Anathea was sensitive to needles. The pain lingered long after the prick.
Louie looked at her pale face, puzzled. “If it hurts that much, why do you want to keep the baby so badly?”
“Because I heard her heartbeat when I had a checkup at Syntherra Anathea’s eyes softened as she recalled that steady, strong rhythm.
She’d even recorded it. Whenever she felt like giving up, she would play it back. It was her source of comfort. Unfortunately, her phone broke, and now she couldn’t listen to it anymore.
So, she asked Sienna to help use a fetal heart monitor and record it on a recording pen.
By chance, Sienna had brought the equipment that day. Slie gently lifted Anathea’s shirt for the scan.
Louie turned and left the room, suddenly catching a delicious smell.
He wondered who was cooking.
Following the scent, Louie headed to the kitchen and spotted a tall figure in a crisp suit wearing an apron.
Gregory had clearly just come back from a meeting, but he’d effortlessly slipped into the role of the family chef.
“Wow, you’re quite the workhorse,” Louie said.
Leaning against the fridge, he watched Gregory expertly drop the ravioli into boiling water, then scoop them out as they floated, drain them, and serve them on a plate already filled with sauce.
His movements were smooth and practiced, like a pro chef at a restaurant. He’d even recreated the side dishes from Hale Eatery
perfectly.
“You’re so skilled. Are you planning to steal someone’s job?” Louie teased.
“Shut up.” Gregory grabbed a spoon and placed it on the plate before calmly ordering, “Take the ravioli to her.”
“Huh? Me?” Louie pointed at himself.
“Who else?” Gregory replied.
Louie frowned. “Can’t you do it?”
Gregory said nothing. He washed his hands at the sink and dried them with a handkerchief.
Louie raised an eyebrow, understanding immediately. The couple was clearly still at odds.
Staring at the plump ravioli on the plate, he suddenly said, “Anathea’s been having a bad appetite, right? She can’t finish all of this. Why don’t you give me half?”
“No.” Gregory shot him a sharp look. “There are leftovers in the fridge. Cook your own if you want.”
“Oh, come on, Gregory!” Louie complained. “I’ve been busting my ass taking care of you two. Even if I don’t get credit, I deserve some thanks, right?
“But how are you repaying me? By dumping all your failed ravioli on me? What, do you think I’m some kind of trash can for leftovers?”
Gregory frowned at Louie’s nonstop chatter. How had he never noticed how noisy Louie could be before?
“I don’t care. I’m sick of eating rejects. I want the real deal today!” He grabbed a plate and spoon and went to scoop the ravioli.
Before his spoon could reach the ravioli, Gregory snatched the plate away. “No way.”
“Gregory!” Louie shouted after him. “Are you putting your wife before your bro? You’re such a stingy little miser!”
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Chapter 381
+25 BONUS
Gregory ignored him and headed upstairs to Anathea’s room.
Once Gregory disappeared around the corner, Louie finally stopped cursing and opened the fridge to grab the leftover ravioli.
Tossing them into a pot, he grumbled, “Fresh ones go to the wife, leftovers to me. This guy’s serious about playing favorites.”
To vent his frustration, he piled all the side dishes Gregory made to his plate. “Hmph! Not a bite for you.”
“Wait. Where’d the salt go?”
Just as Louie was looking around, Jenny handed him the salt shaker.
“Thanks,” Louie said, taking it.
Jenny glanced at him and asked quietly, “Dr. Anderson, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
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