HER WOMB, HIS HEART

THE SAME MISTAKE

Emily stepped out of the bathroom and saw that her bed had already been neatly made.

“Did Mr. Alan tidy it up?”

“Emily, your favorite cheesy salmon pasta is ready.” Alan carried a tray of food and vitamins for Emily.

“Sit down! I’ll feed you,” Alan said eagerly.

“Thank you for the offer, sir, but I’d rather eat in the dining room. Mrs. Noldi might be almost home by now.” Emily took the tray from Alan with a blank expression.

“Emily, did I do something wrong?” Alan asked.

The sound of a car could be heard outside in the front yard.

“Mrs. Noldi is home.” Emily hurried to the dining room and began eating the meal Alan had prepared.

The front door opened. Alan sat across from Emily and slowly enjoyed his own meal. In front of Mrs. Noldi, his gaze became blank again.

“Master Alan, I’m sorry. The weather there was terrible. I hurried home as soon as conditions became stable enough. I’ll feed you.” Mrs. Noldi placed her shopping bags on the dining table.

“Thank goodness, Mrs. Noldi is back. I’m sorry, Mr. Alan. I was confused by everything that happened last night. I was too embarrassed and scared.” Emily glanced briefly at Alan.

“You don’t have to apologize, Mrs. Noldi. I’m starting to get used to it.” Alan smiled.

“Is Emily in pain? Or did I do something that hurt her?”

Emily got up and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

“Emily, let me do everything. You’re a guest in this house,” Mrs. Noldi stopped her.

“It’s okay, Mrs. Noldi. I’m only washing a few dishes.” Emily smiled.

Emily’s stomach suddenly tightened. She simply placed a hand over it and gently rubbed her belly while steadying her breathing.

“What’s wrong with Emily?” Alan noticed her sweaty face as though she were trying to endure the pain.

“Emily, what’s wrong?” Mrs. Noldi hurried over to her.

“It’s nothing, Mrs. Noldi. My stomach feels tight.” Emily continued rubbing her belly.

“It sounds like you’re having false contractions. You should rest. Don’t overexert yourself, Emily. Come, I’ll take you to your room.” Mrs. Noldi took Emily by the arm.

Alan could only watch helplessly as Emily appeared to be in pain. He didn’t want his act to be exposed.

“What’s wrong with Emily? Is she in pain because of what we did last night?”

“Emily, lie down on your left side. I’ll apply a warm gel pack to your lower back. The contractions may be happening because you’re exhausted.” Mrs. Noldi stepped out to warm the compress.

“Mrs. Noldi, what’s happening to Emily?” Alan asked anxiously.

“Emily is having contractions. I’m going to give her a warm gel pack to compress her back and lower back. It would be very dangerous if the baby were born now,” Mrs. Noldi explained.

Alan’s heart began pounding faster. He was afraid something terrible might happen to Emily and their child.

“Mrs. Noldi, I think we should take Emily to the hospital!” Alan urged.

Mrs. Noldi furrowed her brow at the concern on Alan’s face.

“Master Alan is very worried about Emily? But why? Surely he wouldn’t have feelings for his wife’s pregnant cousin, would he?”

“Mrs. Noldi must be suspicious.”

“I hope you don’t misunderstand. Emily is a cousin Soraya cares about deeply. If something happened to Emily, my wife would be devastated. I don’t want to make my wife sad,” Alan explained.

“All right, Master Alan. I’ll take Emily to the hospital.”

**

“Darling, where are you going? Why do you look so worried?” Soraya asked as she opened her eyes.

“I have to go back to the clinic. Emily is having contractions!” Tyson straightened his clothes and put his personal belongings into his bag.

“Contractions? Isn’t that what pregnant women experience before giving birth?” Soraya asked.

“Yes. Emily can’t give birth yet.” Tyson looked around to make sure he had packed all his belongings into his bag and suitcase.

“Who told you about this?”

“Alan. Mrs. Noldi contacted me. Soraya, I have to catch the first boat. Are you coming with me or staying here?” Tyson asked.

“I’m coming. Wait for me!” Soraya hurried to her room and got herself ready as quickly as possible.

On the boat, Tyson remained in constant contact with Nurse Dolla over the phone.

“How is she? Are the contractions getting worse?” Tyson asked.

“They’re becoming more intense. I’ve already given her an injection to help mature the baby’s lungs. I also gave her medication to ease the contractions,” Nurse Dolla replied.

“Aahh,” Emily cried out as she endured the pain.

Tyson grew increasingly anxious when he heard Emily’s cries of pain.

“How’s her dilation?” Tyson asked again.

“I already checked her. There’s no dilation yet,” Nurse Dolla replied.

Soraya, who had been sitting beside Tyson the entire time, began to suspect that his concern was unusual.

“Darling, have some tea first.” Soraya handed Tyson a cup of warm tea.

Tyson sat down and steadied his breathing. He took small sips of the warm tea.

