Chapter 8 How Do You Want Me to Respond

Nina slowly raised her head from the exclamation. However, when she realized who was calling her, she visibly relaxed. She exclaimed. "Doctor Franklin , It's you."

Behind him stood a group of people. All of them sported the usual white coats that were expected of a doctor. Blinking, she glanced back at the man in front of him. "Why are you here?"

When her brother had been diagnosed with autism, Franklin was the one who had assisted him through that process. During those times, they had gotten to know each other.

A warm smile slipped into his lips, but before he could even answer, the hospital's president immediately interrupted, "Doctor Franklin is here to work as our lecturer in the autism spectrum."

Of course, the man was a famous psychiatrist back in the A Nation. Not only was he known for his marvelous job, but he was also known for his achievements in the autism spectrum.

"What about you? What are you doing here?" Turning his attention back at her, the corners of his lips twitched downwards. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I..." At the sound of his voice, she was immediately reminded of the operation table and the dozen of tools crowding her view. She shuddered involuntarily, staggering backward.

"Nina !" Before she could calm herself, she could already hear her mother's words echoing across the hall as she raced right after her. Eva was waving a checklist in her hand. As soon as she heard the news from the nurse, she didn't waste any time running after her.

"Mom..." Her nose was already feeling sore.

Franklin immediately turned to the dean beside him. "Go back first. I have something else that I need to do."

"Of course. We will not disturb you any longer." The president bowed his head before ushering his doctors to the other side of the corridor. "I sincerely wish that you work in our hospital. If you have any request or specifications, we will do our best to extend our welcome to them."

"I will consider it."

Once they were gone, Franklin turned to the mother-and-daughter duo. "Aunty, why don't we go outside and talk about it? This place isn't suitable for these types of conversations." After all, with people coming in and out of the hospital, who knows what they'd here?

Eva also knew who he was. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have gathered enough money to treat her son. He was the one who had assisted her throughout all the processes.

That was why she treated him with the utmost respect.

"Yes..." The older woman continued to grip on her daughter's wrist, afraid that she'd run away again.

However, as they were walking out of the hospital, Nina immediately knelt in front of Eva. Ignorant of the crowds of people, she simply stared up at her mother. She begged. "Please Mom, my brother had just passed, and he's...I just want him to stay with me."

Who's staying with her? Franklin frowned, glancing at the way she had wrapped her arm around her abdomen. Suddenly, everything came falling into place.

He looked at the checklist in the older woman's hands and knew that she was pregnant.

But how?

A part of him wanted to know what was going on, but now wasn't the right time to ask. After all, they had far bigger fish to fry.

Tears rolled down Nina 's cheeks as she stared up at her. Even when her little brother had died, she never really broke down in front of Eva. In fact, this was the only time she had ever really shown her true feelings.

But if she did follow through with giving birth to the child, would there still be a future left for her to claim?

Knowing that it may be difficult for her to give it all up, the older woman sighed and turned away. "Fine. It's up to you."

Without another word, Eva walked out, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable with what had just transpired. Somehow, every time she glanced at her daughter, all she could feel was the itching amount of guilt piling onto her plate.

Nina crouched down, hugging her knees. She desperately wanted to be brave, for her and her child, but even she couldn't stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. She didn't want to cry, but it wasn't as if she could help it. All the pain and injuries she had sustained had accumulated.

Franklin could only watch in discomfort. He had called them when he returned home, learning that they had also returned and that her brother had died in a car accident.

As to what sent them home, he didn't exactly know.

She had just been a teenager when they met, but if anything, she had always been so selfless when it came to taking care of her family. Franklin squatted down, feeling his own chest ache at the sight.

Even when she had enough money to buy two meals, she'd sacrifice herself and give the two bowls to her mother and brother. She excused herself as to say she had already eaten.

She was so selfless.

Franklin reached out to touch her head, but before he could, she immediately raised her head up to look at him. "Thank you for helping me in the past. I'll repay you someday, once everything settles down."

The hand stopped right above her head before settling back to his sides. "Idiot. I volunteered to help, didn't I? You don't have to pay me back."

"You're kind, but I'll still remember either way."

That had always been the promise she'd say whenever they crossed paths.

"Then I'll remember it too." Helping her up, he looked around. "Where are you staying? I'll send you home."

"Right, my address." Worried as to where her mother had run off to, she immediately gave him the address to her residence. Her mother would've most likely headed home after the entire ordeal, so it was best to check it out.

