Chapter 348

Jonny had given her some strong meds. There were bound to be some consequences.

Sure enough, Kayla was already feeling uncomfortable even though her period was still five days away. Her lower abdomen kept aching with a dull, nagging pain.

“Honey?” Tuff noticed Kayla spacing out and waved a hand before her face, trying to get her attention.

Kayla snapped back to reality. “What if your grandma starts pressuring us to have a kid?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Tuff said with a reassuring smile, though a deep ache twisted in his chest. ‘If Kayla ever found out she couldn’t have kids, would she cry?‘

Tuff had made arrangements in advance, so Kayla wouldn’t have to worry. He hoped their trip back to Lunova would go smoothly.

“Do you want to have kids?” Kayla asked in a gentle voice.

“If Tuff wants a baby, I’d give him one, no matter what. Even if my health’s a mess, I’d still take the chance for him,‘ Kayla thought.

“Nope.” Tuff shrugged with a look of distaste. “We just got married, and I’m not done enjoying our time alone yet!”

Kayla’s cheeks flushed. “You’re impossible…”

“Did you like the way we did it last night?” Tuff leaned in with a cheeky grin.

Kayla just turned on her heel and walked off, ignoring him.

Tuff was about to chase after her and keep sweet-talking, but the doorbell suddenly rang.

“Who is it?” Tuff called out impatiently.

He stomped over to the door, clearly annoyed.

Tuff immediately tensed up when he saw Landon standing outside with a grim expression. “What’s wrong?”

“Is Kayla okay?” Landon asked.

‘Is he here to beat me up?‘ Tuff wondered.

Tuff quickly reassured him, “She’s fine! Seriously, she’s doing great!”

“Mr. Mitchell is giving Daniel a hard time,” Landon said as he walked inside, filling Tuff in on what was going on.

Tuff was stunned. “Why’s Mr. Mitchell acting like that?”

“Has Mr. Rumsfeld, your master, been putting any pressure on you?” Landon asked.

“Nope! He has been missing for six months,” Tuff replied.

Tuff and Landon had joined the Flying Tiger Sect at the same time, but each had a different master. Landon was Larry’s student, while Tuff learned from Alfredo Rumsfeld.

Both Larry and Alfredo were top elders in the Flying Tiger Sect.

Landon paused, then said, “Ask Mr. Rumsfeld about the Mystic Sect.”

“Alright,” Tuff replied.

Tuff dialed Alfredo right away.

Alfredo was known for being funny and easygoing, so Tuff figured he wouldn’t run into any trouble. But to Tuff’s surprise, Alfredo said, “Cling technology is crucial. We need Joanna’s help.”

‘Damn, this is bad!‘ Tuff thought.

Tuff was confused as he said, “Mr. Rumsfeld, you can’t hold Landon’s resignation hostage over this. Threatening the Zuckerbergs, right?”

“We’re giving the Zuckerberg family some respect, Tuff. If Joanna doesn’t come willingly, we’ve got other ways to make it imp…”

Tuff was speechless.

He threw up his hands, exasperated, and suggested to Landon, “How about we let Joanna bring cloned Porter back herself?”

“There’s no way I can explain this to the Zuckerberg family,” Landon snapped, frustration clear in his voice. “I’ve got responsibilities, but it’s not the Zuckerberg family’s problem to solve.”

“Yeah, you’re right, but…” Tuff let out a long sigh. “Honestly, Mr. Rumsfeld is looking out for us.”

Landon pressed his lips together, still fuming.

“Think about it. What would happen if our masters bypassed us and directly arrested Joanna?” Tuff said.

Landon tensed up. “That’d be a disaster!”

“Exactly! So let’s talk to Joanna. Who knows, maybe she’ll agree. It’s just about research right now. They’re not planning to treat cloned Porter like some lab rat,” said Tuff. “I can do it if you don’t want to bring it up.”

“No, let me handle it,” Landon replied, thinking about Kayla’s situation. He wanted to talk to Joanna himself.

Joanna had just started turning her life around. They couldn’t back her into a corner now.

Landon glanced at the pile of gifts on the table, grabbed one at random, and asked, “When are you heading back to Lunova?”

