Chapter 25 Mr. Sterling, You Need to Help Mrs. Sterling
Having already kissed, Arabella didn't continue being coy and let Gabriel take care of her.
After the shower, he wrapped her in a bath towel and carried her out horizontally.
Taking clean pajamas from the walk-in closet, he placed them beside the bed before turning away, "Get some sleep first. I'm going to shower."
His pants were still on, now completely soaked and clinging to his skin.
Otherwise, he would have continued helping her get dressed.
"Mmm..." Her voice was barely audible as she burrowed under the covers.
Only after he returned to the bathroom did she breathe a huge sigh of relief and quickly crawl out to put on her clothes.
When she lay down again, she stared up at the ceiling, all physical discomfort completely forgotten.
After being awkward for so long, sleeping in separate rooms for so long, that kiss had dissolved everything.
How should she face him when he came out?
Her mind was in chaos, and before she could sort through her thoughts, the bathroom door opened, and Gabriel emerged with steam still rising from his body.
She could only quickly close her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Gabriel walked over, his moist eyes glancing at her deeply. He could obviously tell she was faking sleep, but didn't call her out.
It was too late tonight; she was sick and uncomfortable, and he was exhausted too.
They should get a good night's sleep first.
Once these busy days were over and William's funeral was properly handled, they could have the mental space to discuss these matters properly.
So he said nothing, just silently turned off the lights, pulled back the covers, and lay down.
Actually, his body felt a strange longing, wanting to turn over and pull her into his arms.
Grandfather's death was a pain in his heart that couldn't heal in the short term. He, too, wanted spiritual support, wanted someone to comfort him.
But he was afraid this sudden intimacy would make her nervous and defensive, even scare her into getting up and leaving.
He yearned for a long while, until drowsiness enveloped them both. In his half-awake, half-asleep state, he turned over, moving slightly closer to her.
And Arabella, nearly asleep, dimly sensed Gabriel moving closer to her.
Her body instinctively tensed.
Fortunately, he had only turned over naturally, making no other moves.
Her tense body gradually relaxed again, then fell into deep sleep.
During the night, Arabella had to get up.
Although she was very tired and sleepy, she had no choice. Otherwise, her mammary glands that had just been slightly cleared would become even worse blocked from engorgement.
The children weren't in the master bedroom. In the darkness, she quietly moved toward the edge of the bed.
Unexpectedly, a drowsy, husky voice came from behind her, "Where are you going?"
She jumped in fright, turning back toward the bed. "To nurse."
"You're sick, so just rest properly. Leave the feeding to Mary."
Knowing he didn't understand anything, Arabella awkwardly explained, "I have to nurse, otherwise I'll be in trouble. Keep sleeping."
Gabriel was too tired these days. While talking to her, he was drowsy again, mumbling, "Come back early after feeding."
As Arabella opened the door to leave, those words still echoed in her ears.
Unlike his usual cold and commanding daytime demeanor, there was something like a little boy's confused stubbornness when acting spoiled.
After feeding the baby, she really did come back.
And as soon as she lay on the bed, she was pulled into the man's arms. She didn't know if he had been waiting for her without sleeping.
Arabella was so startled that all sleepiness vanished. In the darkness, she looked up at his silhouette, not daring to breathe heavily.
Fortunately, after holding her, he made no further moves and soon fell asleep with deep, steady breathing.
She could tell he was also very tired and sleepy.
In the darkness, she gradually relaxed.
At this moment, she even felt some sympathy and heartache for him.
If he truly reformed and treated her well in the future, focusing on their family, could she really let go of her divorce plans and continue living with him?
Holding each other, they both slept until they forgot about time.
In the morning, Mary got up to settle the children. Looking at the wall clock, then at the master bedroom upstairs, she was torn.
She knew this was a great opportunity for the couple's relationship to heal and shouldn't be interrupted.
But thinking that Arabella's mastitis hadn't fully recovered, and she'd slept three or four hours without emptying her breasts—what if it got serious again?
After hesitating for a while, she was truly worried. Seeing Henry crying, and the nanny feeding him warmed breast milk, she got up to hold him, deliberately taking Henry upstairs to pace outside the master bedroom.
'Henry, cry! Cry louder!'
Mary prayed silently.
In the room, Arabella hadn't slept so peacefully in a very long time.
Hearing the baby's cries, her first reaction was to think she was dreaming.
Then Gabriel suddenly woke up with a start, his body trembling as he looked up and asked, "Is that Henry crying?"
Arabella, held in his arms, also woke up. Looking up to meet his gaze, she was instantly embarrassed and at a loss.
Fortunately, the baby's cries in the hallway outside grew louder and louder. She didn't have time to be embarrassed for long before reacting, "It's Henry crying. It's already daylight—he must be hungry."
She sat up away from him, frantically trying to get out of bed. But as soon as she moved, she hissed in pain and froze.
Seeing her hunched over and motionless, Gabriel immediately frowned, "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
"Nothing, nothing... Go open the door and have Mary bring Henry in." She endured the heavy, dragging pain and instructed Gabriel, then hurried to the bathroom.
Hot towel compress, gentle massage, then let Henry nurse—she prayed it would help, otherwise she'd have to endure that torture-like pain from last night again.
Hearing the baby's voice coming in, she turned and went out.
Seeing her, Mary had a gratified yet knowing smile on her face. "I knew you two were sleeping soundly and shouldn't disturb you, but Henry was crying so hard."
Arabella didn't dare look at Mary's teasing expression, taking Henry to the sofa area.
However, after struggling for a while, Henry's cries continued intermittently without stopping, and she was in so much pain she was about to cry.
Mary could tell at a glance, frowning and sighing, "Is it blocked again?"
Arabella was suffering beyond words.
Her entire armpit area hurt now, making it difficult even to lift her arm.
Seeing her trying to continue breastfeeding despite her discomfort, Mary advised, "First, use a hot towel compress. When you feel better, have Mr. Sterling help you. Adults have more strength and can better control the pressure."
Arabella was stunned, turning to look at Mary standing beside the sofa, completely puzzled, "Him... help me?"
"Oh my, what's there to be embarrassed about? When we were young, there were no lactation consultants or breast pumps. When this happened, husbands always helped out."
Mary had more experience in this area. After speaking, she made a sucking motion with her mouth, "Like this—it works!"
Arabella's mind exploded with a thunderous crash. Her whole body petrified and froze, her cheeks burning hot.
She would rather continue being tortured by the lactation consultant than have Gabriel help her.
But Mary didn't care about any of that. Seeing Gabriel emerge from the bathroom, she turned and approached him, "Mr. Sterling, you need to help Mrs. Sterling. Women really suffer when nursing. You should help her quickly before it gets serious and causes mastitis again."
Gabriel was equally confused.
He was neither a doctor nor a lactation consultant. How was he supposed to help?