Louie paused for a beat, gave the salt shaker a quick shake, then shot Jenny a smile. “Not bad. You catch on quick.”
“Dr. Anderson, you’ve really gone above and beyond for Mr. and Ms. Sinclair,” Jenny said, her tone full of gratitude.
“No kidding. One minute I’m playing the doctor, the next I’m on security duty. Gregory ought to be cutting me two paychecks.” Louie huffed, his tone tinged with annoyance.
Jenny knew Louie had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She looked him with genuine respect. “You’ve been quietly holding everything together, Dr. Anderson.”
“Don’t flatter me.” Louie waved a hand and raised an eyebrow. “You really think your boss didn’t see through it?”
The truth was, Gregory had known exactly what Louie was up to. The whole scene was just Louie handing him a graceful excuse to go see Anathea.
Gregory had fully intended to take the plate of ravioli to her himself. But after the fight they had, he was worried she wouldn’t want to see him.
“He overthinks everything. Always stuck in his own head,” Louie said with a shrug. “If he wants to see her, then he should go see her. Why’s he so dramatic?”
At that very moment, the “dramatic” Gregory was standing just outside Anathea’s door, frozen in place. Because he had heard a fast and strong heartbeat, like a galloping colt.
A flicker of emotion lit up his calm eyes.
“The baby’s heart is beating strongly. Tough little one. She’s going to be okay.” Sienna said warmly as she handed Anathea the recording pen.
“Thank you.” Anathea cradled the recording pen in her palm. Her tears brimmed in her eyes as she listened to that sound.
As Gregory watched her through the crack in the door, a complicated look flashed in his eyes.
Sienna packed up the medical kit and stood to leave. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Gregory there. “Mr. Sinclair,” she greeted respectfully.
Anathea glanced up at him and then quickly looked away.
“Thank you for coming,” Gregory said with a polite nod. “Have the driver take you home.”
Sienna was surprised. If Gregory was offering his driver, he must be in a decent mood today. She left quietly, pulling the door closed behind her.
Now it was just Anathea and Gregory in the room.
Anathea carefully tucked away the recording pen. Gregory could tell she cherished it.
He walked over and placed the plate of ravioli on the table before asking casually, “What did the doctor say?”
“The baby’s fine.” When Anathea recalled what Gregory had said to her the other day, her tone was laced with a hint of sarcasm as she said, “Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Sinclair.”
“Did you just assume I’d be disappointed?” Gregory scooped up a spoonful of ravioli and held it out to her. “It’s going to take more than that to disappoint me.”
Anathea shot him a look and took the spoon from him with a poker face. “No need to trouble yourself, Mr. Sinclair.”
She took a big bite and chewed slowly, almost like a silent declaration to him that she would take care of herself and keep this baby no matter what.
Gregory’s gaze lingered on her. He noticed a loose strand of hair falling across her forehead and reached out to tuck it behind
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her eat.
As he did, he said softly, “You’ll need to be in better shape to say something like that.”
Anathea’s hand holding the spoon froze for a moment.
She didn’t reply and just kept eating her ravioli. Whether it was the side dishes or something else entirely, she ate more than usual–nearly two–thirds of the plate.
Gregory’s eyes softened with a trace of relief, He spoke up, sounding; almost like he was giving a report. “I’m heading to Syntherra tomorrow for a business trip. Do you want me to bring your mother over to stay with you?”
The mention of Fiona made Anathea’s heart skip. She looked up warily. “What do you want to do to her?”
Her suspicious stare hit him like a slap, but he kept his tone even. Adrian told me you tried to call her that day. I thought maybe you missed her and wanted her to be with you.”
“No need.” Anathea’s reply was firm.
She did miss Fiona. But if Gregory brought her here, it would only be another chain around her ankle, making it harder to leave.
So she said, “Don’t go near my mom.”
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Chapter 383
Upon seeing Anathea’s wary expression, Gregory sighed quietly.
He knew Anathea hardly trusted him anymore, so he didn’t push ther. “Alright, then. Get some rest.”
With that, he stood up and left the room.
Anathea heaved a sigh of relief. She took out the recording pen and pressed it to her ear before hitting play.
The baby’s heartbeat echoed softly in her ear, bringing her immense comfort.
At 11:30 pm, Gregory rubbed his aching forehead after finishing an international meeting in his study.
“Mr. Sinclair, here’s your coffee,” Jenny said, handing it over..
Gregory took a sip and frowned.
Jenny immediately tensed up. “Is it… not good?”
“It’s okay,” he replied flatly. But he thought to himself that it could never compare to the coffee Anathea made.
His mind drifted back to that time when Anathea brought him coffee just to buy time for Adam’s case. She’d even sat on his lap and kissed him. Right at this very desk, they…
It was best not to get lost in memories.
Snapping back to reality, he asked, “Is Anathea asleep?”
“Mrs. Sinclair went to sleep an hour ago,” Jenny answered.
Gregory set down the cup of coffee and went to the master bedroom.
The lights were off, leaving the room in darkness except for a sliver of moonlight streaming in. It gently illuminated Anathea’s serene face. She looked just like a sleeping beauty.
He quietly approached the bed and gently tucked her exposed hand under the covers. His gaze lingered on her sleeping face.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the recording pen peeking out from under her pillow. He reached for it, put it to his ear, and pressed play.
In the stillness, the baby’s heartbeat was strikingly clear.
A ripple of emotion shimmered in Gregory’s eyes, which glistened red at the edges. His gaze settled on Anathea’s belly. In a deep and husky voice, he whispered, “I’m sorry. I love you, but I love your mom more.”
He held the recording pen for a long while, playing the heartbeat again and again. A faint smile slowly formed at the corner of his lips.
When he finally put it down, Anathea stirred in her sleep, letting out a soft murmur and stretching her left hand out.
Gregory noticed the bracelet she wore. She’d been wearing it since the first time they met and had rarely taken it off. The clasp had broken from long wear.
He reached out and carefully removed it.
At that moment, a faint scar on her wrist caught his eye. He paused taken aback.
Anathea was awakened by Xander’s voice.
“Mom, time to get ready.” Xander was perched on the edge of the bed, blinking with a cute little smile.
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Anathea smiled and reached out to ruffle his hair. “Okay.”
As she pulled her hand back, she noticed something was off about er bracelet.
“What’s wrong, Mom?” Xander asked.
“Nothing. Let’s get ready and go,” she replied, shaking off the feeling.
“Okay!” Xander finished his breakfast eagerly, slung on his backpack, and took her hand as they headed out.
But when they reached the gate, the bodyguards were still blocking their way.
This time, Xander unleashed his full arsenal of kid tantrums–rolling on the ground, crying loudly, and throwing a full–blown
scene.
The bodyguards simply couldn’t handle it and had no choice but to call Gregory.
Gregory, on his way to Syntherra, answered the phone. “Yes?”
“Mr. Sinclair, Mr. Xander insists Mrs. Sinclair attend his parent–teacher meeting. We’re at our wits‘ end,” Howard explained awkwardly.
“You can’t keep locking her up forever. She’ll go stir–crazy,” Adrian said, sitting beside Gregory. “Don’t worry. I’ve blocked all news about Adam. She won’t find out.”
Gregory considered it for a moment, then said, “Let her go.”
“Understood,” Howard replied and stepped aside.
Anathea took a deep breath. She was finally free to step out of this cage. Now, all that was left was to find the right chance to leave for good. Hope flickered quietly in her heart.
But just as she took a step forward, Howard called out, “Wait, Mrs. Sinclair.”
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