After she was transferred to a new room, he called Ryan to buy him some personal stuff and fruits. Maybe some food, too.

Sir, it’s Sunday. Ryan was tempted to say. Alright, he’s being paid anyway. He was surprised to be directed into a hospital, though.

Ryan’s eyes widened at seeing Ms. Jill. She’s really back. Of course, she would be the only one capable of ending his boss’ questionable ways. His earlier guess was right.

“Anything wrong with her, sir? When did she return?” He quietly asked as he arranged the things he brought on a table.

“This morning. She’s fine.” Josh still maintained his eyes on her. He’s pretty much watching her breathing.

When Ryan was gone, he finally allowed himself to sit beside her. The bed was big enough. He reached out a hand to take the transparent envelope containing her documents. A corner of an ultrasound image jumped at him and his heart skipped a beat. Was he excited? He slowly opened the envelope to take it out. There’s not much to see. Just a tiny round thing in the middle of the photo. He found himself smiling. When he read the attached document, though, his heart dropped. His eyes quickly scanned everything, then decided he should read it again. And again. He checked the dates. She was already two weeks pregnant when she left, if the dates were any indicator. He felt his heart being squeezed at reading her medical report on a threatened miscarriage. And the date on it. He almost couldn’t breathe. Why is he an idiot? Why is he so stupid?

She went through it alone. And then, their last conversation returned to him. She should hate him. She must hate him. And yet, she’s here. She still returned. She wanted to talk to him, and what did he do? He continued to hurt her.

He held her hand and caressed it lightly. Wake up, please. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please, take me back. Please give me another chance.

He would plead with her.

It was mid-afternoon when she woke up, her head aching. She groaned as she opened her eyes, stretching her limbs in the process, too. For a moment, she couldn’t tell where she is. She sat up immediately, startling Josh who was reading a small book from her envelope.

“Hey, you okay?” He asked as he went over near her.

Jill’s heart squeezed at seeing him. She smiled wryly. She didn’t speak for a while, her mind clearing.

“Did you bring the divorce papers? Can’t wait for me to sign?” She clearly remembers their phone call, her voice laced with her usual sarcasm. She’s blaming it on hormones, but her eyes watered. She’s too angry at him. She’d endured enough. She’d tried to understand him and he still let her down. She’s done. She’s done with him. She wants that divorce to happen now.

Josh stiffened at her words. Seeing her tears, he couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and wiping them away. Jill grabbed his hand with a glare.

“What are you doing?” Yes, she’s definitely angry at him.

Apologize now, dimwit. He scolded himself.

“I’m sorry. I apologize for everything I did. I was… there’s no excuse. It was my fault. Everything’s my fault. Will you forgive me?”

She’s surprised at how quick he admitted his faults and apologized. She frowned. What? To be honest, the most hurtful thing she heard from him… is him mentioning another woman.

“Where do I sign?” She asked in a sigh, tempted to lay back down on the bed.

“There’s nothing to sign.” He stated in a tight tone.

“When do I sign, then? Can’t you ask Ryan to bring it here? Now?” She just wanted it to be over with. She can’t handle an emotional stress at the moment. She’s blaming the pregnancy hormones if that happens.

“There’s nothing to sign.”

Her reaction told him he used the wrong tone. He doesn’t want a divorce. He deeply breathed before continuing, his voice turning gentler.

“There’s nothing to sign. There’s no divorce. I love you. Let’s stay together.” Oh, how he missed her, telling her he loves her. Maybe his hurt did overpower his love. But now, he only loves her.

It was her turn to have a tightened expression. He didn’t sound like he was joking earlier. She raised an eyebrow at him.

“I was wrong to say those things. I didn’t mean them.” He knew what went on her head. When her expression softened, he thought she forgave him. Boy was he wrong.

