Chapter 4

4: 4

4

At the hospital, my wife gripped my arm tight.

"Asher, I hate hospitals more than anything. You can't leave. You have to stay with me."

She was dead set on keeping me from the bid.

When the doctor examined her, she even started vomiting.

In the end they had to put her on an IV.

The doctor shook his head and scolded her.

"You know you're on your period. Why would you eat so much cold stuff?"

"You really don't take care of yourself."

"And you, her husband, honestly. You should keep an eye on your wife."

After the lecture, I took her over to get the IV started.

Even then, I never let go of my briefcase.

"Regina, I called Mom. I asked her to come sit with you."

"Once she's here, I'll go."

At that, my wife glanced up at the big screen in the hospital lobby. She was checking the time.

There was still an hour before the bid started.

The drive from the hospital to the venue was only twenty minutes.

"Asher, I don't want anyone else. I only want you."

Her voice was weak, but there was still that faint pleading in it.

Her phone buzzed in my hand.

I glanced at it. A message from Sebastian.

【Regina, I'm already here. Once I win the bid, let's celebrate together.】

My hand paused. I pretended I hadn't seen a thing and handed the phone back to her.

"Your phone buzzed, I think."

She took it, then shot me a guilty look.

Just then my mother came hurrying over.

"Regina, are you all right?"

"Asher, don't you have the bid today? Go, quickly."

I nodded and got ready to leave.

But my wife suddenly stood up and grabbed my arm.

"Asher, don't go. Stay here."

"Is some bid really more important than me?"

"There'll be other projects for you down the line."

"If you insist on going today, then I'll know you don't care about me at all."

"And there's no point in this marriage going on."

Her expression was oddly firm, her eyes shining with tears.

I let out a sigh and gave a helpless shrug.

"All right, Regina. I'll stay with you."

For the rest of the time she never let go of my hand, terrified I'd leave.

The moment the bid's end time came and went, she breathed out and her whole body eased.

I got a message from Peter.

【Mr. Gilbert, we won the bid.】

My wife's phone started buzzing like mad too. It was Sebastian calling.

She pulled a smile onto her lips and answered.