“Darling, why do you look so worried about Emily’s condition?” Soraya asked.

Tyson stared sharply into Soraya’s eyes.

“I’m a doctor, Soraya. I know the serious consequences that could occur if the baby in Emily’s womb is born prematurely. Shouldn’t you be worried too? That baby is your own child!” Tyson replied curtly.

“Are you sure there isn’t another reason? I don’t think you’re worried about Emily the way a doctor worries about his patient. I’m jealous,” Soraya said.

“I don’t understand the way you think, Soraya. That child is our means of draining the Horison family’s wealth. If we lose the baby, our entire plan could fail. There’s no time for baseless jealousy!” Tyson snapped, growing increasingly irritated.

At the clinic, Nurse Dolla continued monitoring Emily’s condition. Alan could only suppress all his worry. He couldn’t be there for Emily during her difficult moment. He had to continue pretending to be blind in front of everyone.

“Forgive me, Emily!”

“What am I supposed to tell Dr. Tyson? Emily’s contractions were caused by intercourse. There’s semen around Emily’s cervix.” Nurse Dolla looked extremely troubled.

Nurse Dolla checked the contraction monitor again.

“Is the pain starting to ease?” Nurse Dolla asked Emily.

Emily nodded, sweat still pouring down her face.

**

Seven Years Ago

“Becca, get on. Your house is on Flamingo Street, right?” Tyson stopped his large motorcycle.

“Thank you for the offer, sir. I still have to work part-time. Excuse me.” Becca lowered her head slightly before walking away from Tyson.

“Where’s your part-time job?” Tyson asked.

“I deliver food, sir,” Becca replied.

Becca ran over, grabbed her bicycle, and hurried toward the restaurant. However, something went wrong. The bicycle she was riding skidded, and Becca fell off.

“Becca!” Tyson parked his motorcycle and ran over to her.

“Aah.” Becca winced in pain. Her elbow was bleeding.

“Damn it! How could the wheel come off my bike?” Becca complained as she ran over to inspect her bicycle.

Tyson followed her. He was shocked by the poor condition of Becca’s bicycle. Several of the spokes showed signs of having been broken.

“Becca, forget about the bicycle for now. Let’s treat your injury first.” Tyson led Becca to a chair near the garden.

“Why do they never get tired of bothering me? If my bicycle is ruined, how am I supposed to work?” Becca cried.

Tyson put a bandage on Becca’s elbow.

“Who do you mean by ‘they’?” he asked.

“The children of the most powerful people at this school,” Becca answered between sobs.

“So Becca has been bullied all this time?”

The growling of Becca’s stomach changed the mood.

“Dear stomach, why do you have to growl at a time like this?” Becca grumbled.

“Thank you for helping me, sir. I should get going!” Becca hurried away.

“Where are you going? Come with me!” Tyson took Becca by the hand and asked her to get on his motorcycle.

“Where are we going, sir?” Becca asked.

“To a nice restaurant. When you think you’re having a terrible day, good food is the best medicine. Come on in!” Tyson urged.

Becca stood frozen in front of the restaurant door until the owner called out to her.

“Hey, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and deliver the orders! The customers are waiting!”

“This is where you work?” Tyson asked.

Becca nodded. “Thank you for taking me here, sir.” Becca opened the restaurant door and began working.

Tyson was still standing outside.

“Sir, are you still here?”

“You’re going to deliver all those orders?” Tyson asked in astonishment when he saw Becca carrying several boxes of food in both hands.

“Yes, sir. I’m going to start working now.” Becca nodded slowly.

Tyson looked at Becca in confusion.

“Is she really going to deliver all those orders on foot?”

“Your hand is still injured. Let me do the work for you!” Tyson took the order boxes from Becca’s hands.

“Only my hand is injured, sir. My legs are perfectly fine.” Becca refused.

“You’re going to walk?” Tyson asked again.

“Yes. I can’t drive anything except a bicycle, sir,” Becca replied.

“I’ll take you! Get on!” Tyson urged.

“But, sir…”

“Becca, are you still here? Hurry up and deliver those orders!” the restaurant owner shouted.

“I’m going!” Becca quickly climbed onto Tyson’s sport motorcycle.

The two of them quickly delivered orders to twenty different addresses.

“Thank you so much, sir. I caused you so much trouble today.” Becca smiled.

“If you want to thank me, would you have dinner with me?” Tyson smiled.

Becca nodded. They ate at another restaurant, one that was relatively quiet.

“Why do you like quiet places so much?” Tyson asked.

“Because I’m not very good at interacting with other people. There’s peace in solitude, and I like it,” Becca replied casually.

“Becca, what do you like?” Tyson asked.

“Drawing is the only thing I like.” Becca enjoyed her favorite strawberry ice cream with a cheerful smile.

Tyson was captivated by Becca’s bright smile, one he rarely got to see.

“Be happy, Becca. You’re so beautiful when you smile.”

**