Richard's POV"I understand. I'll try to keep my emotions stable," Nikkie said. She didn't sound as excited as before. I felt something was wrong, but I didn't know what it was. Nikkie finally fell asleep a while later. I took this time to eat, then went back to check on her. Nikkie was sleeping restlessly. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her breathing was rapid, and her forehead was sweaty. I touched her forehead, which was still as hot as before. It was almost 11 pm, and Nikkie still had a fever.I continued to compress Nikkie for an hour. Nikkie occasionally moaned in her sleep, making me unable to bear it. I suddenly remembered an unusual way to reduce fever. I had practiced this on Krystal when she had a fever a few years ago, and it had successfully lowered her fever.I hesitated for a while before deciding to do it. It seemed okay; Nikkie wouldn't know. I slowly brought my face closer to Nikkie's by suppressing my guilty conscience. From 5 centimeters away, I could feel the hea
Nikkie's POV"I managed to persuade Krystal. But you can only use your cell phone for two hours a day," Richard said, waving his hand holding my cell phone.My eyes rounded in delight, instantly forgetting the shirt in my hand. "Really? I want to call my mom!" I squealed happily. Richard stepped inside while chuckling softly. "I expected you to say that," he said as he passed the phone into my hand. I hurriedly turned on my phone, checking that the battery percentage was still enough for a 2-hour video call.My hand was already moving to press the video call icon, but I decided against it. I glanced at Richard, sitting on the edge of the bed with a hesitant look."Can I make a video call?" I asked timidly."Of course. But I don't want to take any risk, so I'll stay here and listen to your conversation," Richard said, making me sigh with relief.Richard suggested I make the video call at my desk, with the wall in the background. I agreed. After all, it was better to minimize the poss
Richard's POV"Wait here, I'll be right back." It wasn't Krystal's voice. My eyes felt heavy to open. I chose not to think much and waited until I felt someone ask me to sit reclined on the headboard.It took me a few minutes to take in my surroundings and recognize the figure sitting on my side of the bed. It was Nikkie. Oh, right. Krystal said she had an important meeting at her family mansion this morning. A meeting that no one outside of Krystal's immediate family was allowed to attend. Including me. "I've asked Blake to prepare some porridge for your breakfast," Nikkie said as she picked up the bowl of porridge. I wasn't used to eating porridge when I was sick, but seeing the tense expression on Nikkie's face made me choose to give in."Have you recovered? What about your morning sickness? Sorry, I didn't wake up this morning ...."Nikkie didn't react, her expression flat. She handed me an aspirin and remained seated in the chair, staring around the room. It was apparent that sh
Nikkie's POV"I'm just calming Nikkie down. Gently rubbing her stomach has a good effect on helping to calm Nikkie's nausea symptoms," Richard explained calmly.My guilty conscience made me unable to see Krystal. Even so, I tried to remain calm. Cold sweat had been beading down my back since Krystal had thrown her expensive bag carelessly. She didn't even care if her expensive makeup stuff scattered on the floor and broke. Her focus was still on us. Richard got up to calm Krystal down. He told me to go to my room. I entered my room with mixed feelings. All kinds of bad images flashed uncontrollably, even though I tried to keep myself occupied by walking around the room. I moved on to making the bed.What if Krystal gets suspicious and finds out? I'm sure I won't be able to bear the consequences. Who will help me then? Richard?I shook my head hard. Richard loved Krystal very much. He even dared to do something reckless to prove his love for Krystal. I began to realize that I could on
Krystal's POV"Gently rubbing her stomach has a good effect on helping to calm Nikkie's nausea symptoms." Richard looked calm as he explained that, but I didn't."Let's go back to the room," Richard added after sending Nikkie back to her room. I let out a long sigh, stepping into the room first with no regard for the contents of my bag scattered on the floor. Who could still care about the contents of a bag when faced with the pressure to have a successor? Was it my fault that my uterus was weak and unable to conceive?"Damn it!" I cursed as I started throwing things within my reach. The bed lamp, the entire contents of my dressing table. I stopped when I was about to pull the bed cover off. Richard stopped me by hugging me tightly."It's okay. Everything will be fine," Richard said repeatedly. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.Only Richard could calm my anger. He always knew what to do. He accepted me and tolerated me. Unlike my extended family, who always tried to
Richard's POV"You don't have to do this, Miss Nikkie. And don't argue anymore that there are different levels and classes between us." Sharon's voice as soon as the door opened made me frown in surprise."I'll go up first. I'm so tired. It's been a good night, Richard." Krystal pecked my cheek, snapping me out of my thoughts. I smiled and nodded to Krystal. The sounds of conversation were still coming from the direction of the kitchen, making me curious. I stepped slowly into the kitchen and found Nikkie being scolded by Sharon. Meanwhile, Blake was taking a glass from the plate rack."You've helped enough by finishing the salad on your plate. No need to help me with this pile of dirty dishes. You should take care of your womb, take care of the nutrition for the baby, considering you also have morning sickness."I paused in the dining room doorway, taking note of the heated interaction. Sharon was scolding Nikkie for trying to help with the dishes.Didn't she know that she didn't h
Nikkie's POV"What do they mean by tiers and classes? Moreover, among them?"I watched Richard's figure, who was wondering to himself. He pulled out his suitcase and left the house.The lonely figure behind Richard's back, who left without being released by anyone, somehow made me sad. I stroked my stomach softly, remembering Richard whispering to the baby in my stomach. I woke up just as Richard was telling the fetus in my stomach. I chose to pretend to sleep, waiting for him to leave. I didn't expect he would kiss my forehead before leaving the room. One action that successfully made my defenses start to waver. I shook my head hard. I can't waver. I have to hold on and know myself until this child is born. I stumbled into my room and stood in front of the toilet door. Waiting for the seconds of morning sickness to make me vomit something again.The nausea that I had been enduring since Richard came out of the room was finally unbearable. It's a good thing I didn't throw up in front
Richard's POV"Hello, have you seen Nikkie? She's not in the lobby; what if she..." I didn't dare to continue my sentence. Afraid to imagine if my words came true.I heard Aaron's deep breath from the other side of the line. I had told Aaron earlier that I couldn't find Nikkie. Aaron said that he would search around the floor where he work. I called again, expecting good news, but Aaron hadn't found Nikkie. My eyes were wide, looking around, hoping to find Nikkie. If I still couldn't find her, I intended to check the hospital's CCTV. Suddenly, I saw a glimpse of a woman about 160 cm tall with black hair down her back standing stunned near the cashier. The woman's haircut was similar to Nikkie's after a haircut at the salon last time. Wait, isn't that Nikkie? I need to make sure quickly! "Looks like I've found Nikkie." I hung up the phone with Aaron and rushed over to the figure."Nikkie!" I called out to confirm. The figure of the woman with shoulder-length hair turned to me. Tha