Chubby Mommy: Scheming Daddy, Surrender Now!-Chapter 130: Ethan Sterling’s Patience

Ethan Sterling came home, took a quick shower, and stood in the walk-in closet for a while. He chose a white crew-neck sweatshirt as an undershirt and put on a dark blue casual suit. He scrutinized himself in the mirror for a long time before heading out.

It was clear from his outfit that he wasn’t going to the office.

*

It was past nine in the morning when Honey finally woke up. After Dr. Lawson performed a series of examinations on her, he helped Ruby Sullivan put on a sterile gown and led her into the ICU.

There were many wires attached to Honey’s body, and the ECG monitor beeped continuously. Though not loud, each beep tugged at the heartstrings.

Her complexion was very pale, and her lips lacked color. A nurse had just given her some water, but her lips still looked dry.

Ruby Sullivan looked at her daughter with heartache, unsure of what to say. She wanted the nurse to give her more water, but was refused.

"She can have some porridge later," Dr. Lawson said in response.

Honey quickly said, with understanding, "Mom, I’m not thirsty." Her voice was very hoarse, a stark contrast to her usual sweet, clear voice. Her smile was also laborious, as if pulling at the corners of her mouth drained all her energy.

"When the time comes, the nurse will call you. It’s best not to let her talk too much," Dr. Lawson advised, and then left the intensive care unit with the nurse.

In truth, Ruby Sullivan had no idea what to say. She just wanted to look at her more, to see her a few more times.

Honey could read the emotion on her face, and her own eyebrows drooped slightly, "Mom, is it because I ate too much meat that I’m in the hospital?"

Ruby Sullivan immediately shook her head, forgetting last night’s upset, "Honey, don’t overthink it. You just had a nosebleed, that’s all. Every kid gets a nosebleed once in a while."

Honey said slowly, "I feel relieved hearing that." While she didn’t understand many things, she was very aware of her own illness. She knew she was different from others and recognized that her return to the hospital was due to her illness flaring up again.

She initially wanted to tell her mom that she knew everything, but upon seeing her mother’s face, she changed her mind.

Mom, Honey has her little secrets. It’s not that I’m lying to you on purpose; I just don’t want to see you sad.

She worked hard to pull up the corners of her mouth into a smile.

Ruby Sullivan smoothed out the hair stuck to her cheek, changing the subject, "The doctor said you could move to a regular ward by noon. Seth and Vivian will come to see you in the afternoon."

Honey nodded, "Tell Seth and Vivian that I’m okay."

"Don’t worry, Mom will pass the message on."

At this moment, a nurse came to the door and reminded Ruby Sullivan, letting Honey sleep a bit longer while she waited outside.

Due to her status, the nurse invited her to sit at the nurse’s station, promising that she’d be the first to know if anything happened, but Ruby Sullivan politely refused. She wanted to stand by the door, so she could peek in once Honey fell asleep.

The nurse then brought her a chair, suggesting she could sit when tired.

*

At noon, Ethan Sterling had booked a sumptuous lunch in an upscale private club. Each dish was meticulously prepared. He also arrived fifteen minutes early to wait quietly for the person to come.

The appointed time passed, and the person he was waiting for still hadn’t shown up.

A waiter knocked on the door on time, "Mr. Sterling, shall we start serving?"

Ethan Sterling nodded.

In less than ten minutes, the table was filled, yet the awaited guest still hadn’t arrived.

He patiently watched the dishes gradually cool down, the expression in his eyes shifting from calm to icy.

At that moment, his phone vibrated. He glanced at the name on the screen, paused for a few seconds, then picked it up, "Hello."

"Ethan, I’m so sorry. Something came up at work at the last minute, and I can’t join you for lunch today," Rhonda Sullivan’s voice over the phone lacked the previous cautiousness and sincerity, instead carrying a faint hint of triumph that wasn’t easily detected.

Very well. Ethan Sterling thought to himself, a cold smile curling his lips, "Are you sure?"

The authority in his indifferent tone, which commanded respect without anger, made Rhonda Sullivan freeze on the other end of the line. She gripped the phone tightly, pressing her lips, overwhelmed with anxiety.

Ultimately, discarding Dr. L’s words, she hesitantly asked, "Would you mind waiting for me a bit longer? Maybe... maybe another half an hour."

"Alright." Ethan Sterling said this and hung up, biting his lower lip hard, his gaze growing even colder.

Sitting on the sofa, Rhonda Sullivan touched her slightly rounded belly, secretly delighted, pressing her lips in a smile for a long time before picking a cherry from the plate and popping it into her mouth, even singing with joy.

Ethan Sterling was hers, and no one could take him away.

Nearly another hour passed before Rhonda Sullivan appeared at the private room door, wearing an apologetic smile, standing there as if she couldn’t believe Ethan Sterling had actually waited so long for her.

"Ethan..." she called tentatively, worried he might be angry, filled with anxiety.

Ethan Sterling, seeing her standing motionlessly at the door, raised an eyebrow, "Not coming in?"

She then slowly walked in, gently closing the door. Rhonda Sullivan hesitated for a moment and then sat as far away from him as possible, "Why did you want to see me?"

Ethan Sterling exhaled deeply, crossing both arms over the table, "It’s been a long time since we had a meal together. I prepared some dishes you like, just wanted to have a meal with you, that’s all."

He looked at her, with no blame in his eyes, only regret.

Rhonda Sullivan was stunned, asking in disbelief, "That’s all?"

Ethan Sterling smiled helplessly, "Now that you’re carrying my child, what else can I do?"

Rhonda Sullivan looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes, covering her belly, she said excitedly, "I knew you had feelings for me, I just knew..."

She knew he’d change his mind, for the sake of their child!

After the last incident, she found out Ruby Sullivan’s child was sick. Further investigation revealed that the child wouldn’t survive to adulthood without a bone marrow transplant. Even if they found a match, the outcome was uncertain.

How could Ethan Sterling not want a child of his own? If the one she was carrying was a boy, undoubtedly, he’d be the next heir to The Sterling Family, whereas Seth, no matter how smart, could only pave the way for her son...

In an instant, Rhonda Sullivan envisioned her proud and wealthy future as she rose in status due to her child, nearly crying with joy.

She had endured so long, stayed by his side through thick and thin, suffering many hardships and humiliations, yet it was all worth it in the end.

"Aren’t you happy?" Ethan Sterling didn’t quite understand her expression.

Rhonda Sullivan quickly shook her head, "Happy, I’m... really happy."

He nodded, "That’s good. From now on, have your checkups at Mercy; it’s reassuring. If you can’t find me, you can directly contact Howard. I’ve been quite busy lately." With that, he got up, "Have you had lunch yet?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "I have some things to attend to, so I won’t be walking you out."

After speaking, he quickly exited the box, the last trace of tenderness in his eyes quickly vanishing.

Rhonda Sullivan looked down, caressing her stomach, dreaming of the life ahead. She thought, this time, she had to be patient, not only to take back The Sullivan Group but also to make Ruby Sullivan disappear from Ethan Sterling’s life once more.

Five years ago, she wasn’t her match, and now, she still isn’t.