Chapter 14🍒
Milim sat alone, facing Asher—a man who felt strangely familiar, yet still a stranger. A quiet unease stirred in her chest. She glanced cautiously at him, trying to decipher the intentions behind his calm expression, all while waiting anxiously for Dylan to return.
"How's your health normally?" Asher asked, leaning on his desk casually. "Do you get sick often?"
Milim hesitated for a second, then gave a polite smile. "Not too bad. I catch colds or get a fever maybe twice a year."
Asher nodded thoughtfully. "And your academic performance?"
The question caught her off guard. Even in a hospital, her past seemed to follow her. She wasn't eager to answer, but still replied, "So-so."
"Pfft," Asher chuckled lightly. "Dylan's a schoolmaster. Let's hope your baby takes after him instead."
Milim smiled faintly. Deep down, she honestly wished for the same. She hoped her child would be smart, capable—better than she ever was.
"Do your parents know?" Asher's voice softened, but the question pierced through her like a blade.
Milim shook her head and lowered her gaze, her expression sinking.
Asher saw the change in her mood and sighed inwardly. He decided not to push further. A few moments later, the door opened and Dylan walked in, holding a pristine white medical record book.
He walked over to Milim and examined her with a subtle seriousness. Once assured there were no immediate issues, he turned to Asher. "Arrange for a blood test. Just a small sample."
Asher raised a hand in a lazy OK gesture, opting not to speak. In hospitals, blood was often drawn in large amounts, and some patients—especially frail young women—could faint afterward. Milim had already undergone a test the day before. Seeing the syringe now made her uneasy.
Dylan stood quietly beside her. Her hands clenched behind her back. A brownish-yellow smear of iodine marked her fair skin, the veins on her arm clearly visible. The needle gleamed under the fluorescent lights.
The moment it pierced her skin, Milim winced, her head tilting back involuntarily. Dylan noticed the slight furrow in her brow, the way her lips pressed tightly together.
"All done," Asher said, releasing the tourniquet and handing her a cotton ball. "Press here until the bleeding stops."
He collected the blood sample, then patted Dylan on the shoulder. "Ten minutes. I'll be back." He gestured at the water dispenser nearby. "Get her some warm water."
Dylan put the records down and quickly found a disposable cup, filling it hastily. "Thank you," Milim murmured, accepting the cup and drinking half in one go. Her throat had felt parched for a while.
Dylan glanced at the cotton ball on her arm, as if wanting to say something, but he held his tongue. After she saw the bleeding had stopped, Milim quietly threw the cotton ball away.
The minutes stretched in silence.
Then, in a faint voice, Milim asked, "Do you… really want this child? Will you be good to the baby?"
Fear crept into her tone. She worried about the future. If Dylan married someone else one day, would he still care about her baby?
"Your worry is unnecessary," Dylan said quietly. "No one will mistreat my child."
But in his mind, he thought of his relatives. The moment they heard about the baby, they'd likely lose their minds—though he couldn't blame them. Still, he understood Milim's fears. He didn't even know her family yet.
"What if you have a second child in the future?" she asked, her voice growing softer.
"Second child?" Dylan gave a dry laugh. "You think too much. I probably won't have another child in this life."
Milim looked down. "Are you serious?"
He didn't respond immediately, torn between brushing it off and giving a real answer. Instead, he looked at her and asked, "Are you cold?"
She nodded slightly. "A little."
Without another word, Dylan walked over to the air-conditioning panel and adjusted the temperature to 30 degrees. Pregnant women usually felt warmer, but Milim seemed to be an exception. She had grown more sensitive to the cold and startled easily from loud noises. The changes in her body were becoming increasingly noticeable.
Then, a sudden loud voice echoed, "Dylan!"
It was Asher, returning with the results.
The outburst startled Dylan, his heart leaping in his chest. But seeing Asher's grin from ear to ear gave him a clue before he even spoke.
"Congratulations," Asher said, clapping him on the back. "You're going to be a father."
He then turned to Milim, a warm smile on his face. "Congratulations. You've got a golden bump in your stomach—about five weeks in. The embryo is still tiny, but healthy. Don't stress about follow-ups right away. Let your body adjust for a couple of days. What's most important right now is staying cheerful, eating well, and getting proper sleep. No overthinking."
Milim nodded attentively. "Thank you, Doctor."
"You're welcome," Asher replied.
Dylan, watching the two interact, raised an eyebrow. What happened while he was gone? Milim seemed more relaxed with Asher than expected.
He pushed the thought aside. "What should I watch out for during pregnancy?" he asked.
"There's a lot," Asher admitted. "I'll send you a full document. But in short, she needs close care—especially with food, rest, and emotional support."
"I'll arrange it," Dylan said immediately.
Milim understood what they meant. She couldn't stay with her parents anymore. The reality of moving out and leaving school settled heavily on her.
How can I keep this from them? she thought, biting her lip.
Noticing her troubled expression, Asher warned, "Didn't I say to keep a cheerful mood? Why the frown?" He then gestured to Dylan. "Talk to him. Anything short of bringing stars down, he'll do for you."
Milim looked up at Dylan, then spoke softly, "I don't want my parents to find out. I want to give birth quietly, but I don't know how to hide it."
If I avoid them for a whole year, they'll definitely suspect something.
"That's tough," Asher admitted. "Don't you start school in September? Spend a few days at home now, pretend to go back to campus, and only return before the baby bump shows. You can hide it till winter. Keep your clothes loose."
Dylan frowned the more he listened.
"That won't work," he said. "If she's pregnant, she shouldn't be traveling daily. I'll have someone prepare a house. Tell your parents you've got a new part-time job and need to move."
Milim shook her head. "Summer break's too short. They'll get suspicious. I think I should move out right before school starts."
"I don't agree," Dylan said. "Your symptoms will get worse, and no one will take care of you."
"I can pretend I still work part-time," Milim suggested. "That way, they won't think anything's strange."
Asher nodded. "It's risky, but doable. Dylan, arrange for a driver to take her in the morning and bring her back in the evening. That way it seems normal."
Milim agreed. "Yes, but it's risky traveling every day."
Dylan's jaw tightened. If one of his employees had come up with such a plan, they'd be fired on the spot.
Asher could tell Dylan was boiling. "Forcing her to move in right away won't help. Let her adjust. A pregnant woman's mood is crucial. Stress can affect the baby's health."
Dylan paced in frustration. Could he really send her back and still focus on work?
"There's only twenty days left," Milim whispered. "I'll tell my parents I'm returning to school early."
She had never lived apart from them. It was a huge step.
Asher nodded supportively. "Take your time, Dylan. Don't rush her. She's only 19. Still just a girl."
"…Okay," Dylan said finally. "I'll pick you up personally at seven every morning, and take you back by six."
Milim let out a quiet breath of relief and nodded.
A little after 2 p.m., the two men prepared to leave.
"Thanks for everything today," Dylan said.
"Why are you thanking me?" Asher smiled, patting his shoulder. "Take care of her. I'll call when it's time for the next checkup."
"Got it," Dylan replied, then turned to Milim, offering his hand.
"I don't need it," she said, getting up on her own. She bowed politely to Asher. "Goodbye, Doctor."
"See you again," Asher replied kindly.
Milim walked ahead, trying to appear composed and normal, as if nothing had changed. Behind her, Dylan followed in silence, careful not to touch her.
Asher's warning echoed in his mind: Don't hold her too tightly.