The bodyguard entered after knocking and placed breakfast on the table before quickly leaving. After freshening up, Felicia walked out. The breakfast spread occupied the entire table.

After finishing her meal, she wiped her mouth and headed to the delivery room. As expected, Stephan was already waiting.

Felicia approached silently, but Stephan noticed her immediately. He reached out and pulled her close. “You were complaining about being hungry last night. Did you eat breakfast?”

“I did,” Felicia teased. “How did you know it was me? What if you had mistaken someone else for me?”

“That’s impossible,” Stephan said confidently. “How could I not recognize my own wife?”

Felicia was speechless. He had her there. She pressed, however, “But what if… what if one day, you can’t recognize me?”

Stephan pondered her question, then chuckled and shook his head. “If that ever happens, it means I’m dead.”

“Don’t say that!” Neither of them knew then that this casual exchange would one day become a haunting prophecy. Felicia’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly covered Stephan’s mouth with her hand. He simply laughed and kissed her hand.

Felicia stared at him. His handsome features, the curve of his lips, his every word and gesture, resonated deeply. She vowed she wouldn’t let him remain blind; she would find a way to cure his eyes, no matter the cost.

By noon, after approximately sixteen hours in the delivery room, Imogen successfully gave birth to a healthy baby boy. When the nurse emerged holding the newborn, the baby had already been cleaned and wrapped in a towel.

Being premature, the baby’s cries were faint, his body small and frail. His red skin made him look like a small monkey nestled in the blanket.

Stephan hesitated to touch the baby, unable to see. Upon hearing the good news that both mother and child were safe, his expression softened, and he breathed a sigh of relief. “I can’t hold him. Will you hold him instead, Mrs. Russell?”

Felicia froze, then realized he was addressing her. She immediately stumbled back, waving her hands. No way. It wasn’t that she disliked children; she feared the baby’s mother might later confront her.

After all, Imogen was not to be trifled with. She was terrifying when angry, and Felicia’s survival instincts kicked in.

Stephan arranged for others to care for the baby. Soon, Imogen was wheeled out of the delivery room and transferred to her ward. The baby was brought to her side.

Stephan wanted to check on his sister, but Felicia found an excuse to avoid following. If Imogen saw her, she would likely become emotional again, escalating the situation.

Stephan understood. He sighed and patted Felicia’s head. “I’ll take care of it. Sorry you have to endure this.”

Felicia gently pushed him. “Go on.”

If Stephan had released Felicia’s hand or asked her to step back to avoid exacerbating the conflict when Imogen had threatened self-harm, Felicia would have felt aggrieved. But he hadn’t.

In a situation seemingly impossible to resolve for both parties, he made a different choice. Even at his own expense, he had never let go of her. Felicia sighed. How could she not fall for him?