Chapter 64

People would only give up after being repeatedly disappointed. However, Kelly didn’t feel that sad. Not until she saw Leon standing by the roadside did she truly feel at peace. He was leaning against his car, looking at her warmly, as if she were some movie star. It didn’t matter. She knew she had the biggest place in Leon’s heart.

She walked toward him, light on her feet. “Leon, I want a skateboard,” she requested.

Leon didn’t even ask why she suddenly wanted one. He just nodded. “Okay,” he replied.

Kelly beamed. She also had someone who would give her whatever she asked for. Kelly had only said it on impulse, not expecting Leon to actually take her to get a skateboard. But as soon as they got in the car, he drove them straight to a skate shop.

When the car stopped outside the shop, Kelly hesitated. “I mean, I was just saying it for fun. I’m pregnant. I can’t even use it,” she said, tugging at Leon’s sleeve.

“It’s fine. You can’t ride it now, but you can later. And if you don’t want it, we’ll give it to the baby. Worst case, I’ll get on it myself, even if I break a hip,” Leon said, taking her delicate hand in his.

Kelly burst out laughing. He was clearly still thinking about the whole incident of her calling him “Mr. Butler.” As he held her hand, she couldn’t stop smiling. He was getting very used to holding her hand.

Soon, the two of them left the shop with a skateboard cooler than Jackson’s. It even had flashing wheels. Kelly felt completely satisfied, the heavy cloud over her heart finally lifting.

When they got back and packed the car, she clutched the skateboard in her arms and watched as Leon unloaded bags from the trunk. Kelly suddenly found the courage to speak up. “Thank you.”

Leon hadn’t expected the sudden gratitude. He looked at her, a bit caught off guard. Then, she continued mischievously, “Mr. Butler.” With that, she took off running like she was afraid of getting punished.

Leon stood there holding the bags with a smile tugging at his lips. Kelly was getting bolder by the day.

That night, Kelly had a dream: she was calling him Mr. Butler, but this time, Leon pinned her down on the bed in an instant. His face hovered just inches from hers, and her heart pounded like crazy. His eyes were dark, intense, and locked on hers. “Don’t ever call me that again,” he said.

Kelly stammered, “Then what should I call you?”

“Honey.”

She jolted awake, gasping, her cheeks still burning from the dream, but something didn’t feel right. It felt wet. A wave of dread rolled through her chest. She carefully reached down and touched her pants. In the dim light, she saw the red smeared across her fingers. Panic gripped her. Her voice came out hushed as she called, “Leon.”

There was no response, so she called louder, “Leon!” The door flew open the next second, and Leon appeared in the doorway. Kelly never called him in the middle of the night unless something was really wrong. So he didn’t even bother knocking.

Sitting up in bed, her eyes teary as she spoke, her lips quivering, she said, “I’m bleeding down there.”

Chapter 65

Leon’s eyes widened, and he rushed toward Kelly. He lifted the blanket and saw the bloodstained fabric right away. Without wasting a second, he pulled a jacket from the closet before wrapping it around her shoulders. He quickly stuffed a few essential clothes into a bag, then lifted her into his arms without hesitating.

Leon could feel her body trembling, so he said gently, “It’s okay. We’ll go to the hospital and get it checked.”

Kelly knew he was just trying to comfort her, and she calmed down. He grabbed her bag and phone, then carried her straight to the car before setting her in the passenger seat and buckling her in. “Are you still bleeding?” he asked.

Kelly shook her head. Leon glanced at her pale face and gently patted her head. “Don’t overthink it,” he said. But Kelly couldn’t stop herself; she was a med student herself, so she knew full well that bleeding during the second month of pregnancy was a bad sign.

Still, under Leon’s calming presence, she gave a small nod. As he started the car, Leon also began dialing a number; Kelly saw Julian’s name on the screen of the phone. “It’s late. Don’t disturb him,” Kelly said softly.

The car sped down the road, the hum of the tires merging with Leon’s voice. “You don’t have to worry about that. We’re close enough to call each other in the middle of the night. He’s woken me up plenty of times, too. That’s what friends are for,” he said.

Right after he said it, the line connected, and Julian answered promptly, “What’s up, Leon?”

“My wife’s bleeding. We’re heading to your hospital now, and we should be there in about fifteen minutes.”

There was a stifling sound, and Julian took on a sharper tone. “Got it. Drive safe.” Their exchange was quick and efficient.

When they arrived, Kelly was surprised to see Julian already outside. When Leon opened the car door and lifted her out, he approached quickly. “Is she still bleeding?” Julian asked.

“No,” Leon said as he strode toward the hospital entrance with Kelly still in his arms. “Come with me. I’ve already alerted the OB-GYN team,” Julian said.

The two men moved fast, their tall figures casting long shadows under the hospital lights. The hospital wasn’t quiet at this hour, but the emergency department wasn’t too crowded.

Inside the exam room, the cold ultrasound probe moved slowly across Kelly’s belly. The air felt heavy with tension. Julian waited at the door.

After a while, the doctor handed Kelly some tissues. “Here.” Just as she reached out, Leon beat her to it, taking the tissues and gently cleaning the gel off her stomach. “I can do it,” she said awkwardly.

“Don’t move,” Leon said firmly, leaving no room for argument. He wiped her belly quickly and carefully, making Kelly feel embarrassed. Afterward, he adjusted her clothes and turned to the doctor.

The doctor glanced at the screen. “There are signs of threatened miscarriage.” Kelly’s lip dropped, and her cheeks reddened. Then a warm hand landed gently on hers, fingers closing around her own.

Leon didn’t look at her, but he was paying full attention to her condition. She looked at him, overwhelmed with relief. “But based on the results, it’s not severe. I’ll prescribe some oral meds. Make sure she rests, reduces physical activity, and comes back for a follow-up next week,” the doctor said.

Kelly let out a long, shaky breath. She had prepared herself for the worst. Thankfully, it didn’t come to that.

Leon remained calm. “We stay overnight? Just in case something happens again.”

“I was about to suggest that it’s best to keep her under observation for a day and monitor how things go,” the doctor suggested.

Kelly couldn’t help but ask, “Why would I suddenly start bleeding like that?”

“It can be due to embryonic development issues, genetic factors from the parents, or an accidental bump,” the doctor explained.

Kelly suddenly remembered the little shove she got at the grocery store. Leon also thought of it, and their eyes met.