Chapter 743 At Her Bedside

The next morning, Yunice was transferred to a private care ward. Joe, not wanting her exhausted by too many visitors, limited access strictly. Only Gill remained by her side.

Yunice’s condition wasn’t critical, but the ordeal had shaken her body and stirred the fetus. She had bled, and to stabilize the pregnancy she would need two full months of strict bed rest–no strain, no overthinking, nothing but calm idleness. The good news: no dietary restrictions.

Gill blew gently on a spoonful of porridge before bringing it to Yunice’s lips. Yunice sipped with quiet satisfaction, eyes narrowing. “When Margaret took me, she brought food, but tied my hands and feet and set it on a table out of reach. She starved me on purpose.”

Gill frowned. “That’s just cruel.”

“No,” Yunice corrected softly. “It was a test. If I’d reached for it, she’d know I could undo the restraints.”

Gill paused, startled. Yes–Margaret’s mind had always been sharp. But at the thought of her, Gill’s expression dimmed.

Yunice caught it. Years ago, when Yunice was thrown into the asylum, Gill had been framed by Lily and cast out of the Saunders family. It was Margaret who helped her then, who let her stay in the capital to watch a house. Without that, Gill might have been forced into a marriage, with no chance at her current life. And now… to learn Margaret’s kindness had been calculated, just another piece in her schemes against Yunice, left Gill conflicted and heavy-hearted.

“Madam Margaret…” she began, but couldn’t finish.

Yunice’s voice was faint. “She’s been caught, hasn’t she?”

Gill nodded. “She took a hostage and pulled a gun. They could have shot her on the spot, but in the end, she surrendered.”

Yunice let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She changed the subject. “Where’s Wyatt?”

With his nature, she couldn’t believe he’d stay away. Unless… was he worse off than they were telling her?

At the mention of Wyatt, Gill’s expression shifted strangely. She glanced toward the door, then lowered her voice. “He’s been here all along. He just won’t come in. I don’t know why.” She gestured at the bowl of oats. “Those too–he brought them first thing this morning.”

Yunice turned her eyes toward the doorway, her brows knitting. “He’s… stayed outside?”

The door opened. Gill stepped out with the empty thermos. Wyatt’s glance was brief, enough to see how much Yunice had eaten.

Gill didn’t shut the door. “Sir, Ms. Yunice asked for you.” She left.

From the hall, Wyatt lifted his eyes. Through the open door, Yunice looked back at him from her bed. He hesitated, then stepped inside.

He sat where Gill had been, stiff, cautious. Despite himself, his gaze drifted toward her stomach. Just the thought that a tiny life was there made something strange and tender bloom inside him. He wanted to reach out, to feel it. But Joe had warned him–it was too early. There was nothing to feel.

Yunice saw it all. She tugged the blanket down slightly.

Wyatt snapped his eyes away at once.

“Nothing you want to say to me?” she asked.

He thought a moment, then, careful not to upset her, asked the least direct thing: “How did you even get pregnant?” He’d been so careful.

Yunice’s lips quirked. “You think you’re the only one who can steal genes? You blocked the faucet. Did you think I couldn’t still draw water?”

Wyatt: “…”

His hands clenched against his thighs. After a beat, he asked, low, “What do you plan to do?”

“Of course I’ll have the child.”

His eyes flickered, unsteady. “And the father?”

Her expression shifted but she dodged the question, countering, “All you do is ask me things. I have one for you. That day–why did you run out and expose yourself? Did you really think someone else was more important than me?” If not for that, he wouldn’t have been shot.

“Of course not!” Wyatt denied instantly.

“If I hadn’t stepped in, and the police had been hurt by that gun–your gun, taken by Margaret–how long would you have blamed yourself?” It had been Yunice’s weapon. In her hands, it was protection. In Margaret’s, it became a threat. With her nature, she would have carried that guilt for a lifetime.

But…