CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: LET IT BE BORN

"Vincent Rhodes?" After tidying up the room, Shannon Quinn returned to the living room and softly called his name, thinking he was asleep.

She saw him turn his head to look at her, then lifted his arm.

Initially, Shannon Quinn didn’t understand what his action meant. Seeing him support himself on the couch with one hand, showing a tendency to get up, she hurriedly reacted.

She walked over, bent down to let his arm rest on her shoulder, and quickly brought the wheelchair over, helping him sit in it.

The couch was leather, and the blood stains likely had been wiped clean by Simon Rhodes before he left, so the wheelchair and the floor were spotless.

Shannon pushed the wheelchair, bringing Vincent Rhodes to that room. The room wasn’t too big or too small, yet it felt cramped due to the clutter inside.

The bed was just tidied by Shannon Quinn, and it was fine for a few nights.

"Could you bring me a glass of water?"

Shannon Quinn nodded: "Shall I help you up first?"

"No need, I can manage myself."

Shannon Quinn hesitantly glanced at him twice, thinking perhaps his leg injury wasn’t as severe as she imagined.

Maybe it was just inconvenient for walking, while standing might be manageable.

After fetching water, she returned to find him already lying in bed.

"The water is a bit hot..."

"Just leave it by the bed."

Shannon Quinn did as told, placing the cup down, standing by the bed awkwardly, unsure whether to stay or leave.

"Well... if there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now. You should rest early."

He remained silent, and Shannon Quinn stood for a couple seconds, assuming his silence was consent, but just as she turned around, she heard him softly say, "Isn’t there something you want to tell me?"

Shannon Quinn froze, halted her steps guiltily, slowly turning around, feigning ignorance while asking, "What is it?"

Behind his mask, she couldn’t see his expression or detect any emotion in his voice, which made Shannon Quinn even more uneasy.

After a few moments of silence, he slightly adjusted his position before speaking again: "What did you go to the hospital for today?"

Shannon Quinn’s pupils contracted, she swallowed hard, and her breathing began to stagger.

It seemed he was indeed well aware of her whereabouts...

"...Went for a checkup."

"I don’t like being lied to."

Shannon Quinn took a deep breath, reluctantly changing her words: "...I had an examination."

"What examination?"

Seeing his confident tone, Shannon Quinn knew he probably already knew everything but wanted her to confess herself.

Initially, Shannon Quinn didn’t know how to handle it, but now he’s helping her make the choice.

Since there’s no avoiding it, might as well face it—it was inevitable anyway.

"I... I’m pregnant." After saying this, Shannon Quinn clutched her hand forcefully, and before he spoke, she felt goosebumps all over her body.

No doubt he’d be angry, which man could accept his wife carrying someone else’s child?

"I... I’ll contact the hospital in a couple of days to arrange for the surgery." Her voice faltered uncontrollably, unsure if it was due to fear of him or guilt towards the unborn child.

Before he could respond, she added in a hushed voice, "I’m sorry..."

"Keep it."

Shannon Quinn widened her eyes, lifting her head to look at him—was she hearing things? Did he ask her to keep the child?!

"If you’re pregnant, have the baby. In the future, if anyone asks, just say it’s my child."

Shannon Quinn looked at him in disbelief, her eyes trembled, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

"Don’t mention tonight’s matter to anyone. It’s late, go rest. Turn off the lights and close the door. I’ll call for you in the morning when you can come in."

Upon hearing his instructions, Shannon Quinn slowly came back to her senses, nodding blankly, retreating to the door to turn off the lights and close the door.

Returning to her own room, she lay on the bed, her hand resting on her belly, letting out a long sigh.

Staring at the darkened room, though Vincent Rhodes gave her the best answer, she still felt something stifling her heart.

Perhaps it’s guilt towards Vincent Rhodes.

While she felt curiosity, there was also sympathy for Vincent Rhodes.

She always felt that he bore more than anyone could imagine, perhaps his heart was strong enough to accept everything, yet Shannon Quinn still felt sorry for him.

She expected him to explode, commanding her to abort the child.

As he calmly said the four words, "Keep the child," he likely struggled through an inner turmoil.

Perhaps his experiences made him express emotions differently, but his heart wasn’t that cold.

Setting the alarm for slightly after five, Shannon Quinn only slept two or three hours before waking.

She got up and glanced at the tightly closed door opposite, still doubting if Vincent Rhodes was inside.

Uncertain if he was awake, she remembered his instructions, waiting for his call before going in, curious about the reason, Shannon Quinn dared not take the risk.

She went to the kitchen to prepare two portions of breakfast. Considering his injury and losing so much blood last night, she made his portion much more nutritious than hers.

After finishing up, it was already six-thirty. Shannon Quinn hesitated outside the door for quite a while before mustering the courage to knock.

She thought he might still be asleep, but upon the first knock, she heard a response from inside: "Come in."

Carrying breakfast, she opened the door and entered, looking at him leaning against the headboard, still wearing the mask.

"...I made breakfast. Eat while it’s hot."

Vincent Rhodes glanced over, suddenly felt that his loss of so much blood wasn’t in vain—at least, he got to eat breakfast made by her, and that was enough.

"...If you find it inconvenient, just eat in bed. I’ll go get my small computer desk and bring it over." Without waiting for his response, Shannon Quinn jogged back to her room.

She brought over a folding computer desk, set it up on either side of his legs, and placed breakfast on it.

Eating meant he’d have to remove his mask, and he clearly didn’t want her to see his face. After setting up, Shannon Quinn said, "...call me when you’re done, and I’ll come to clean up."

"Okay."

Seeing she had nothing else to do, Shannon Quinn turned to leave for the door.

Just as she was about to close the room door, she heard him say, "If you’re pregnant, be careful, walk properly, don’t run around."

Her action to close the door paused, she belatedly realized he was likely referring to when she ran to fetch the table earlier.

For some reason, hearing that gave Shannon Quinn a warm feeling inside.

"...If there’s not enough soup, there’s more in the pot." After speaking, she closed the door, sat by the coffee table in the living room, and ate her breakfast.