The pleasant odor of tea fills the living room. Leilani sits on the luxurious jacquard couch and Charles kneels in front of her to take her pulse. It is as silent as a grave.
Leilani’s hand rests on a white napkin with her wrist facing upwards. The delicate blue veins stick out against her fair skin. Charles gently places his hand on her wrist and closes his eyes to listen carefully.
Everyone stares at them, scared to breathe too loudly. Mr. Bamford squints and sips his tea. He has the utmost confidence in Charles: he knows that the young doctor can treat conditions that other doctors can’t name and soothe symptoms that others can’t recognize.
Mrs. Bamford and Leonie watch with bated breath, hoping that Charles will proclaim Leilani barren. They are delighted when Charles frowns.
Mr. Bamford purses his lips upon seeing Charles’ face, “What is it?”
“I don’t think Mrs. Bamford has the constitution for a pregnancy,” Charles says.
“I hope you can prescribe a solution,” Francis Bamford says.
Waylen strides across the room and grabs Leilani’s hands, pulling her behind him. He hates seeing this man touch her, even if it’s just to take her pulse.
“She needs to take some supplements or else she won’t be able to handle a pregnancy,” Charles says to Francis.
“How long will it take for them to work?”
“At least three months. It could take up to six easily.”
“Waylen approaches Charles and grabs him by his collar, “Is she really medically unfit for pregnancy or do you oppose it personally?”
“I understand that you care for Mrs. Bamford. But it’s not up to me whether she gets pregnant or not,” Charles says calmly.
Charles raises his hands to indicate that he doesn’t want to get involved in a fight.
“Get off of him!” Mr. Bamford slams his teacup onto the table, “What’s wrong with you, Waylen? Why are you so emotional? Charles is only giving an honest medical opinion. I want a word with you in the study.”
Waylen lets go of Charles but gives him a warning look. Reluctantly, he follows his grandfather into the study.
“I’ll go get my husband’s blood pressure drugs,” Mrs. Bamford announces, “This stress can’t be good for him.”
Mrs. Bamford leaves to get the medicine and eavesdrop on her husband and grandson in the study. Leonie catches her meaning and hurries to stand up, “I’ll get some water.”
Leilani and Charles are soon left in the living room alone with the servants.
“Am I putting you in a difficult position by showing up like this?” Charles asks.
Leilani helps herself to a sliced apple and passes the serving fork to Charles.
“It’s alright,” she said lightly, “If you didn’t come, I never would have this big show.”
“It’s a pity that I didn’t get to eat the pasta you made, but thinking about next time gives me hope. “
“Pasta gives you hope?” she asks.
“It’s not pasta that gives me hope but y—”
Charles is interrupted by a loud crash. It sounds like China is being broken in the first-floor study. Leilani whirls around upon hearing the noise. She knows that Mr. Bamford is as grumpy in private as he is polite in public.
“It will be alright,” she says, half to herself, “Most carnivores aren’t wicked enough to destroy their own.”
The sound of something breaking echoes from the study again. Inside, the study is strewn with broken ornaments and baubles.
Mr. Bamford slaps his desk emphatically, “The Bamford can’t live without an heir. I hope you haven’t forgotten our agreement—if she’s not pregnant in the next six months, you have to divorce her.”
“What if I don’t?” Waylen challenges.
“Oh?” Francis Bamford laughs sharply, “Do you think you have a choice?”
“I’ll live up to my promise after she gets pregnant,” he adds, “Even if you don’t like her, you have to make her bear your children. If she doesn’t, then I’ll have to pick another wife for you.”
Waylen grabs the phone—the last object left on the desk—and slams it to the ground, “I hope you mean what you say. You better follow through with your promise if I get her pregnant in the next six months.”
He stalks out of the room and slams the door. Blind with rage, he bumps into Mrs. Bamford who is hovering outside the door with medicine and water.
“Waylen, why are you so upset?” she asks, “Please have some water to calm down.”
Waylen ignores her and walks toward the living room, leaving her to ponder what she’s just overheard. It seems that Francis has promised Waylen something important to persuade him to make a baby.
“Where did Leilani and that guy go?” he asks a maid.
“Mrs. Bamford and Dr. Meyer?”
Waylen nods and the maid points at the door, “Dr. Meyer said he had an urgent call and Mrs. Bamford went to see him off.”
Leilani and Charles walk through the garden, past the fountain, and to the gate. There are few people at the gate, and Leilani finally has the privacy to properly talk to Charles.
“Charles, what you said earlier in the house about me being unfit for pregnancy, is that true?”
“No,” Charles stops and looks at her, “It’s a lie. But you really shouldn’t consider pregnancy now. It would be too dangerous while there’s still so much of the toxin in your system.”
Leilani shakes her head, “I don’t want to consider it.”
Relieved, Charles hands her a bottle of pills, “They’re contraceptives.”
Leilani quickly pockets the bottle, “Pasta next time?”
“Sure,” Charles smiles, “Go inside now. It’s windy.”
A chilly wind blows across the grounds. Charles wants to take off his coat and wrap it around her, but he can’t do something so bold at Waylen Bamford’s house. Instead, he has to bid her goodbye.
Leilani feels a bit chilled so she nods and wishes Charles a good night. For a moment she watches him walk away, and then she turns and walks back to the house. As she walks, she passes an ornate fountain. The fountain features a ring of angel statues playing harps, and water trickles and splashes off of their wings. Lost in thought, Leilani doesn’t notice that the water splashes on her clothes.
She wonders if Waylen and his grandfather are discussing pregnancy. She knows that Francis wants heirs, but it’s unclear what Waylen wants. All she knows is that she can’t get pregnant no matter what. If Waylen and his grandfather have an agreement, she just needs to make it another six months. Then she can finally get her divorce.
She’s so lost in thought, she doesn’t notice a dark figure coming to meet her.
Leonie emerges from the darkness and blocks Leilani’s path back to the house. Leilani frowns slightly, wondering what Leonie is up to.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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