Chapter 330
330:
Collin’s anxiety was palpable, and Dominic let out a helpless sigh. Worry was clearly clouding Collin’s judgment.
Just as Collin’s impatience peaked, Linsey finally opened the door, barely a second after the knock.
“How did it go?” Collin asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Linsey’s face was tight with tension as she held up the pregnancy test for him to see. As he saw the troubled look on her face, Collin’s heart tightened in his chest.
“Collin, I’m not pregnant.”
With those words, Collin finally noticed the single line on the test—it was negative. Linsey’s face reflected a mixture of emotions, hard to pinpoint.
When she first suspected she might be pregnant, there had been a glimmer of hope, however fleeting. But it was much ado about nothing.
Dominic’s voice cut through the silence, calm and reassuring. “If it’s not pregnancy, then it’s probably just a mild stomach issue.”
Linsey nodded, the weight lifting a little. “I haven’t been sleeping well, and dinner was too greasy. That’s probably what made me feel sick.”
Josh quickly intervened. “I’ll have the kitchen whip up something lighter for you.” He silently regretted mentioning pregnancy earlier. If he hadn’t, none of this confusion would have happened. He had gotten both Linsey’s and Collin’s hopes up, only to have them dashed. Dominic, unaffected by the couple’s emotional turmoil, handed Linsey some stomach medicine, then quietly gathered his medical kit and left.
Later that evening, Linsey ate a simple meal, took the medicine Dominic had prescribed, and went to her room to freshen up and rest. As she settled into bed, Collin gently tucked the covers around her. Looking up at him, Linsey whispered softly, “Collin, I’m so sorry.”
Collin furrowed his brow. “Why are you apologizing?”
Linsey buried her face in the blanket, her voice barely audible. “I’m not pregnant. Are you disappointed? You seemed like you really wanted a child.”
Collin raised an eyebrow, a small glimmer of amusement in his eyes. He gently brushed a few stray hairs from her cheek, his voice warm. “You’ve got it all wrong. I don’t even like kids.”
Linsey’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? Are you just saying that to make me feel better?”
Seeing her disbelief, Collin let out a soft sigh and explained patiently, “I don’t like kids, but I wouldn’t mind having one with you. The thought of a child who takes after you makes it… a lot less unappealing.”
He took a moment before continuing, his tone serious. “But pregnancy isn’t easy. I’ve heard it’s uncomfortable for most of those nine months. I don’t want you to go through that. Honestly, I don’t see this as bad news. If anything, I feel a little relieved.”
Linsey looked at him, and after seeing the honesty in his eyes, she finally understood. If that was how he truly felt, then that was all that mattered.
Collin watched Linsey’s gentle, calm expression, and something in his chest softened. With a smile, he asked, “How about you? Is having a child something you want?”
Linsey paused, her thoughts swirling before she spoke. “I prefer to take things as they come,” she said, her voice tinged with a mix of resolve and wistfulness. “I’ve always dreamed of a warm, loving family. But right now, our priority is to work hard and save enough to create a nurturing environment for our future child.”
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