Byranâs fist clenched so tightly that it creaked. In the end, he couldnât help but punch Ethan hard.
When Chase and Ida arrived at the hospital, Ellinor had already been rushed into the delivery room.
Outside the door, Balfour and his security team stood guard, along with a pale-faced Belinda.
Ida approached Balfour with a serious expression. âMr. Howard, howâs our boss doing?â
Balfourâs forehead was creased, and a facade of calmness was hiding the anxiety gnawing at him.
âShe was rushed into the delivery room after her water broke. Theyâve given her an epidural. All we can do now is wait.â
Idaâs gaze shifted to the delivery room door. âWhat about Mr. Blanchet? Hasnât he returned yet?â
The mention of his unreliable brother-in-law caused Balfourâs frown to deepen. While shaking his head in disappointment, he replied, âCanât reach him.â
Idaâs brows furrowed, and a hint of resentment towards Theo flickered in her eyes.
At such a crucial time, the man couldnât even stay by the bossâs side. What use was he?
Chase, standing nearby, shared their concern. But his attention was not only focused on the delivery room but also on Belinda, who sat huddled in a chair by the door.
They couldnât enter the delivery room and could only wait.
Chase moved towards Belinda, quietly taking a seat beside her.
Noticing the movement next to her, Belinda looked up to see Chase.
Subconsciously, she lowered her head again, hiding her face. Concern for her aunt, the inability to reach her uncle, and the unanswered calls to Collin had all led her to tears.
She must have looked like a mess now.
Chase put his arm around her shoulder and whispered words of comfort. âDonât worry, itâll be alright. My boss is strong, and fortune favors the brave. Both mother and child will be safe.â
His words, though soft, carried a peculiar strength that eased her anxiety.
Belinda didnât look up but sniffled. âBut what if we canât reach my uncle? My aunt must need his support right now. Sheâs all alone in the delivery room. She must be terrified! You donât know how much pain she was in before we got to the hospital. Iâm really worried.â
Chaseâs expression hardened at the mention of Theoâs unavailability.
It was such a critical time, and Theo wasnât there to comfort the boss. Wasnât he supposed to stay by her side?
Anyone would have a bone to pick with him right now.
But it wasnât Belindaâs fault. She did not want this either. If she could, she would drag her uncle here.
Chase gently patted her shoulder, sighed, and reassured her. âMr. Blanchet must have been held up by something. Maybe heâs on his way. Trust me, your aunt is not an ordinary woman. The hardships she faced in her life are no less dangerous than childbirth. Weâve all survived. Now, you should pray and send good wishes for your aunt, not sit here crying, alright?â
Belinda looked up at Chase. She saw his gentle face, soft eyes, and the warm smile that reached his bones.
Gradually, she calmed down and nodded. âYouâre right. I shouldnât cry! Thatâs bad luck! I should pray for my aunt and the baby. And when my uncle finally shows up, I should save my energy to give him a piece of my mind! Heâs ridiculous! What use is a man who canât even be there for the birth of his child?
Hmph! If I were my aunt, Iâd be furious if my man showed up after I gave birth. I wouldnât even want to deal with him anymore!
My uncle was lucky to be forgiven by my aunt, and now, at this critical moment, heâs blown it again!â