421: Chapter 421: Morning Sickness Woes

Chapter 421: Morning Sickness Woes

The next morning, Lillie woke up with a start at the sudden feeling of bile climbing up her throat. She hastily pushed the covers off her and quickly ran towards the bathroom lest she wanted a mess on the floor with yesterday's meal. 0

Her guts wrenched painfully as she expelled the bitter-salty fluid. The stench was foul and it only made her vomit more. Even when she has no more to throw up, her gag reflex still triggers.

Lillie sniffled as tears blurred her vision. She spit the disgusting residue from her mouth before withdrawing from the toilet and flushing the undigested food down the drain. 

Ethan pressed close to her on the floor, holding her hair back for her on one hand while the other patted her back in consolation as she retched.

He was with her the whole time. The commotion had Ethan wide awake. He saw Lillie making her way to the bathroom and instantly knew what was going on and hence quickly followed.

"Here," Ethan returns to her side after filling a glass with water for her to rinse her mouth with and to drink. 

Lillie sniffles again as she takes the glass of water from him. 

"Better?" He asked after a few minutes, his gentle backrubs not subsiding. 

"Hm." She nodded weakly. 

Ethan wrapped his arms around her and guided her head to rest on his chest. Lillie snuggles deeper, turning to her side so that she can bury her nose into his body. She sighed as she inhaled his scent, effectively calming her down. 

Throwing up sucks. Lillie felt disgusting. She can already feel the changes in her body, albeit slow. It would take a few more weeks before a noticeable bump shows up. Soon, that bump would grow until she looked as if she swallowed a large watermelon. She can't help but think if Ethan would look at her differently once her body begins to change to accommodate their baby. 

Would he look at her differently? 

Lillie's self-deprecating thoughts were interrupted with Ethan's soothing voice comforting her. 

"It's alright. This period will be over soon." He said, at the same time rubbing her stomach. "Little one, don't be giving your mommy a hard time, alright? She's already doing a lot just for you to have a safe place to grow."

Tears pricked Lillie's eyes. She wound her arms around Ethan's chest as quiet sobs hitched from her throat.

"Lillie?" Ethan called her with panic. He cupped her cheeks and drew them up to face him. "What's wrong? Does anything hurt? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

This silly man, Lillie can't help but chuckle despite the tears streaming down her face. "I love you."

Surprised by the sudden declaration, Ethan still replied with an "I love you more," just as genuine and full of adoration. 

"Are you sure you're feeling better?" Ethan asked again worriedly. 

Lillie hummed. "Better than ever, thanks to you, husband."

Ethan's cheeks were coated in red. "You can't say that so suddenly, Lillie." He mumbled, his voice muffled by her neck from where he hid his face. His wife is so cute. His wife's beautiful voice telling him "I love you" was already overwhelming, but calling him husband was lethal.

So precious that it's almost bad for his health; too addicting. 

"I can't wait for you to be mine," Lillie said, sleepiness evident in her voice. "Officially." she adds. 

"I'm already yours, ever since I laid my eyes on you." Ethan traces her hand. These hands of hers had been through a lot of hardship. For as long as he's alive, these hands will never know suffering ever again. Ethan will carry whatever burden Lillie has to hold "Official or not, what I know for certain is that I wouldn't want anyone else but you."

He will do whatever it takes to make this world a better place for her and the family they're starting to build.

"Me too, since the beginning," She yawned softly, fighting to stay awake. She looks like a sleepy cat. "I've always liked Ethan back then. Ethan is the only man I will ever love."

Ethan's breath shook as he exhaled at Lillie's drunk-like confession. 

"I'm sorry," 

Ethan perked up in confusion. "Whatever for?"

"Back then…I was too prideful…foolish. I misunderstood Ethan's intention." 

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Lillie. I'm at fault too, for not being brave enough to let my feelings be clear. I felt like I wasn't good enough for you, unfit to stand by your side." She who shines like the sun and draws everyone to her like moths to flame, but with a demeanor as cool and mysterious as the moon. How could he ever imagine being adequate?

"We're both foolish, then." 

"That, we were." Ethan chuckled at her diplomatic response. 

They stayed right there, sitting on the bathroom floor and neither bothered by the cold tiles as their body heat was enough to warm each other up. It wasn't only until Lillie fell asleep that Ethan carefully carried her back to bed and tucked her in his arms again. 

After a few more hours of sleep, the two woke up just in time for breakfast, and Lillie helped Ethan cover the bruise on his face. 

The Bai and Li parents didn't seem to notice anything strange with their children's behavior, nor noticed the makeup on Ethan's face. The swelling thankfully disappeared over the night with some ice and healing cream but the discoloration was still there. 

In conclusion, breakfast was peaceful. 

Until it wasn't. 

"Oh my god," Agathe Crevier smothered her gasp with her palm, staring with wide eyes at the news they were all watching on the dining room's TV. 

"This is incredibly worrisome. Especially with how close the incident was." Han Rushi said, frowning at the photos of the carnage the news displayed. 

"Of all the days some underworld organization fights, it has to be during the fashion week." Agathe Crevier groans. "I hope the city won't be put on lockdown."

The perpetrators of the incident quietly ate their breakfast, acting clueless and innocent. 

They'll be chewed alive then spit out to be scolded until their ears fall off if their parents knew. 

Lillie's mother is right. Usually, when an Underworld interfight as big as this happens in a highly urbanized city, a lockdown would take effect to ensure everyone's safety and set up a manhunt. 

But when the Underworld's powerhouses were involved, the authorities are hesitant to investigate. 

"Don't worry, mom, auntie. I'm sure the authorities would settle everything quickly." Li Yifei assured. 

"Honestly, setting a lockdown during a big event like a fashion week will upset not only the locals but also the people from other countries in attendance." Gabriel added. "And upsetting the foreign guests is not good for business. After all, tourist attraction is one of the biggest contributors to the economy's growth." 

"They wouldn't want international relationships to be jeopardized or be criticized by them on how they handle things." Lillie said after sipping on her orange juice. 

Vitamin C increases iron absorption in your body. 

"They're right, honey. Don't stress over it and continue focusing on your big event. Besides, who would dare hinder the Fashion Queen's grace?" Alexander Bai kissed his wife's hand and winked at her. 

Agathe Crevier chuckled and playfully smacked her husband's shoulder. "Oh, you."

Lillie cleared her throat while Gabriel covered his face in embarrassment. Li Yifei cooed at the couple's sweetness. 

Ethan imagined his future with Lillie. Would they still be as sweet to each other once they grow older? 

Noticing his gaze, Lillie tilted her head questioningly at him. Ethan smiled at her and grasped her hand under the table. 

She returned his smile with a softer one and lightly clenched his hand as if in assurance. 

pqdm.com