“Tomorrow,” Tuff replied.

“Look after Kayla for me,” Landon said.

Tuff grinned. “Relax! I’ll also check in on Joanna when I get back and see if I can stall things a bit.”

“Sounds good. By the time you’re done, the wedding day of Daniel and Edith has also arrived. Amy and I will come in a few days. Why not let Landon stay in Norava for a bit?” Landon suggested.

“No need. My son’s not someone I need to hide,” Tuff replied.

Standing outside the bedroom door, Kayla smiled with satisfaction.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen, and she doubled over, clutching her stomach.

It took her a full three minutes to catch her breath and straighten up.

Her face was pale, and panic gripped her. ‘What if this messed up my body? What if I can’t have kids anymore?‘ she worried.

It would be hasty if she went to the hospital today, but once they got to Lunova, she knew she’d have to get checked out again.

Tuff set off for Lunova with his wife and little son the next morning.

On the way, Landon was buzzing with excitement. “Daddy, is Lunova fun? I’ve never been there before!”

“Oh, it’s awesome! Lunova has the biggest amusement park in the whole country. I’ll take you there once your great-grandma’s birthday is over,” Tuff said with a grin.

“Yay! Mommy has to come, too!” Landon grabbed Kayla’s arm. “Our whole family will go together!”

Kayla’s stomach twisted with pain again, but she managed a smile. “Sure!”

“Yay! This is the best!” Landon cheered.

Landon was so happy that he started waving his arms and jumping.

Getting to play together as a family was what he’d always wished for.

It was just a dream before, but it was finally coming true!

“Kayla, you don’t look good. What’s wrong?” Tuff finally noticed something was off and asked.

Kayla didn’t want him to worry, so she shook her head and said, “Just a bit airsick. I’m fine.”

“Want an orange?” Tuff immediately pulled an orange out of his bag and started peeling it for her.

The unique fragrance of the orange peel tickled her senses, and Kayla felt a little better. She leaned against Tuff and mumbled, “Can we stay at a hotel for a bit before going home?”

“The rooms at home are all ready for us. You’ll be comfortable, I promise. Grandma can’t wait to see you,” Tuff said with a grin. “What’s wrong? Is my fearless general suddenly getting shy?”

“Well, it’s my second marriage,” Kayla said softly.

“So what? Even third marriages are normal these days,” Tuff said.

Kayla couldn’t have any more excuses, so she accepted it.

‘I married him, so I’ll have to face this sooner or later. Might as well get it over with now,‘ thought Kayla. ‘If we get along, great. If not, I can always walk away. I’ve got my family backing me up.‘

“Mommy, I’ve mastered all the Lunova etiquette! I swear I won’t embarrass you guys,” Landon said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Landon, the little social butterfly, made Kayla think of Landon when he was a kid.

Landon was smart, lively, and always the social butterfly. He especially loved tagging along with his dad to all those grown-up gatherings.

However, after Kayla was kidnapped by her aunt, Landon changed. He went from bubbly to ice-cold overnight.

If Amelia hadn’t shown up, Kayla honestly had no idea who could’ve saved Landon.

‘Maybe the way people end up together is just fate,‘ Kayla thought.

Amelia had turned Landon’s life around, and Tuff was doing the same for Kayla…

“Tuff?” That all-too-familiar, annoying voice rang out.

Tuff and Kayla both looked up, and their faces instantly soured when they saw Joyce standing in the aisle.

“Tuff, you guys heading back to Lunova for Mrs. Prescott’s birthday? What a coincidence. I’m going, too,” Joyce said with a smile, giving Kayla a subtle once-over.

‘Man, it’s only been a month, but Kayla looks rough. Is she knocked up or something? Pregnant?‘ Joyce wondered.

Then Joyce caught sight of the half-peeled orange in Tuff’s hand, and a wave of jealousy hit her.

‘So she is pregnant. Some people get everything handed to them,‘ Joyce thought, feeling bitter.

“Joyce, where’s your seat?” Tuff asked, watching Kayla out of the corner of his eye.

Joyce replied, “I booked my ticket late, so I didn’t get a first-class seat. I’m way in the back…”

“Go on, and don’t block the aisle,” Tuff said.