My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 121: Just a Mother Learning

The sharp, sterile smell of disinfectant filled Katherine’s nose the moment the clinic doors swung open. Her arms tightened instinctively around Nathan, whose tiny head was nestled against her shoulder, his small body feverishly warm. Maya whimpered softly in Felix’s arms, her flushed cheeks damp from earlier crying.

Katherine’s throat was dry, her hands clammy. Her chest squeezed so tightly it felt like someone had wrapped chains around her ribs. Her babies were sick—both of them.

She blinked rapidly, willing herself not to cry again. She had already broken down twice since leaving the house. Her eyes burned, but there was no time for tears now.

Felix reached for the check-in counter, one hand juggling Maya while the other fished for his wallet and ID. "Appointment for Maya and Nathan Anderson," he told the receptionist. His voice was calm, collected—a steady anchor in Katherine’s storm of panic.

The receptionist nodded with a polite smile. "Please have a seat. The doctor will be with you shortly."

Katherine numbly followed Felix to the waiting area, sinking into one of the rigid plastic chairs. Nathan whimpered in her arms, his tiny fists curling into the fabric of her cardigan. His breathing sounded congested—little wheezes and rattles that made her gut twist in dread.

Her fingers trembled as she stroked his soft baby hair. "Shh... it’s okay, baby... Mommy’s here..." But even as she whispered it, she wasn’t sure if it was for Nathan or for herself.

Beside her, Felix adjusted Maya in his arms. Her tiny body was curled into him, her flushed face buried against his chest. "Poor thing..." he murmured, softly patting her back, his brows drawn together in worry.

Katherine let out a shaky breath and rubbed Nathan’s back, her voice cracking. "I... I don’t know what to do, Felix. What if—what if it’s something serious? What if..." Her throat squeezed shut, and tears gathered in her eyes again.

"Hey." Felix’s free hand landed on her knee, squeezing gently. "Breathe. Look at me, Kath."

She sniffled, lifting watery eyes to meet his.

"You’re doing fine. You did the right thing bringing them here. We’re gonna figure it out, okay? Together." His voice was calm but firm, like he was anchoring both of them.

Katherine shook her head, wiping her tears quickly with the back of her hand. "But... but they’re both sick. What kind of mother lets both her babies get sick?"

"Stop it." His tone sharpened just a little—not out of anger but to break through her spiral. "You are an amazing mom, Kath. This... this happens. Babies get sick. They have tiny immune systems. You’re doing exactly what you should. You noticed something was wrong, and you brought them here."

Nathan coughed against her shoulder, a weak, wet little sound that made her heart splinter all over again.

Katherine rocked him gently, biting her lower lip until it hurt. "God... they’re so small, Felix. So tiny. What if..."

"We’ll figure it out." His voice softened again, thumb brushing circles against her knee. "Hey. You’ve got me, okay? You don’t have to do this alone."

That broke something in her. Her lip trembled, and a tear slipped down her cheek before she quickly swiped it away. "Thank you... I..." Her throat clogged. "I really don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here."

Felix gave her a crooked, reassuring smile. "Then it’s lucky you’ve got me, huh?" He shifted Maya slightly so she was nestled more securely against him, her little hands clutching his shirt as though even in her feverish haze, she didn’t want to let go.

Katherine glanced down at Nathan. His eyelids fluttered, half-lidded, his breathing uneven but still steady. She pressed a kiss to his warm forehead. "Shh... Mommy’s here... We’re here..."

"Miss Anderson? Mr. Crawford?" A nurse peeked out from behind the door. "You can come in now."

Katherine stood, knees shaking as she rose, and Felix immediately stepped in to steady her with a hand at her lower back. Together, they followed the nurse down the hallway into the exam room.

The pediatrician was an older man, kind-eyed and warm. "Well now, look at these two sweet peas," he greeted as he pulled on a pair of gloves. "Let’s get them feeling better, shall we?"

Felix carefully lowered Maya onto the exam table, murmuring reassurances as her tiny face crumpled in protest. "It’s okay, baby girl... shh..."

Katherine gently laid Nathan beside her sister, her hands hovering anxiously as the doctor started his examination. Her nails dug into her palms.

The doctor worked methodically, checking temperatures, listening to heartbeats, peering into tiny ears and throats. "Mild fevers... slight congestion..." he murmured as he worked. He glanced at Felix and Katherine, offering a gentle smile. "Nothing alarming so far."

Katherine’s hands clutched the edge of the table. "But... the coughing... their fevers..."

He nodded, kindly but confident. "A mild viral infection. Very common in infants. Their immune systems are still developing. It’s frightening, I know... but this is something that will pass with some rest, fluids, and infant fever medication. You both caught it early."

A ragged breath whooshed out of her lungs. She sagged against the chair as though her bones had turned to water.

"Oh, thank God..." she whispered, hands trembling as she pressed them to her face.

Felix exhaled too, visibly relaxing for the first time. "You hear that?" he said softly, brushing a thumb over Maya’s little cheek. "Nothing serious. They’re okay, Kath."

Katherine nodded quickly, blinking away tears. "Yeah... yeah..." Her gaze fell on Nathan, who blinked up at her with glassy, fevered eyes. "Mommy’s got you... Mommy’s got you, baby..." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Once the checkup was finished and they had the medication instructions, Felix gathered Maya back into his arms while Katherine scooped up Nathan.

As Felix helped buckle Maya into her car seat, he glanced at Katherine over the roof of the car. "See? You didn’t mess anything up. You’re an amazing mom, Kat."

She swallowed hard, her eyes stinging. "No... no, I’m not. I was terrified, Felix. I... I didn’t know what to do. I—I panicked. I cried."

"Exactly." Felix grinned softly, closing the car door with a gentle click. "That means you care. That means you love them so much it physically hurts. That’s what makes you an incredible mom."

Her hands trembled as she tightened Nathan’s car seat straps. "I... I really don’t know what I would’ve done if I had to do this alone."

Felix’s gaze softened, his entire posture shifting—open, steady, reassuring. He rounded the car and paused right beside her. "Then it’s a good thing you’re not alone." His voice was low but sure. "I told you before, Katherine. You’ve got me. You always will."