Chapter 478: Something’s Wrong

Whitney held Wallace’s gaze for a long moment before releasing his hand. In a soft voice, she murmured, “Thank you.”

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Was it just me, or was the air between them a bit too tense? I hurried to her side, my steps quick. “Let me help you to the bathroom. I don’t want you fainting again.”

She nodded, leaning on my arm for support as we walked slowly, step by careful step. Whitney was still weak, her head swimming. I helped her back into bed.

At that moment, the servant brought breakfast. I turned to Wallace with a polite smile. “Dr. Mervin, you must be tired. Please eat something and rest in the guest room afterward.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Bolton,” he replied. “Here’s the prescription for Ms. Sander. You can have the medicine prepared according to it, but she should wait until her cold is gone before starting the herbs.”

“Understood.”

I sat beside Whitney, feeding her spoonful by spoonful. She ate without protest, each bite taken as I offered it. I gently wiped her lips with a napkin and touched her forehead. “You’re still running a slight fever. Rest for now. We’ll need to give you another IV this afternoon.”

Whitney nodded and shot Wallace a quick glance. “Thank you, Dr. Mervin.”

Wallace set his bowl down and wiped his lips. “It’s nothing, really.”

With Whitney’s condition stabilizing, I felt a sense of relief. She took her medicine, and sleep quickly overtook her. Wallace rose to leave. “Ms. Sander, take a rest. I’ll be at the Bolton Residence for the next couple of days. If anything comes up, don’t hesitate to call.”

“Okay.”

Whitney watched him leave, her eyes lingering as if she had something to say but then held it back.

“What is it?” I asked curiously.

She shifted her gaze away from Wallace and gave me a faint smile. “Nothing.”

When she closed her eyes, I quietly shut the door behind me.

I led Wallace to the guest room and casually asked, “Dr. Mervin, since you’re familiar with holistic medicine, would you mind checking my pulse too?”

Since he was someone Carter trusted, I felt completely comfortable asking. I hadn’t eaten properly in days, and I was worried about the baby.

Chapter 478: Something’s Wrong

“Of course,” he said.

We sat at the stone table in the garden. I placed my arm on the table, and his cool fingers rested on my pulse. A few moments passed before he pulled his hand away. I couldn’t help myself. “So, what did you find?”

“Mrs. Bolton,” Wallace began, his voice calm and steady, “your digestion seems a bit weak. It could slightly affect the baby’s absorption of nutrients, but don’t be alarmed. With proper care and a balanced diet, everything will improve. The baby is completely healthy.”

His reassurance felt like a weight lifting from my chest. Just then, Alisa passed by, her footsteps soft against the polished floor. I called out to her with a smile. “Alisa here is pregnant too. Dr. Mervin, why don’t you check her pulse as well?”

Alisa hesitated, her expression shifting almost imperceptibly. “Aunt Chloe, that’s really not necessary. My baby is fine.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” I said, brushing off her concern. “Dr. Mervin is an excellent physician. A quick pulse check won’t hurt.”

Wallace remained composed, his eyes steady as he looked at her. “There’s nothing to worry about, ma’am,” he said with quiet confidence.

Reluctantly, Alisa took a seat. “Thank you, Dr. Mervin.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he replied.

After a few moments, Alisa offered a tentative smile. “So, Dr. Mervin, my baby is healthy, right?”

Wallace’s gaze lingered on her for a beat, unreadable yet thoughtful. Finally, he nodded. “Yes, everything seems fine. But it’s still important to be careful.”

“Thank you, Dr. Mervin,” she said with visible relief.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. “Dr. Mervin, you’ve been on your feet all night. I shouldn’t take up more of your time. Please, get some rest.”

He inclined his head slightly. “Thank you.”

“Follow me,” I said, leading him to the guest room on the first floor, the door already ajar to reveal a neatly prepared space. “If you need anything at all, just let one of the staff know,” I said.

“You’re very kind, Mrs. Bolton,” he replied.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it.”

Wallace closed the door behind him, and I turned toward the garden, drawn by the sunlight streaming through the windows. The rain from last night had left the air crisp and clean, carrying with it the rich scent of damp earth and freshly washed leaves. Each breath felt like a small renewal, as though the world had been scrubbed clean.

Chapter 478: Something’s Wrong

In the garden, Alisa sat with her easel, her brush moving with quiet precision. I walked over to her with curiosity. “Don’t you get tired of painting so much?” I asked, tilting my head toward the half-finished canvas.

She glanced up briefly, her smile serene. “There’s a charity sale at the children’s center coming up. I want to complete as many pieces as I can to help raise money. It’s a small way to give back—and maybe it’ll bring a little luck to the baby, too.”

“That’s such a kind thought,” I said, meaning it.

Alisa’s eyes flicked to me, bright with an idea. “Aunt Chloe, are you free? You could join me at the event. It’s not like you have much to do at home.”

I hesitated, shaking my head. “I don’t think so. I haven’t been feeling my best lately, so I probably wouldn’t be much help. But I can donate some old things for the sale. That’s still something, right?”

“That’s fine,” Alisa said with a nod. “It’s better to be cautious during the first trimester.”

I climbed the stairs, though rest was far from my mind. Instead, I asked for some yarn and settled down to practice crochet flowers using an online tutorial. My hands moved methodically, but my thoughts wandered, and my gaze kept drifting to Alisa.

Why had she been so reluctant when Dr. Mervin first offered to check her pulse? As a mother, I couldn’t understand her hesitation. A holistic method like that, harmless in every sense, could be done daily without any risk.

Luke had been busy these past days, dividing his time between his treatments and his work. He hardly spent time with Alisa, but she didn’t seem bothered. Was it because she loved him so much that nothing else mattered? Or was it something else entirely?

I couldn’t forget how bold she’d been when she used medication to conceive Luke’s child under such precarious circumstances. She had risked everything, even her future. Was it all truly for love? Or was it a calculated step to secure her place in the family?

Rubbing my temples, I sighed. Perhaps I was letting my imagination run wild. These days, it seemed like I saw shadows where there were none.

As I crocheted, Alisa’s occasional glances didn’t go unnoticed. Neither of us spoke, though, and we stayed in our quiet bubble until she finally retreated to her room.

By noon, I ensured that neither Whitney nor Dr. Mervin was disturbed. It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that Wallace emerged from his room. I followed him as he headed toward Whitney’s.

“Mrs. Bolton,” Wallace said as we stepped inside, his voice low and steady, “Ms. Sander hasn’t recovered fully yet. She shouldn’t be exposed to any drafts. Please close the door.”

“Of course.”

I shut the door gently and turned to see him hand Whitney a thermometer. Their fingers brushed for just a second, but Whitney flinched, pulling her hand back quickly, almost as though she’d been startled.

Wallace didn’t seem to react. His demeanor remained composed as he glanced at me and spoke in a hushed tone. “Mrs. Bolton, there’s an issue with Ms. Hudson’s baby.”

Chapter 479: Male Models