The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 282

Chapter 249: Hospital saga

Bella POV

I sat up a little straighter, frowning at him gently. “Tom, what have I told you about taking things from strangers? And you didn’t even tell me about it.”

Tom dropped his eyes to his lap, his shoulders slumping down. He nervously tapped the corner of his plastic folder. “I am sorry, Mommy. I forgot.”

“Linda is very nice, but you cannot take food from people unless I say it is okay first,” I said, keeping my voice soft but firm. “Never do it again, okay?”

“Yes, Mom,” Tom whispered, looking up at me with his big grey eyes. “I promise.”

た

“Okay. Thank you for apologizing,” I said, kissing the top of his head. “Now, show me what you are reading.”

He pulled out his homework book, and spread it across my blankets. For the next hour, he read his school book out loud. Every now and then, he paused, leaning his head all the way down to press his ear against my big, round stomach.

“I think the baby likes this story,” Tom whispered, keeping his face pressed to my skin. “The baby moved right when the train started moving.” He paused, looking up at me with bright eyes. “My brother is going to love trains too.”

“We still do not know if it is a brother or a sister, Tom,” I said, smiling down at him and tapping his nose. “It is a surprise, remember?”

Tom looked up, his dark eyes very serious. “I know, but I told the baby I am the big brother anyway.”

“I am sure the baby already knows,” I said.

Tom considered this for a moment, then nodded, and went right back to pointing at the words in his book.

On Saturday morning, the door opened wide. Grace came toddling down the sterile hallway, her bright red shoes squeaking softly against the linoleum. She walked with sturdy, confident steps now, her tiny hand holding onto Diana’s finger.

Diana walked into the room, dressed in a sharp grey coat. “She refused to let me carry her from the elevator,” Diana said by way of greeting, her voice flat but her eyes warm. “She wanted to walk the whole way.”

Grace stopped at the side of my bed, her big, serious eyes tracking the blinking lights on the fetal monitor. She gave the plastic machine a long, dignified nod, as if she approved of it.

Caleb, who had been sitting quietly in the corner chair reading through paperwork, set his tablet aside and stood up. He walked over to the side of the bed just as Grace reached up.

“Mama,” Grace said, her voice small and clear.

Caleb lifted her up instantly, placing her gently on the mattress next to my hip. She did not squirm or kick.

She seemed to know about the IV line in my hand, avoiding it entirely as she snuggled her warm, solid

Chapter 242 #ospital caga

little body right against my side.

Cla

Diana sat down in the visitor’s chair, unbuttoning her coat as she looked from Grace over to her younger brother. She took in the heavy exhaustion on Caleb’s face, a teasing glint appearing in her eyes.

“Look at you, poor baby,” Diana said, her voice dripping with dry amusement. “Your eyes are as dark as a midnight sky.”

I couldn’t help but smile down at Grace, leaning back against my pillows.

Caleb scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Mind your business, Diana.”

“Oh, look at our intense lover boy,” Diana countered, completely unfazed by his glare.

“Leave me alone,” Caleb muttered. He shook his head, turned on his heel, and walked straight out of the hospital room, closing the door behind him.

Diana watched him go with a satisfied smirk, then turned back toward the bed and looked around the room. “The house helper is coming by tomorrow with more of your clothes. I told her exactly what to pack.”

“Thank you, Diana,” I said. “For everything. Having you in town since Tom’s birthday has been a lifesaver, especially with Maya away.”

“Maya called me before she boarded her flight for that doctor’s conference,” Diana replied, leaning back. “She was furious she had to leave right when you were admitted. I told her to focus on her lectures and leave the children to me.”

Right on cue, my phone began to buzz on the bedside table. Maya’s face flashed on the screen. I slid the bar to answer, placing it on speaker.

“Bella!” Maya’s voice came through loud, filling the quiet hospital room. “Tell me you are resting. If I see your name on any corporate emails, I am flying there myself to spank you.”

“I am resting, Maya,” I said, leaning my head back against the pillow while Grace played with my fingers. “The pressure is down. I promise.”

“Good,” Maya sighed, and I could hear the loud noise of an airport terminal in her background. “Dr. Okafor texted me the chart notes. Your cervix is stable for now, but you need to stay completely calm. I will be back in town by Tuesday evening. Do not let Caleb let you out of that bed.”

“He won’t,” I laughed softly. “He has built a whole fortress in the corner.”

The weekend drifted by in that quiet, sterile rhythm. Visitors came and went, keeping the dark anxiety at bay, but by Sunday evening, the room grew completely calm again.

The children had gone home with Diana for dinner, Caleb had stepped down to the cafeteria to grab a tea, and the sun was setting outside the window, casting long, gray shadows across the floorboards.

I was just staring out at the fading light, rubbing a slow hand over my stomach, when my phone rang again on the mattress. This time, it was Sebastien.

“Dad,” I said, pulling the phone close.

Chapter 249 Most capa

“Bella,” his voice came through, deep and calm. How are you feeling tonight? How is the pain?”

“It is much better,” I told him honestly. “The ache is gone as long as I stay flat. The baby is moving around

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