Chapter 1459 Eleanorâs tentative questioning made Bernard bow his head. âIn that case,â he said, his voice heavy with concern, âyour chances of survival are only 10%. If we operate now, it might go up to 30%â
Bernard reached out with his other hand to gently trace the features of Eleanorâs face, her eyebrows, her eyes, her contours. âEleanor,â he implored, âI canât bear the thought of losing you again. Forget about the baby for now. Please, just focus on staying alive, okay?â
Upon hearing the dire statistics, Eleanor felt as if she had plunged into a frigid abyss. The thought that both she and her unborn child might die left her heart wrenching with sorrow. She had faced death before and no longer feared it, but Bernard...
Lifting her tear-filled eyes to Bernard whose face had paled with concern, she whispered, âIt doesnât matter if I die, but I just canât bear to leave you behind.â
The thought of leaving Bernard brought tears streaming down her cheeks, spilling like pearls from a severed string. Each warm tear that landed on Bernardâs hand was like a knife to his throat, each one tightening the grip of pain and sorrow.
Bernard, swallowing the razor-sharp anguish, grasped Eleanorâs hand and placed it over his heart. Then, with a voice full of resolve and authority, he declared, âI wonât let you die.â
Without his permission, not even the grim reaper could take her away. And if death dared to snatch her, Bernard would follow it into the depths of hell itself, becoming a vengeful spirit to slay all the reapers.
Eleanor, looking into his bloodshot eyes, attempted a bitter smile. âIâve already had a heart transplant, and now with this high-risk pregnancy and my clotting disorder... the odds arenât good. So...â
She gently pushed Bernardâs hand away, placing it on her swollen belly as if making a resolute decision. Looking squarely at him, she said, âSince Iâm likely to die no matter what, Iâd rather the baby live.â
Every mother wants the best for her child. Hiding the sadness in her eyes, Eleanor pleaded, âPlease, let me carry this baby to term. That way, even if Iâm gone, you wonât be alone-youâll have our child.â
Bernard felt a chill at Eleanorâs choice, his body turning cold and rigid. Glaring at her, now only concerned for the child, he gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. âÃleanor, listen to me. I donât care about the baby. I care about you. If you choose the baby over yourself, then Iâll die with you.â
Her eyes reddened anew at his words. âBernard, why are you so foolish? Without me, youâll still have our baby. Itâs the same thing.â
âItâs not the same!â Bernardâs voice, usually cool and composed, erupted in a near roar.
1/2 Chapter 1459 âWithout you, nothing else matters!â
Bernard rarely lost his temper with her, but now, for the first time, Eleanor felt truly frightened. She stared at him through misty eyes, too afraid to speak further.
Seeing fear in her eyes, Bernard quickly reined in his anger, pleading desperately, âEleanor, Iâm begging you-donât make this choice. I truly canât bear to lose you.â
He was earnestly begging her, his eyes filled with unspeakable pain, conveying the sheer torment of his soul at the thought of life without her.
Torn, Eleanor lowered her head to gaze at her pregnant belly. Inside, her baby squirmed-a vivid, vibrant life. How could she possibly let go?
âEleanor.â Bernard, holding her wrist with one hand and bracing himself on the hospital bed with the other, knelt down before her without a momentâs hesitation, his knees hitting the floor with a thud, âPlease.â.
As he knelt and uttered those words, Eleanorâs heart clenched. She was well aware of Bernardâs pronounced pride. Yet here he was, who shone like the stars, kneeling before her in supplication.
Seeing Bernard in such a humbled state, Eleanorâs heart ached. She tried to free herself from his grip to help him up, but he wouldnât rise. He just sat there, silent, gazing at her with eyes full of despair.
As if he would kneel forever if she didnât relent, he gambled on her compassion, her love for him. And it paid off. Eleanor, taking his face in her hands and looking into his exquisite features, relented, âNo matter what, we have to try to save the baby.â
Even though the chances were slim for the baby to survive given her condition, they would try everything. They would seek the best doctors, exhaust every option. If there was even a 30% chance, to Eleanor, it was worth everything.
Eleanorâs compromise was Bernardâs salvation. The tension in his body released, and even though a C-section carried its risks, it offered a better chance than 10%. As long as there was hope, he would do anything and everything to protect her.
A Second Chance At Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)
ï¤Chapter 1458 Impulsive Vow to an Enigmatic Husband (END)
ï¤Chapter 1765 (END)