Chapter 1437 Garrett, clad in a crisp white shirt, stood outside the door, the embodiment of a breath of fresh spring air. Such a stark contrast to the man who had once been bound to a wheelchair, he now stood tall with an air of nobility that seemed unparalleled.
Eleanorâs gentle gaze drifted from his serene face down to his legs. Witnessing those once Immobile limbs now standing firm. and moving with steady steps into the delivery room, the guilt that had been gnawing at her heart began to dissipate.
Garrett had finally regained his strength; no longer confined to a wheelchair, he could now live a life as fulfilled as anyone elseâs. Eleanor, who had longed for his recovery, couldnât help but smile with relief. Yet in the presence of Bernard, she restrained herself from looking too long at Garrett, merely nodding slightly in his direction before shifting her gaze away.
Garrettâs eyes, too, dared not linger on Eleanor. âOut of sight, out of mind, as the saying goes. Some missed connections, if they cannot be let go, must be suppressed deep within the heart.
After all, she was now another manâs wife and soon to be a mother. Despite being tormented by a myriad of nightmares, Garrett understood the importance of self-restraint.
Following Sigrid to Haileyâs side, Eleanor stood up to make space, cradling the baby. Bernard, sitting on the couch, caught a glimpse of the two passing by without a backward glance. His eyelids fell, and when he looked up again, his gaze was laced with indifference.
Because Eleanor had come to sit beside him, tugging at his sleeve to show him how adorable the sleeping baby was. At that moment, Eleanor had eyes for nothing but the babies, seemingly unaffected by Garrettâs presence.
Bernard peered into the eyes that reflected his own image and, uncharacteristically, his lips curled into a half-smile as he reached out and gently touched the babyâs tiny mouth.
Feeling the softness of the infant, the icy mask in Bernardâs eyes began to melt away. Eleanorâs soft voice then whispered, âIsnât he cute?â
With a slight arch of his brows, Bernard responded, âUgly cute.â
Eleanor playfully glared at him. âIf you say someone elseâs child is ugly, your own child will turn out the same.â
Bernard scoffed with an air of arrogance. âOur child, ugly? Impossible.â
Their whispers, though soft, were clear as day to Garrett. Eleanorâs current happiness was palpable, even without looking, he could feel it.
Suppressing the turmoil within him, Garrett congratulated Hailey with a smile. âHailey, youâve become a mother. As your brother, I donât know what to say except congratulations.â
Hailey returned the smile graciously. âYour congratulations are more than enough. What more needs to be said? Weâre siblings for life.â
Nodding warmly, Garrettâs gaze fell to the baby girl in Haileyâs arms. âMay I hold her?â
âOf course.â
Hailey handed the baby to Garrett, and as he felt the little bundleâs softness, the emotions heâd kept at bay began to fade. Turning around, Garrett caught a glimpse of Eleanor holding the baby boy. She was looking down, not at him, yet he couldnât help but remember something Eleanor had once said.
She had dreamed aloud, âGarrett, when weâre married, weâll have twins-a boy and a girl. Youâll carry our daughter, and Iâll carry our son. As we grow old, weâll watch them grow up together. How does that sound?â
The baby in his arms stirred, pulling Garrett back from his reverie just in time to avoid Bernardâs cool, distant gaze. He quickly looked away, as if caught in a guilty act.
For a moment, living out that old promise was enough, even if they were each holding someone elseâs child...
Garrett composed himself, held the child a bit longer, asked for the babiesâ names, and after a short chat, he had his people deliver an array of nourishing gifts before he took his leave.
Once Garrett had left, Eleanor glanced at him, a silent question in her eyes. She wondered whether her deliberate distance was right or wrong, given his ongoing battle with severe depression.
As she searched for answers, Sigrid offered one, âGarrettâs legs may have healed, but his depression is still serious. At one point, the pain from his treatment nearly drove him to suicide, but he said...â
To spare Eleanor any guilt, Sigrid cut herself off, adding only, âDonât worry, heâll keep living.â
Eleanor looked at Sigrid for a few seconds before nodding gently, âPlease, help him.â
âItâs no trouble,â Sigrid replied, then looked at Eleanor thoughtfully. âIf I say that after spending time with him, I think Garrett is a good man, would you find that strange?â
A Second Chance At Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)
ï¤Chapter 1436 Impulsive Vow to an Enigmatic Husband (END)
ï¤Chapter 1765 (END)
As Sigrid spoke, Chase McCall, who had come to offer his congratulations, reached the doorway of the delivery room. He heard her words loud and clear.
In that sudden moment, hope escaped from his eyes, leaving them empty.