“Remember, Madam. If it turns out that the baby in the womb is a girl, you shouldn’t be disappointed.”‘
Gabriella’s hand spontaneously squeezed Max’s fingers tighter. The butler’s words that echoed in her mind had added to tightness in the chest. Closing her eyes, Gabriella tried to take a deep breath.
“Don’t worry, Gaby,” Max whispered while squeezing back, signaling that he was sending support.
“Why are you so tense, Madam? Ultrasound examination is painless,” the doctor said with a smile.
Gabriella was unable to answer. She just returned the gaze while keeping to catch her breath.
Anxious to see his wife, Max snorted lightly. Grasping the cold fingers, he stroked the woman’s head with the other hand.
“Gaby ….” The man’s whisper stole the attention. As soon as his wife returned his gaze, he flashed a smile and nodded. “It’s all right,” Max said only through his mouth, without a sound.
Watching the couple’s behavior, the doctor secretly hid a laugh. While looking around for something on the screen, she asked, “Have you come up with a name for this baby?”
Blinking awkwardly, Gabriella nodded. “Yes, Doc,” she answered flatly.
“Do you mind telling?” the white-robed woman asked, trying to lessen her patient’s anxiety.
“Cayden. Cayden Evans,” Gabriella replied with the same expression.
“That’s a very good name. Then, what if the baby is a girl?”
In just an instant, the patient’s frown deepened. With chin starting to twitch, she held the roaring breath. Gabriella was afraid to feel guilty, if she was disappointed to find out that the baby she’s carrying was a girl.
Sensing his wife’s anxiety, Max sighed. “We know this is not a right action. But, we are expecting a boy, Doc,” he explained.
“Well then, congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Your wish will come true.”
In less than a second, Max and Gabriella checked the screen, which was dominated by black and white.
“Your baby is a boy,” the doctor explained, pointing to a dot on the screen with one hand.
“Are you sure the doctor?” Gabriella sighed with eyebrows raised high.
“Yes,” the white-robed woman nodded.
After a sigh of relief, Max hugged his wife. “We did it, Gaby. We managed to invite the Little Prince,” he whispered with eyes closed. Every now and then, the man kissed the head of his wife who was still motionless.
“We made it, Max?” Gabriella sighed with her sight blocked by tears.
While staring intently at his wife, the man nodded. “Yes. The Little Prince has arrived.”
The emotion finally spilled from the woman’s mouth. “We did it,” she muttered, curling her lips.
A second later, Gabriella pulled her husband’s shoulders closer. With great warmth, she embraced the man who had colored her life with joy.
“Thank you, Max,” the woman whispered almost inaudibly. “I will take good care of the Little Prince this time.”
“And I will protect you with all my body and soul.”
Once again, Max stroked his wife’s head. He never expected that his happiness could still grow bigger. Gabriella had made him realize that gratitude had no limits.
***
“How is it, Madam? What’s the result?”
“Is it a boy?”
Gabriella’s arrival was welcomed by many people. They eagerly awaited news from the couple who deliberately did not divulge information before arriving home.
After a moment of silence, the woman nodded and curled her lips. While stroking her stomach, she gave an answer. “This is indeed our Little Prince.”
Cheers of joy immediately aired. The servants embraced each other, while Herbert laughed happily. The old man never expected to feel happiness again.
“I’m going to have a grandson,” he muttered in relief. With eyes full of compassion, he stepped closer to his daughter-in-law.
Knowing the old man had something to say, Max immediately exclaimed, “Shall we have a party tonight?”
The servants nodded in unison. “Agree, Sir.”
“Let’s discuss to design a lively event,” Max said before smiling faintly at Herbert. “I leave Gaby to you, Dad. Please look after the Little Prince until I return.”
After seeing the nod from his father, Max went into the dining room with the servants, leaving his wife with round, attentive eyes.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Dad. We want to give a surprise,” the woman said while continuing to stroke her stomach.
“It’s okay, Gaby. I am happy. It’s been a long time since my heart has been tickled by good news like this,” Herbert said, nodding reassuringly.
After a moment of silence, the old man’s hand went to the sofa. “How about we sit down? There’s something I want to tell you.”
Blinking in curiosity, Gabriella complied. As soon as she sat down, the father-in-law immediately took a deep breath.
“So far, I have not officially apologized to you. So, today, I want to do it properly,” Herbert said with clenched fists.
“Why are you suddenly talking about it, Dad? It’s all gone,” Gabriella said carelessly.
“But this heart doesn’t feel calm if it hasn’t finished everything down to the roots,” the old man said before looking down and shaking his head. “I am sorry for destroying your house and making yourself bait for Max. You must be in a lot of pain.”
The curve of Gabriella’s lips suddenly turned bitter. After a faint sigh, she looked up at the memories.
“At that time, I was indeed tortured and very angry. I felt like I’d lost everything,” the woman said spontaneously, making her father-in-law’s heart beat faster.
“Do you still hate me?” Herbert asked carefully.
“Now, I have a perfect life. I have a new house, Max, and also the Little Prince. There’s no reason to hate you, Dad,” Gabriella said with a faint smile. Her eyes were sincere and without a lie.
“So, don’t you hate your father-in-law anymore? Even after all the crimes he’s done to you?” The old man sounded like he was asking about someone else.
A second later, the woman raised the corners of her lips. “No.”
Unexpectedly, Herbert laughed in relief and stroked his chest. His heart had just been released from the snare of tension. “So, are we at peace now?” he mumbled in conviction.
“We’ve been at peace for a long time, Dad. Even, when you apologized to Max, we weren’t enemies anymore.”
Silently, Herbert looked at the daughter-in-law. After a glance, his teary eyes seemed to vibrate playing the memory.
“Apparently, I did not misjudge you. I have always thought that you are a kind and gentle woman. That’s why, I chose you to be the bait. Max won’t be able to escape your charms. And it turns out, you’re too kind, Gaby. Even a man as old as myself will bow to you.”
Suddenly, Gabriella’s laughter sounded crisp. Covering her mouth, the woman mumbled, “You sound like a man professing love, Dad.”
“Yes, I did declare love. I’ve treated you like my own daughter, Gaby. I love you as much as I love my sons.”
Hearing such sweet words from Herbert Evans, the emotion returned to the woman’s eyes. “And very soon, we will be rivaled by the Little Prince. I think you will love him more than anyone else,” she said in a soft voice.
“You are absolutely right. Therefore, take good care of your womb. Give me a cute and healthy grandson,” Herbert pleaded hopefully.
Without thinking, Gabriella nodded in agreement. “Sure, Dad. Little Prince will be very happy to meet his grandfather.”