changes his mind and decides not to divorce?
She had to come up with a plan!
That evening, Olivia stayed with Linus until he finished eating. Seeing that he looked much better, she and Luca headed home together.
On the way, Jason texted her to remind her about her treatment tomorrow. Olivia then remembered it was Saturday. She almost forgot she had also planned to meet an old family helper.
After getting out of the car with Luca, she quickly said, "I have to go to the hospital for treatment tomorrow. You can visit Grandpa on your own in the morning."
Luca stopped in his tracks, frowning in displeasure. "Again with that Jason?" Why does this guy keep showing up?
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Luca, can you be a bit more mature? He's my doctor now."
Hearing Olivia's tone, Luca instantly felt irritated. He was about to say something when a woman walked out of the villa.
She greeted them with a smile. "Good evening, sir, madam."
Olivia looked at Luca, her eyes full of confusion.
Luca was just as puzzled. "Who are you?"
Eileen smiled and explained, "I'm sorry to bother you so late. I'm Eileen, a nutritionist. Mr. Linus sent me here. He asked me to start taking care of madam's health from tonight, hoping I can help you have a child soon."
Olivia's eyes widened, alarm bells ringing in her head.
Where did Linus keep finding all these nutritionists? Last time it was Jenna, now it's Eileen! She was completely caught off guard!
And if a nutritionist really started monitoring her ovulation, her pregnancy would be exposed right away.
She quickly tugged at Luca beside her and whispered, "Luca, we can't let her stay here! If she figures out we're faking it, it'll cause even more trouble."
Luca frowned tightly. He agreed with Olivia—he didn't like having someone constantly looking over his shoulder either.
Luca coldly refused, "Thank you, but my grandfather is resting in the hospital right now. We're not in the mood to cooperate. Please go back. Once Grandpa recovers, I'll hire you again." His tone carried a strong sense of authority.
Eileen was a bit surprised and tried to insist, "But Mr. Linus said he..."
"I'll explain it to Grandpa myself," Luca interrupted. "Please leave for tonight."
Seeing that Luca wasn't willing to cooperate, Eileen could only shrug helplessly and leave the villa.
Olivia finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She walked into the living room, wanting to pour herself a glass of water, when Luca's phone suddenly rang.
It was Linus calling.