Chapter 223: Soft-Hearted Toward Him Again
Looking back, there had actually been signs of the pregnancy all along.
During this time, I'd occasionally feel irritable out of nowhere, as if I couldn't control my emotions. I was eating more and getting sleepy easily. But I chalked it all up to being overworked, and when my period was late, I figured it was just a hormonal imbalance.
I never expected I was actually pregnant—and almost three months along at that.
I instinctively touched my belly. More than joy, I felt confused.
Lucas gripped the test results tightly. "Bella."
His eyes were full of delight—or maybe I should say pure ecstasy!
"We're having a baby! We're having another baby!" Lucas strode toward me but didn't notice my shoes under the examination table and tripped. His legs gave out and he fell hard on his knees—the sound made even me wince.
Everyone else stared at Lucas in surprise at his loss of composure. Alfred quickly called out to him and reached to help him up, but Lucas didn't hear. His eyes could only see me, his ears could only hear my voice.
I grabbed Lucas's hand. "Get up."
Lucas nodded hard. I was shocked to find his hand trembling slightly.
He was so excited that my calm reaction seemed off by comparison.
Lucas asked anxiously in a low voice, "Bella, aren't you happy?"
"Of course I'm happy," I replied flatly.
Lucas frowned. Roger patted his shoulder. "I know you're excited, but Isabella needs rest now."
How unusually considerate of Roger. I gave him a subtle look of gratitude.
Lucas asked me, "Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"
I actually had no appetite, but I figured it was best to give Lucas something to do.
"I want sweet pumpkin pie," I said.
Lucas immediately agreed, "Okay, I'll have someone make it right away!"
I said on purpose, "I want you to make it yourself."
When Lucas lived with the Valeri family, they often withheld food from him, so he learned to cook for himself. But in all the years I'd known him, I rarely saw him in the kitchen.
Lucas agreed without hesitation and left reluctantly.
Brian and Marcus rushed over when they heard the news. Gale was in Dawnharbor, and if I hadn't strongly discouraged him, he would have dropped everything to come back immediately.
"I'm just pregnant, not about to give birth. You're all overreacting!"
"Not overreacting, not at all." Brian pushed up his rimless glasses, looking every bit the professional, but his fingers were frantically placing orders on a shopping app.
"Baby bottles, buy!"
"Comfortable maternity clothes, buy!"
"Nutritional formula, suitable for pregnant women, buy!"
"Soft comfortable bed, buy!"
"Brian! Stop buying stuff!" Marcus grabbed Brian's hand excitedly.
I thought Marcus was being sensible for once.
But then Marcus said, "If you buy everything, what's left for me to buy?"
Brian glanced at Marcus disdainfully. "Do you even have money? All the money you earn from missions goes to maintaining your weapons. Your daily expenses and dating all depend on the allowance Bella gives you. Gale and I can both earn money to spend on Bella. You're the most useless one in our family! Jacqueline really got the short end of the stick with you."
Marcus jumped up anxiously. "I have money! I've been hiding some away!"
I smiled watching them bicker.
Brian looked at me and put down his phone. "Fine, I'll leave the shopping to you then. Bella, let me hire a few nutritionists and servants for you, and two nannies. The house you're living in now is too small—might as well get a bigger one."
I was exasperated. "Even when the baby's born, it'll just be tiny. How much space could it take up? There's no need to change houses now."
"But when the child gets bigger, you'll need a bigger house."
"When he gets bigger, he'll be running all over the place. If the house is too big, I won't be able to find him." I cut Brian off.
Brian was about to say something else, so I quickly stopped him. "Okay, Brian, don't be so nervous."
I changed the subject to business. "How's Michelle doing?"
Brian's eyes turned cold. "Still alive."
"Let it slip that Michelle is the real owner behind Elysian Glow beauty salon, then let Michelle go. Diana should be waking up soon too."
Brian raised an eyebrow. "If Diana finds out Michelle ruined her face, she definitely won't let her off. Besides Diana, plenty of other people would love to find Michelle and get their revenge."
I taught Roger and Cressida the method to treat the faces, then went home at Brian and Marcus's insistence.
That evening, Lucas came over, bringing the pumpkin pie he'd made himself.
Brian and Marcus had already prepared a feast to celebrate my pregnancy. Marcus snorted dismissively. "Who cares about your pumpkin pie."
Jacqueline glanced at Lucas's expression and kicked Marcus's foot. "Lucas made the pumpkin pie for Bella. It has nothing to do with you."
Marcus protested, "How does it have nothing to do with me? Bella is my most precious sister!"
Jacqueline challenged him, "When are you going to make me pumpkin pie?"
"I only know how to eat it." Marcus said sullenly. "I promise I'll learn to cook, but don't get your hopes up too much."
Jacqueline fell silent.
I was really worried Marcus would drive Jacqueline crazy.
Brian wasn't as hostile toward Lucas, even voluntarily giving up the seat to my right.
"Thank you." Lucas looked at Brian gratefully, then took the pumpkin pie out of its container. After looking at the other food on the table, he skillfully put dishes that suited my taste onto my plate.
I tried a bite of the pumpkin pie. It was surprisingly delicious.
"It's really good, thank you."
My single compliment made Lucas smile like a child—shy and delighted.
"I'm glad you like it!"
I observed him from the corner of my eye. Lucas stared at me like a large dog that had done something wrong and was afraid of being sent away.
I couldn't help softening toward him again, not pressing him about what he'd been hiding from me, pretending to forget about it.
Sensing my softening attitude, Lucas grew bolder.
By ten o'clock that night, he showed no signs of leaving and even had Alfred pack up his luggage and send it over.
He clearly planned to stay long-term.
Marcus glared at him. "This isn't your home!"
Lucas was unusually respectful toward Marcus. "I want to stay. I'll take good care of Bella. I can only feel at ease if I care for her myself."
Marcus pursed his lips and gave Brian a look.
Brian gazed at Lucas with deep, steady eyes. "Are you serious about this?"
"Yes." Lucas stood up straight and answered solemnly.
"Fine, we're leaving Bella in your care for now." Brian warned him, "Bella is soft-hearted, but we're not. Don't let her down again."
"Yes!"
After washing up, I was doing my skincare routine when Lucas knocked and came in.
He was wearing pajamas, having already showered in the guest room, his hair still damp at the tips.
He walked into the bathroom in my room and looked around, frowning. "Tomorrow I'll have someone install a safer non-slip mat."
I gently rubbed the face cream into my cheeks and nodded casually.
Lucas walked to my side, silent but with an overwhelming presence.
"What?" I gave him a questioning look through the mirror.
"I was wrong before." Lucas apologized to me. "Please don't ignore me anymore, okay?"
"What if I say no?" I asked slowly.
Lucas acted shamelessly and lay down on my bed, hugging a pillow with a wronged expression. "I want to sleep with you tonight. Don't make me leave. Bella, let me stay."