Chapter 40
“Grandpa, Elgin responded, “What brings you here?”
He tucked Letitia close into his embrace, pulling up the blanket a bit, “She’s still asleep…”
“I know,” Hawley nodded in understanding, “You must’ve worn her out. Let her rest, it’s all good.”
When Letitia woke up, she saw Elgin’s chest up close, and spaced out for a good few seconds, “What’s…”
“Nothing,” his voice was soft, “It’s okay. Keep sleeping.”
*Alright, I was just passing by, thought I’d check in. I won’t disturb you two.”
Letitia blinked, glanced toward the door, and it finally hit her, “Oh, Mr. Hawley, you’re here.”
“Don’t bother get up. Hawley said while turning to leave, throwing in one last comment, “Elgin, keep up the good work,
eh.”
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.
“Dummy, be sharper next time, Elgin pushed her away, “If grandpa smells something fishy, you know what’s coming for you”
He rolled out of bed, broad shoulders and narrow waist, leisurely buttoning up his shirt.
His body quite the tease, but Letitia wasn’t in the mood to appreciate it.
She watched his back, saying, “Since 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, she’ll likely be pregnant.”
Elgin paused buttoning his shirt, his expression not looking too hot, “Shut up.”
“I’m just spitting facts. After all, you like her, and she’s definitely on board.
“I’m not gonna sleep with her.” Elgin said, “I’ll wait till she has a legit title, then we’ll talk.”
Yet Letitia chuckled lightly, “Is it because… you’ve got some problem?”
Elgin turned around slowly, his gaze icy, “What did you say?”
No man can stand to have that questioned!
“Yeah,” Letitia boldly continued, “You never touch me, you don’t wanna touch Shela. No man wants to live like a monk. I can’t think of any other reason.”
Elgin’s hand found her throat.
“Stop trying, I’m not laying a finger on you.” His thin lips grazed her cheek, “Don’t tick me off, it’s not in your best interest!” Letitia couldn’t be happier if he kept his hands to himself.
“So, you’re planning to keep tricking your grandpa?”
“For now.” Elgin narrowed his eyes, “Get up, we’re going to the hospital.”
Letitia got nervous, “The hospital?”
“To draw your blood.” Elgin said, “Mark needs more blood, and you need to keep donating until he’s well.”
Letitia refused without hesitation, “I won’t go!”
The nurse drew so much blood yesterday; it’s already taxing on her body, and if they continue today… What about her baby!
Elgin was even more adamant, “You’re going, like it or not.”
“They can get blood from the blood bank at the hospital, Shela can donate!”
“Your life is cheap, it’s fair game for drawing blood.”
Letitia gritted her teeth, “I won’t go.”
“Go willingly, or I’ll drag you there. Your choice.”
Elgin stood tall, looming over her, straightening his tie.
For her child’s sake, Letitia had to resist this time, no matter what.
“I won’t…”
“Mr. Ramirez!” The butler suddenly knocked hard on the door, “Just got a call from the hospital!”
“Come in! What happened there? Something wrong?”
The butler replied, “It’s from the hospital where Mrs Ramirez’s mother is!”
Letitia gasped, fixing her gaze on the butler, “What happened to my mom?
She dashed off the bed, clutching the butler’s hand tightly, eyes filled with panic.
Ever since Elgin took Malinda from the hospital, she hadn’t heard from her mother.
“Mrs. Ramirez, it’s 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. That’s great, that’s great, my mother, finally…
Tears streamed down, but they were tears of joy.
Letitia turned around, “Elgin, may I visit my mother?”
Afraid he wouldn’t agree, she quickly promised, “I just want to see her, that’s all! She must miss me terribly.”
“Sure.”
Her eyes lit up, “Really?”
But something felt off, Elgin couldn’t possibly agree so easily. He must have a catch.
“Of course, for real.” Elgin replied, “Get your blood drawn, then you can go see your mom.”
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, “Since you’re getting blood drawn anyway, play along and you get to see your mom.”
Letitia’s nails dug deep into her palm.
On one hand, it’s her child, on the other, it’s her mother. Both are important to her.
This decision… was excruciating.
“You’ve got five minutes to decide” Elgin walked past her, “This is your only shot.”
His shirt brushed against the hem of her clothes.
Elgin always meant what he said. Hesitate further, and she’d lose the chance to choose
Letitia turned and swiftly grabbed his sleeve, “Elgin…”
He stopped, raising an eyebrow, “Hmm?”
I’ve made up my mind. Letitia spoke with difficulty. “I want to see my mother.”
Then go and get your blood drawn”
Chapter 40
“Okay”
The butler interjected, “Mr. Ramirez, she can’t draw blood two days in a row…”
“Shut it!”
Even the butler knew this common sense, yet Elgin didn’t care about her wellbeing.
Letitia stood alone at the doorway of the master bedroom, looking down at her flat belly.
“Baby, I’m sorry.” She murmured to herself, “I have no choice, I have a mom too, I miss her so much, I need to see her…. Baby, mommy’s taking you to meet your grandma. Please hold on, don’t leave mommy. Sorry, I’m so sorry, I’ll take good care of you from now on, keep you safe Stay put in me, okay?”
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, he’d 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 couldn’t afford to fall ill; otherwise, the little baby she was carrying would be in real jeopardy.
