Chapter 40
âGrandpa, Elgin responded, âWhat brings you here?â
He tucked Letitia close into his embrace, pulling up the blanket a bit, âSheâs still asleepâ¦â
âI know,â Hawley nodded in understanding, âYou mustâve worn her out. Let her rest, itâs all good.â
When Letitia woke up, she saw Elginâs chest up close, and spaced out for a good few seconds, âWhatâsâ¦â
âNothing,â his voice was soft, âItâs okay. Keep sleeping.â
*Alright, I was just passing by, thought Iâd check in. I wonât disturb you two.â
Letitia blinked, glanced toward the door, and it finally hit her, âOh, Mr. Hawley, youâre here.â
âDonât bother get up. Hawley said while turning to leave, throwing in one last comment, âElgin, keep up the good work,
eh.â
Letitia was completely befuddled, it took her ages to snap back to reality.
Looks like Hawley came for a surprise check-in, and she slept through it.
âDummy, be sharper next time, Elgin pushed her away, âIf grandpa smells something fishy, you know whatâs coming for youâ
He rolled out of bed, broad shoulders and narrow waist, leisurely buttoning up his shirt.
His body quite the tease, but Letitia wasnât in the mood to appreciate it.
She watched his back, saying, âSince the old man is so keen on having a kid, you could just have one with Shela. Start trying now, and by the time you remarry, sheâll likely be pregnant.â
Elgin paused buttoning his shirt, his expression not looking too hot, âShut up.â
âIâm just spitting facts. After all, you like her, and sheâs definitely on board.
âIâm not gonna sleep with her.â Elgin said, âIâll wait till she has a legit title, then weâll talk.â
Yet Letitia chuckled lightly, âIs it because⦠youâve got some problem?â
Elgin turned around slowly, his gaze icy, âWhat did you say?â
No man can stand to have that questioned!
âYeah,â Letitia boldly continued, âYou never touch me, you donât wanna touch Shela. No man wants to live like a monk. I canât think of any other reason.â
Elginâs hand found her throat.
âStop trying, Iâm not laying a finger on you.â His thin lips grazed her cheek, âDonât tick me off, itâs not in your best interest!â Letitia couldnât be happier if he kept his hands to himself.
âSo, youâre planning to keep tricking your grandpa?â
âFor now.â Elgin narrowed his eyes, âGet up, weâre going to the hospital.â
Letitia got nervous, âThe hospital?â
âTo draw your blood.â Elgin said, âMark needs more blood, and you need to keep donating until heâs well.â
Letitia refused without hesitation, âI wonât go!â
The nurse drew so much blood yesterday; itâs already taxing on her body, and if they continue today⦠What about her baby!
Elgin was even more adamant, âYouâre going, like it or not.â
âThey can get blood from the blood bank at the hospital, Shela can donate!â
âYour life is cheap, itâs fair game for drawing blood.â
Letitia gritted her teeth, âI wonât go.â
âGo willingly, or Iâll drag you there. Your choice.â
Elgin stood tall, looming over her, straightening his tie.
For her childâs sake, Letitia had to resist this time, no matter what.
âI wonâtâ¦â
âMr. Ramirez!â The butler suddenly knocked hard on the door, âJust got a call from the hospital!â
âCome in! What happened there? Something wrong?â
The butler replied, âItâs from the hospital where Mrs Ramirezâs mother is!â
Letitia gasped, fixing her gaze on the butler, âWhat happened to my mom?
She dashed off the bed, clutching the butlerâs hand tightly, eyes filled with panic.
Ever since Elgin took Malinda from the hospital, she hadnât heard from her mother.
âMrs. Ramirez, itâs good news. The butler smiled. The hospital called to say Mrs. Sanders is awake!
Letitia could hardly believe her ears. Her mother woke up? A vegetative patient⦠woke up! What a rare medical miracle! Letitia finally heard some good news.
Through all the hardship and pain, she never cried, but now she was so happy she was both crying and laughing. Thatâs great, thatâs great, my mother, finallyâ¦
Tears streamed down, but they were tears of joy.
Letitia turned around, âElgin, may I visit my mother?â
Afraid he wouldnât agree, she quickly promised, âI just want to see her, thatâs all! She must miss me terribly.â
âSure.â
Her eyes lit up, âReally?â
But something felt off, Elgin couldnât possibly agree so easily. He must have a catch.
âOf course, for real.â Elgin replied, âGet your blood drawn, then you can go see your mom.â
As expected!
Letitia guessed right! At the end of the day, they still wanted her blood!
Elgin, hand casually in his trouser pocket, looked relaxed, âSince youâre getting blood drawn anyway, play along and you get to see your mom.â
Letitiaâs nails dug deep into her palm.
On one hand, itâs her child, on the other, itâs her mother. Both are important to her.
This decision⦠was excruciating.
âYouâve got five minutes to decideâ Elgin walked past her, âThis is your only shot.â
His shirt brushed against the hem of her clothes.
Elgin always meant what he said. Hesitate further, and sheâd lose the chance to choose
Letitia turned and swiftly grabbed his sleeve, âElginâ¦â
He stopped, raising an eyebrow, âHmm?â
Iâve made up my mind. Letitia spoke with difficulty. âI want to see my mother.â
Then go and get your blood drawnâ
Chapter 40
âOkayâ
The butler interjected, âMr. Ramirez, she canât draw blood two days in a rowâ¦â
âShut it!â
Even the butler knew this common sense, yet Elgin didnât care about her wellbeing.
Letitia stood alone at the doorway of the master bedroom, looking down at her flat belly.
âBaby, Iâm sorry.â She murmured to herself, âI have no choice, I have a mom too, I miss her so much, I need to see herâ¦. Baby, mommyâs taking you to meet your grandma. Please hold on, donât leave mommy. Sorry, Iâm so sorry, Iâll take good care of you from now on, keep you safe Stay put in me, okay?â
Letitia had no other choice, she just hoped her child would be strong enough to survive.
Heading downstairs to the dining room, Letitia discovered the butler had gone out of his way to have the kitchen whip up some blood-boosting diet just for her.
She shot the butler a grateful glance.
During this time, heâd been lending her a hand both openly and on the down low, turning out to be the only one in Ivory Towers who genuinely had her back.
As for rest of the staff? They were more or less looking down their noses at her, with a hint of scorn in their eyes.
Letitia chowed down with determination. She couldnât afford to fall ill; otherwise, the little baby she was carrying would be in real jeopardy.