Chapter 33 The fatherly kind

Chapter 33 The fatherly kind
Linda’s POV

Charles rushed to me immediately. “You know you shouldn’t be crying,” he said softly, wiping the tears from my face with his thumb.

“I tried. I tried not to cry but I just couldn’t,” I sobbed.

Harvey walked in quietly behind him and leaned against the wall, giving us space.

“Please, Linda. I need you to be strong. For us. For the baby,” Charles pleaded, his voice low and earnest.

I nodded and sniffed back my tears.

“I need to go to the company now to check on a few things. Promise me you won’t worry about anything?” he asked.

“It’s hard—” I managed.

“Please. You mean the whole world to me and considering your condition, you really don’t need to worry,” he pleaded.

I looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity sitting there, quiet and unguarded.

“I will try,” I replied and he rested his head on my lap for a moment, his eyes closing briefly.

“Harvey will stay here with you,” he said.

“Won’t you need him at the office? I can stay alone,” I protested.

“You’ll be getting discharged tomorrow and I can’t let you spend the night here by yourself. It’s already late.”

“Where will you be spending the night?” I asked, looking at him with concern.

He hesitated then replied. “I have to arrange a few things at the office. I don’t think I’ll make it back today. Harvey will take you home tomorrow.”

“Don’t exhaust yourself, please,” I said, stroking his hair gently.

“I want you to bear in mind that you are not the cause of anything that is happening,” he said firmly.

“Okay,” I replied, fighting hard to keep my emotions from spilling over again.

“Be a good girl, okay?” he said as he stood up. He turned to Harvey. “Make sure you take care of her and don’t hesitate to call me if anything comes up.”

Harvey nodded. “Yes, Boss.”

I waved him goodbye and watched with a heavy heart as he walked out of the door, his broad shoulders disappearing into the corridor until I couldn’t see him anymore.

“Come on, girl, spill the tea!” Harvey rushed forward and dropped into the chair the moment Charles was gone.

“Which tea?” I asked, a little lost.

“You’re pregnant,” he said, his eyes beaming. “I’m going to be an uncle soon!”

“How did you know?” I blushed furiously.

“I connected all the dots. You are very lucky, Linda. I am so happy for you,” he said.

“Yeah,” I replied, rubbing my tummy slowly. “But I’m worried too.”

“Why? You should be the happiest woman in Maple City right now!” he said.

“You don’t understand, Harvey. I feel like I’m just bad luck,” I lowered my head.

“Why would you feel like that?”

“Since I came into his life, everything has fallen apart. His business, his relationship with the Jenkins family, everything is just crumbling.”

“And how is any of that your fault?” He looked genuinely confused. “Before he approached the Jenkins family, we were already facing financial setbacks. So none of this is on you.”

“What about the Jenkins family? What about Nikki?”

“You don’t have to worry about those people. Charles is going to sort it out. I trust him,” he assured me.

“I pray so. I don’t like seeing him go through hard times like this,” I replied, still rubbing slow circles on my stomach.

I felt Harvey’s gaze settle on me. I looked up and our eyes met.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” I asked.

“I’m looking at the once shy Linda who used to hug herself and cry alone in the backyard every evening. Then I’d climb my ladder and pass sandwiches over the fence to you,” he said, his voice going soft with the memory.

“And any evening you climbed that ladder and didn’t find me waiting, you’d sulk for days!” I replied and we both laughed.

“I can’t believe you’re going to be my boss’s wife and therefore my madam,” he said, shaking his head with a grin.

“Oh come on, we are still friends.”

“Nope. I’ll be addressing you as Ma from now.”

“I will feel embarrassed and spank you on the head!” I said.

“Then I’ll run around the city with a loudspeaker calling you Madam!” he replied.

We burst out laughing together, the sound filling the quiet hospital room and chasing away some of the heaviness that had been sitting over me all evening.

One of the nurses stepped in and we quieted immediately.

“Sorry to interrupt, Ma. Someone is here to see you,” she said politely.

“Who?” I asked, surprised.

“He addressed himself as Mr. John Jenkins,” she replied.

I exchanged a quick glance with Harvey.

“Let him in,” Harvey told the nurse and she slipped back out.

A few seconds later John stepped in, carrying a neat gift basket filled with fresh fruits, a small bunch of white flowers and a box of assorted biscuits. Harvey stood immediately and collected it from his hands, guiding him toward the chair.

