"Before I go, do you need anything?" Kaden asked, catching her by surprise.
Lina's eyes lit up. He was finally prioritizing something else! As much as Lina cared for him, she wasn't a greedy woman. She had matured enough to know he should have a life outside of her… even if he didn't want to. What would they call that?
An obsession?
Was Kaden DeHaven obsessed with her in a psychopathic manner? She hoped not.
But his behavior earlier, how quickly he was willing to manipulate her… Lina's heart raced. Instantly, his gaze flickered to her chest. Then, back towards her eyes. He heard it.
"What's wrong, dove?" Kaden murmured. "Is something bothering you?"
How was Lina supposed to word that kind of question? Hey, handsome Chairman with power and wealth, are you obsessed with me? Are you a psychopath? As if three lifetimes with him wasn't a testament to his nature…
"No," Lina admitted. "Nothing at all."
Kaden frowned. She shoved at his shoulders, urging him to stand. He reluctantly did so, his brows taunted with disapproval. He glanced at her emptied IV bag.
"I'll tell a nurse to—"
"No, need. Truly." Lina took his hand with two of hers. She squeezed it, but found it amusing. His hands were large and his fingers long. She was a baby compared to his size.
"The room feels cold. I'll need to—"
"Kaden."
"Dove," he mocked in the same seriousness.
"You have to return to your company."
"I have to accompany my hospitalized wife," he deadpanned.
Ah, at times, he was as clingy as a puppy. Lina could practically see him with black ears and a dark tail. And right now, his dog ears were perked, his tail wagging.
"Your hospitalized wife has normal results. Now go."
"You—"
"I'll be fine," Lina softly said to him, presenting him with a slight smile. Will he ever get sick of fretting over her? She was worried that there would be a frightening moment. One, that'd scar her.
What if he woke up one morning and suddenly decided, screw fate and destiny. Screw everything. A mid-life crisis, if you will. What if one day, Kaden woke up next to her, looked her dead in the eyes, and told her that he was sick of caring for her? What if he said he was tired of living with the same routine and personality?
Men cheated for the very reason of boredom.
"But what about your lunch? I should see to it that you have your favorite dishes and dessert."
"You've already told the nurse."
"Well, just in case—"
"Alright, I'll walk you to the damn door if I have to," Lina mused. His frown deepened at her resolution, but she knew he wouldn't leave until she practically shoved his needy self out the door.
It was exactly what Lina did. She held his hand and dragged him towards the exit. She felt like a dog owner pulling her reluctant Doberman to the vet. He was stubborn the entire way, even when she shoved him out the doors. Just as she closed the door on him, he grabbed it.
"And your daily—"
"Out."
Lina quite literally saw his tail drop. His ears folded and his eyes filled with sulking, he reluctantly released the door. Only then did she slam it shut. Getting rid of her husband was as difficult as telling the salesman to leave.
Lina let out a sigh of relief. She walked back to her bed, just as a knock filled the room and the doors opened again. She held back a groan and saw it was a nurse with a tray of food and neatly folded clothing.
"Mrs. DeHaven, your husband requested for an early lunch and your change of attire to be formally discharged once you finished your meal. He has informed our team that a car is waiting for you downstairs."
To where?
Lina blinked. That darn—
"It has been a pleasure for us to serve you, Mrs. DeHaven and we wish for your speedy recovery. Is there anything else we can assist you with?"
The nurse's very friendly atmosphere made Lina awkwardly smile. She could only nod her head and gesture for where the food and clothing were to go. The nurse quickly obliged with the behavior of a first-class stewardess.
"Thank you," Lina gratefully said, just as the nurse bowed and was excused.
Once alone, Lina dug into the food instantly. Her eyes lit up when she realized it wasn't the typical hospital food. They were real ones from outside! True to Kaden's words, he ordered all of her favorites ranging from a variety of sushi and sashimi to mochi ice cream and lava cakes.
By the time Lian finished eating, she was stuffed and certain she'd be unable to fit into her regular jeans. Her food baby was so large, she felt three months pregnant. Lina sighed and rubbed her satiated belly.
Then, Lina curtly stopped. An overwhelming feeling of loss and remorse chilled her body. This stomach could never be round with a child. At least, not with a man she loved. Her heart stung with the truth. She felt a knife dig deep into her chest. The more she realized either she or Kaden was infertile, the more agony she experienced.
"If only…" Lina felt a lone tear slide down her face. If only she cherished her first life… would that miscarriage have been her one and only child?
The longer Lina sat and pondered this fact, the more she became curious. Out of the two, just who was infertile?
It was the last thing lingering on Lina's thoughts when she stood to her feet and began to dress herself. She stared at the mirror by the couch. Her head spun. Her eyes grew dizzy.
Was that really Lina?
Standing in an unzipped silk skirt and her underwear, Lina quickly ran towards the mirror. She touched her reflection with one hand. Her other rested on her chest, at the exact area she was certain she was shot from.
"How is this possible?" Lina muttered to herself. "Why is there no bullet wound scar?"
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