“If it’s about the baby, I’m sure you can get visitation rights.” When their call earlier ended, she knew she couldn’t actually keep him out of their daughter’s life. At most, he will be granted visitation rights. Her heart ached for their poor child, who won’t have both her parents. And really, she might just go back to her own country.

“You’re wealthy enough to fly once a month, right? Maybe six times a year…”

“No.” His refusal was firm. “Jill, please. I already said I’m sorry. I was wrong. I don’t want a divorce. I want you. Us together. You and me, and the baby. Stay with me, please.”

“What about the woman waiting for you? Ditched her already?”

Josh hesitated. Should he lie? Cheating is a big deal. Even if she wasn’t around during those months, they’re clearly married. Seeing her broken expression, like she knew already… he had no choice but to answer honestly.

“Yes. She’s gone. I’m sorry.” It hurt him to see her reaction, quickly looking away from him. It was clearly despair, then she cried silently.

He went to embrace her, but she struggled.

“Sweetheart…”

“Let go.”

“I’m sorry.” He should cry, too. He can’t lose her.

As she struggled in his embrace, he could clearly hear her sobs as she cries.

“You’re a jerk.”

“I know.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“I know.” He would accept anything she says.

“I hate you.”

Okay, maybe not that.

He carefully caressed her head, her hair. “I love you.” He whispered against her ears.

When she stopped speaking, he repeated that phrase over and over as she cries. She weakly pounds on his chest. It doesn’t hurt as much as he feels inside him. He kissed her hair a few times.

The reality is starting to sink in to him. She’s back. And he’s got a lot of groveling to do.

With her personality and the current state of things, it’s unlikely that she would forgive him so soon. He went over the line. It would be easier to forgive if they weren’t married, but they are. All the things he did in the past before they met, she could accept and ignore them. But this one he did while they’re married? She has her own bottom line. He might have crossed it.

When she stopped struggling against him, he slightly tightened his embrace, savoring the feel of her against him.

Her occasional sniff is what tells him she’s still awake.

“Do you want to rest more? Lie down first.” He finally freed her, so she covered herself with the blanket to hide from him. It’s sad that she actually finds his presence comforting. If this was before, she would definitely find him comforting and she would want to stay in his embrace. This is not that time. He reached over to let a hand rest on her body, it could be her waist.

She was surprised to feel the bed dip and he laid next to her. His hand still on her hip.

“What are you doing?” She peeked, showing only her eyes to him.

“I missed you.”

Why does he keep squeezing her heart? That can’t be good for her health.

She didn’t answer him. She only hid again without responding.

She was tempted to yell at him when he pulled her close to him and embraced her in this position. It made her yelp. She turned on her back, her stomach feeling a little uncomfortable. She couldn’t breathe properly under the blanket so she had no choice but to remove it from her face. Her eyes closed as she tries to breathe evenly. Josh watched her.

He resolved that he would do everything to get back with her. His hand inched upward until he could distinguish the bump on her stomach. The nurse earlier told him that baby bumps starts to show at five months, then it will start growing bigger as the baby develops further. After he went through her records, he went to find her doctor to ask questions about her condition. He had to make sure she’s fine. He had to know what she needs and what to avoid as well. While she sleeps, he did a search on pregnancy and child birth.

Jill was tickled when he started caressing her stomach. She grabbed his hand before pushing it away with an irritated grunt. A little later, he tried putting it back, but he kept his hand still. He did know that she’s ticklish.

It felt a little weird, though. His hand hang like that. He gently started tapping her. Soft taps that in no way would be felt by the baby. Maybe. He hoped so or something. He waited for her reaction but nothing happened. Maybe she’s asleep.

Impulsively, he leaned over and gently kissed her lips. It was only for a moment. He missed kissing her but he held back this time. Maybe not. He kissed her again. And again.

He missed her so much. His tongue ran along between her lips and invaded the inside of her mouth. She groaned as she opened her eyes, her mouth already responding to his kiss. Seeing he had his eyes closed, she did, too. Oh, how much could she feel from this kiss?