Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 5: You Deliver My Child

The man leaned over her. She felt his weight pressing down, making it difficult for her to breathe.

She reached up, her hands wrapping around Ethan Lancaster’s back. Her palms caressed his feverish skin as she spoke, her voice like a warm, crackling flame. "Fourth Master, you have to be gentle with me."

The man didn’t even look up.

She felt Ethan Lancaster’s movements grow rougher, and Raina’s voice became strained. "Let’s hurry and have a child, okay? Grandpa said he wants a great-grandchild as soon as possible..."

’My intentions are so obvious,’ Raina thought. ’Ethan Lancaster is sure to just storm out.’

"You want a child?" Ethan Lancaster murmured against the corner of her lips.

Raina couldn’t make out his expression. She didn’t dare nod, as the slightest movement would bring her lips against his.

"Mhm," she answered softly.

"Fine. I’ll grant your wish." Ethan Lancaster’s movements were swift and forceful, giving Raina no time for regrets. He raised his upper body slightly, and for the first time, she saw a wild, malicious smile on his face.

She jerked upward, her forehead bumping into Ethan Lancaster’s chin, but it was too late.

’I curse your ancestors a million times over!’ Raina screamed in her mind.

Her fists beat against his body, but Ethan Lancaster caught her slender wrists and pinned them by her sides. "What’s wrong? You don’t look very happy."

Beads of sweat formed on her smooth forehead. Raina struggled, but she couldn’t free her hands.

’Whatever. I’ll just chalk it up to being bitten by a dog.’

’Besides, there’s no point in being squeamish about it. I already agreed to marry him, so what’s this in comparison?’

After some time, Raina was too worn out to move. She squinted, watching the blurry figure before her pull away.

The sound of running water soon came from the bathroom, along with the faint sound of someone talking on the phone.

After his shower, Ethan Lancaster went downstairs. Raina assumed he had left The Verdant Garden, but he returned in less than five minutes.

The man tossed a small box of pills onto the nightstand. "Take this."

Raina opened her eyes to look. It was the morning-after pill.

She sat up and, without a word, took out a pill and swallowed it with some cool water.

Ethan Lancaster was wearing a navy blue robe. He sat casually on the edge of the bed. "What a waste of my time."

She nearly choked on the water.

’What’s that supposed to mean?’

"Raina, you’re like an anesthetized patient on an operating table. Absolutely no fun."

Raina’s brow furrowed. "So the Fourth Master has such peculiar tastes. You must be a regular at the hospital, then."

Ethan Lancaster gave a half-smile and pinched her cheek. "But I’ll give the Reddington family’s daughter this much—at least she was sent over clean."

’Wasn’t she forced on him anyway?’ he thought. ’Might as well take what’s offered.’

After their wedding night, Raina didn’t see Ethan Lancaster again.

She went back to her job at the hospital as usual. She hadn’t told anyone about her marriage, just that she’d needed a few days off for a family matter.

Her morning clinic was so busy she didn’t even have time for a sip of water. It wasn’t until after lunch that she finally had a moment to rest.

There was an urgent knock, and a triage nurse pushed open the office door. "Doctor Reddington, there’s someone here to see you."

Raina glanced at the time. "My afternoon appointments haven’t started yet."

"He says he knows you and insists on being seen right now."

"It doesn’t matter who it is." Raina set her water glass back on the desk. "They can wait in line like everyone else."

The words had barely left her mouth when a man’s voice drifted in. "Not even me?"

Raina’s heart sank. She looked up and saw Ethan Lancaster at the doorway with a young woman on his arm. The mere sight of him made her head ache.

The nurse gestured for them to leave. "It’s not time for appointments yet. Please wait outside. Besides, men are not allowed in here."

"It was your Dr. Reddington who invited me. Ask her if you don’t believe me."

The nurse gave Raina a skeptical look. Raina kept her face impassive, terrified that Ethan Lancaster would say something outrageous and make her the laughingstock of the entire hospital.

"You can go for now."

The nurse nodded. "Alright."

Raina sat back down at her desk. The woman swayed forward, her slender hips swinging. The scent of her perfume filled the small office, nearly suffocating Raina.

"What seems to be the problem?"

"Oh," Ethan Lancaster cut in smoothly. "She’s pregnant."

Raina glanced at the woman’s flat stomach. "Where is her patient file?"

"Do we need a patient file just to see you?" Ethan Lancaster wrapped an arm around the woman’s shoulder, pressing her down into the chair. He then propped himself up on Raina’s desk, swinging a long leg over the side. "Her constitution is a little weak, so you’re going to help her get stronger. Also... when the baby is born, you’ll be the one to deliver it."

’This man is absolutely despicable,’ she thought. ’Now he’s come here to humiliate me so brazenly.’

"No problem at all. Since the Fourth Master brought you here himself, I’ll be sure to give you my full attention." Raina said, standing up. "I’ll need to do a comprehensive exam for the early stage of your pregnancy. Please, follow me."

She walked to the side and pulled back a curtain, revealing the examination room.

The woman glanced over, her expression faltering. Raina took out the necessary instruments for the exam one by one, arranging them on a tray. Seeing the woman still sitting frozen in her chair, Raina slowly and deliberately pulled on a pair of gloves.

The latex of the disposable gloves made a sharp, unpleasant snapping sound as her fingers slid in. The woman’s eyes darted to the examination table, and she quickly tugged on Ethan Lancaster’s sleeve. "I don’t want an exam."

Raina’s patience was wearing thin. "Prenatal exams are mandatory. You wouldn’t want to fail the Fourth Master’s superior genes, would you?"

"I... I know my baby is fine. He’s perfectly healthy."

Raina took a step forward, her gloved hands held up. Her words were clearly meant to stir up trouble. "Did you hear that, Fourth Master? This is the Lancaster family’s firstborn grandson we’re talking about, yet she doesn’t seem to care at all. Utterly irresponsible. By the way, does your mother know she’s pregnant? Should I give her a call and let her know?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

At this, a sharp, cold glint flashed in Ethan Lancaster’s eyes, and his gaze locked onto Raina’s face.

Raina smiled and continued, "Fourth Master, you should persuade her. Don’t waste my time." After speaking, she picked up an instrument from the tray and tapped it against her palm.

The woman shook her head. When she had agreed to Ethan Lancaster’s plan, he had certainly never mentioned that she would have to lie on a table and be tormented by Raina.

Ethan Lancaster pointed a finger toward the examination table, his expression darkening.

The woman clutched her handbag and scurried away, her high heels clattering on the floor.

Well, that was awkward.

The slam of the door echoed in the room. Raina gave an innocent shrug, pulling off the disposable gloves and tossing them into the trash. "Aren’t you going to chase her, Fourth Master? Pregnant women are so delicate. If she were to fall or bump into something, you’d be the one with a broken heart."

Ethan Lancaster glanced around the office. It wasn’t large, and in his eyes, it was rather shabby. "If you take the initiative and ask me for a divorce, I’ll give you your own hospital. What do you say?"

Raina didn’t even bat an eye. "A hospital, no matter how nice, can’t compare to the money in your hands, Fourth Master. We’re a married couple now. What’s yours is mine."

A wicked, cold smile played on his lips. "So even if my behavior is completely outrageous, you still don’t care, is that it?"