Chapter 933

Keira took a step closer to him, brushing a leaf lightly against his nose. “Don’t you think I’m right?”

He didn’t reply, simply gazing at her. His deep, dark eyes flickered with unease. “Kiki, I’m scared.”

“Scared of what?” Keira asked with a smile.

Hayden didn’t answer, but she could sense what he was afraid of—he was worried she’d follow in Jace’s footsteps one day. Her words and actions often carried a sense of detachment, a quiet calm that he feared might one day lead her to renounce the world and seek solace in a monastery.

The day before the first frost, her little courtyard, Ethereal Essence, officially opened. Hayden insisted on taking care of the preparations himself. He wouldn’t let Kiera go, citing her current condition as a reason to stay home. But she knew what he was up to—Ron had already told her everything.

Feigning ignorance, she obediently stayed home, letting him handle things as he pleased. Lena even took two days off just to keep her company.

“You don’t seem as busy as usual, Dr. Lane,” Keira noted, sensing something unusual. Lena gave her a sidelong glance and said, “So you finally remembered to care about me?” The saying “You can’t focus on two things at once” wasn’t wrong. Keira had poured all her energy into the courtyard, neglecting everyone else. First, Hayden felt left out, and now Lena was complaining too.

Keira clung to her arm. “I remember now. So tell me, what’s going on?”

“Do you remember Dr. Williams—the one who’s Retta’s aunt? She’s been promoted to Head Doctor,” Lena explained.

“So, did she steal your position?” Keira asked, concerned.

Lena rested her head against Keira’s shoulder. “Not at all. My position as Chief Lane isn’t something just anyone can snatch. But she’s been eager to prove herself, so I gave her the chance.”

Dr. Williams, already a middle-aged woman, still had that kind of fighting spirit. Impressive. “You’ve let go of things, haven’t you?” Keira teased.

“Kind of. Another big reason is that fewer people are having children now. Haven’t you seen the reports about declining birth rates?” Lena sighed. “Give it another ten or twenty years, and I might be out of a job. When that happens, you’ll have to support me.”

“I can support you now if you want,” Keira said with a grin. “But worrying about losing your job seems excessive. People may not want many kids, but it’s not like they’re stopping altogether.”

“Personally, I don’t even want to have kids,” Lena said unexpectedly.

Her gaze turned distant. “I’ve seen what women go through during childbirth. If they’re lucky enough to have a good husband and in-laws, it’s fine. But in selfish or prejudiced families, having a child is like throwing yourself into the fire.”

Keira hadn’t expected her thoughts to run so deep, though it’s something she often saw in videos these days.

“Those cases are rare. Most people still choose love,” Keira said, hoping to lift her spirits. “Who can say? It’s only after you’re pregnant and have the child that people’s true colors come out.” Lena turned her eyes back to Keira. “But don’t let me drag you down. Your Hayden is a good man.”

“You’ll meet a good man too,” Keira teased. “Maybe your uncle?”

“Rea, stop it!” Lena glared at her.

“By the way, will your uncle be at the opening tomorrow? If so, tell Hayden to invite him,” Keira said, suddenly remembering.

Lena laughed. “You don’t need to worry. Everyone who should be there will be there.”

She was right. Tomorrow wasn’t just the opening of Keira’s courtyard; it was the day Hayden planned to marry her. Of course, everyone important would show up. Though he and everyone else had tried to keep it a secret from her, she’d already figured it out. Still, she didn’t let on. If he wanted to surprise her, she was happy to play along.