“Good day, Sir,” Harvey greeted.

John sat down slowly, his movements careful, his eyes moving over me with an expression that was difficult to read. He was dressed neatly as always but something about his posture was less rigid than usual, something quieter sitting around him.

“How are you?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” I replied, keeping my voice even.

“I’m sorry for coming late. I just wanted to know how you were doing,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied, unmoved.

“What did the doctor say about your condition?” he asked, leaning forward slightly with what looked like genuine concern.

“I’m okay. It was a panic attack,” I replied.

He tilted his head and glanced sideways, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Just that?”

“Yeah,” I said.

He stood then and walked toward me. My heartbeat picked up and something in me wanted to lean back, but I held still. He reached out and pressed the back of his hand gently to my forehead.

“You’re not running a temperature,” he said and stepped back. “I can see you’re fine now.”

“Very fine,” I replied.

“I’ll get going then. Take care of yourself,” he said and turned toward the door.

My mouth opened before I made the conscious decision to speak.

“How’s Nikki?” I asked.

He stopped and turned back slowly. “She’s responding to treatment.”

“Okay. Please extend my greetings to her,” I replied.

He looked at me for a long moment, studying my face in the way he sometimes did, like he was searching for something just beneath the surface. Then he nodded.

“Take care of yourself too,” I added.

Something shifted in his eyes. That warmth I had always felt from him, the one that had confused me my whole life, appeared quietly.

Our eyes held for a moment before he lifted his hand in a small wave. I waved back and he finally left.

“You love him,” Harvey said, breaking the silence.

“What do you mean?” I raised my brow.

“Not in that way. The fatherly kind. You see him as your father,” Harvey said.

“I can’t help it, Harvey. I’ve known him my whole life and he cares for me,” I said.

“He cares for you?”

“Yes. Except that he gets poisoned by that wife of his,” I said.

“Don’t speak for him. Also, when he walked up to you just now, he took a look at your medical file,” Harvey said quietly and my heart stopped.

I turned. The file was sitting right behind me on the bed. It was wide open.

“No, no! He knows I’m pregnant??” I almost screamed.

“He came with a purpose. I’d advise you not to eat those fruits he brought,” Harvey said.

“I’m definitely not eating them. Please trash them,” I said.

He picked up the basket and headed out. I stared at the empty doorway he had walked through.

“You have a good heart, Linda,” Harvey said when he returned. “Asking after Nikki so kindly after everything she put you through.”

“They’re still my family. I feel a bond with them no matter what happens. I still see Nikki as my sister,” I said.

“Oh, cut that out please!” Harvey said, shaking his head.

I stared into empty space after he said it, wondering what tomorrow would bring. The Jenkins family now knew I was pregnant. That knowledge sitting in their hands felt dangerous.

“Harvey, I’m not safe here,” I said the moment he settled back.

“Nothing is going to happen to you. I am here,” he said.

“Promise me we’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning,” I said.

“Let’s do a pinky promise,” he said and stuck out his little finger.

A soft laugh escaped me as we locked fingers. It reminded me so much of the old days, the fence, the sandwiches, the two of us finding small ways to make the weight of life lighter.

True to his word, Harvey stayed awake through the night. When I woke at 2 AM to use the bathroom I found him sitting upright in his chair, eyes open, phone in hand.

“Won’t you sleep at all?” I asked.

“Charles placed you in my hands. I can’t let anything happen to you,” he replied.

“Harvey, the hospital security is tight,” I said gently.

“Remember what you said earlier?” he reminded me.

“I was being unnecessarily scared. Nothing is going to happen,” I said.

He must have finally taken my advice because when I opened my eyes the next morning, he was slumped in the chair fast asleep, his phone resting loosely in his hand.

Just as he had promised, we left for Charles’s house as soon as I was discharged.

Harvey had to go to the company that morning since neither of us had heard from Charles since the night before. Before he left I prepared a quick breakfast for both of them and packed his portion for the road.

“Feel free and make yourself at home. You’re safe here,” he told me at the door. “I’ve already instructed the security to not let anyone in except me or the Boss.”

I nodded and watched him drive out of the gate.

Then I turned back to the house, pressed both palms flat against my stomach and stood quietly in the morning light.

Just the two of us.