The car ride was short and silent, but when she had finally arrived, Franklin held her back. "Will you be coming back in the future?"

There was a short pause before she shook her head. "No."

She had come back with great difficulty, and the last thing that she wanted was to head back to that country empty-handed. After everything she had gone through, she'd be damned if she'd abandon her mother's dreams as well.

"Thank you for driving me back." Without another word, Nina returned to her residences when she saw Eva sitting on a lone chair. The lights were turned off, but even then, she could still see the tears streaming down her cheeks. Her breath caught up with her throat.

Seeing her, she hurriedly wiped them away. She stuttered out. "I'm fine. You should go back."

"Mom!"

"I'm sorry. I. . . I didn't take good care of you." Eva gazed at her lap. Her fingers were still twitching from all the commotion. "It's my fault that you're like this. . . That you're stuck with raising a child...If I hadn't..."

"Mom..." Nina threw herself into her arms, and the two cried together, venting out all the pain in their hearts. It had been years, yet all the struggles were still as fresh as blood. It built so high up that none of them could take it anymore.

Only after they had calm down did she finally tell her about the agreement that she and Christopher had made. "You don't have to worry about him because we'd be divorced in a month," she said resolutely.

"A month? Just like that?"

Although she had first disapproved of the marriage, she had initially thought that the two of them would honor their vows and treat it with the utmost respect. But now that she knew her daughter was pregnant, maybe it was only best that they separate after that period of time.

She'd take care of her daughter right after.

Once everything had finally settled down, Nina returned to her mansion later in the evening. Christopher still hadn't returned, so she took this time to take a walk around the villa's yard, taking in her surroundings.

When it was late, she finally returned to the living room and grabbed herself a bottle of water in the kitchen.

She had been so busy thinking about all the events that had transpired, that she didn't even notice the sound of the door opening and closing.

It was only a few seconds later after she had turned around did she see a tall silhouette walking into the household. Immediately after, another beautiful figure walked right behind him.

Nina blinked.

She had never thought that Christopher would bring back the woman he loved this late at night.

When Celine glanced at the woman in his kitchen, she was also stunned to silence. Wasn't this the woman from the hospital that day as well? Why was she here?

Raising her head, she glanced at Christopher. The darkness in his eyes had returned, and so did the coldness of his features. The deep-seated anger that had fueled him this morning had returned in full force.

He had been so angry earlier...

Was it because of her?

Celine pursed her lips. Maybe it's time that she kept a close eye on her as well.

"Right. I'll head back to my room first." Not wanting to play the third wheel for the lovebirds, she stepped towards the staircase, planning to retreat into one of the guest rooms.

"Wait." Christopher gazed at her with sunken eyes. She was wearing a pair of conservative pajamas with a white dress that reached her ankles. Even then, it still didn't disguise her pale arms and elusive collarbone. There was something about her that seemed pure and beautiful. . . like a nymph that had just gotten out of the waters.

However, when he thought about her actions a few hours back, disgust rose in his heart. "Celine's the master of this house besides me. Do you understand what I mean?"

Of course, she did. It wasn't like she had staked her claim in any furniture of this household. Was there any other reason for him to emphasize this? Blinking, she slowly nodded.

"I know that. If that's it, I'll head back to my bedroom." Without another word, she turned around and took another step.

"Miss Millar," Celine called out. "I'm sorry."

Sorry?

Turning around, she saw the sincerity in Celine's features as she bowed her head. "Even though you and Christopher are to be engaged, we've known each other longer than you. I. . . I'm really sorry for interfering."

As if that wasn't enough, she bowed her head even lower. "If it weren't for you, the one who'd marry him today would be me. But I understand if. . ."

"Is that all you have to say?"

It wasn't as if she was mad about this arrangement. There wasn't a need to stay sorry.

And for her to emphasize her hold on the man...

"I just feel guilty that Christopher wouldn't love you as much as he loves me. I made everything complicated, so I'm sorry," she still continued to apologize profusely, much to her annoyance.

"There really is no need."

Did she have to be like this in front of Christopher?

Nina pursed her lips. There was just something off about the woman's personality.

"What's with your attitude?" Christopher squinted at her.

What's with her attitude? All she wanted was to go through with this month in peace. After obtaining everything she needed, she'd leave just like that. She pursed her lips.

There was no need for any of this nonsense.

Besides, after speaking, what response would they even like?

Not knowing what else to say, she cocked up an eyebrow. "What exactly do you want me to say?"