<h4>Chapter 429: Concealing the Illness</h4>


    In the afternoon, E sat on the hospital bed, staring at the report in her hands. Her face was clouded with a somber expression. She took a deep breath, her reddened eyes betraying the tears threatening to fall, though she quickly wiped them away.


    "Dad, I want to call Eric. I’ll exin everything to him myself," E said, ncing at Lucas.


    Lucas, visibly fatigued, looked at her with concern. "But... your emotions..."


    "Don’t worry, I’ll stay calm," E replied with a faint smile. Her delicate, pale fingers brushed over the imaging reports. Luke cast her a long, pained nce before turning and leaving the room.


    "Alright then, call him and exin. Also... this ce is safe. You don’t need to worry about anything," Lucas said meaningfully.


    E nodded slowly, her face calm andposed.


    As Lucas left, he closed the door behind him, sealing off all outside noise.


    E picked up her phone and dialed Eric’s number.


    When Eric answered, he sounded surprised. "What’s the matter? Are you so bored that you had to call me? E, you’re being disobedient again. Didn’t I tell you not to use your phone?"


    His voice was gentle, though tinged with a trace of reproach.


    E smiled faintly, a hint of sorrow shing across her brows, but she quickly suppressed it.


    "It’s nothing. I just needed to call you for something. I promise, once I’m done, I’ll hand my phone back to Dad and won’t touch it again."


    "What’s going on? I called Mrs. Harris earlier, and she sounded evasive," Eric asked, his tone growing concerned.


    E’s smile brightened, though it carried a bittersweet quality. "It’s really nothing... I just felt a little unwell, and the doctor suggested I stay in the hospital for monitoring during the pregnancy."


    "What?" Eric eximed, clearly rmed. Hospitalization during pregnancy was a serious matter.


    "It’s just anemia, nothing to worry about!" E reassured him quickly. "Dad was worried I might faint at home, and since they wouldn’t know how to handle an emergency, he decided to bring me to the hospital."


    "Alright, I’lle over right away. It’s almost lunchtime anyway, so we can eat together."


    With that, Eric hung up.


    E clutched her phone tightly, feeling the weariness in his voice. Her grip tightened slightly as a wave of guilt and worry washed over her.


    Half an hourter, Eric arrived, bringing her favorite dishes to enjoy during her pregnancy.


    Lucas and Luke had left temporarily, leaving E and Eric to have lunch together in the hospital room.


    "Why do you look so pale?" Eric asked, noticing herplexion. He reached out gently to touch her forehead.


    Her temperature was normal, but her face was noticeably pale.


    E gave a faint, bitter smile. "It’s nothing... The doctor said it’s just anemia. I guess I didn’t take good care of myself before."


    Eric studied her face skeptically, searching her eyes for any signs of dishonesty. Seeing nothing but sincerity, he nodded slightly.


    "In that case, you need to be more careful from now on. I’ve asked the chef to prepare meals and soups specifically for pregnant women. Even if you don’t feel like eating, you should still have some. The soup will help with blood nourishment and energy."


    Eric gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Why haven’t you tied your hair back? It’s inconvenient while eating."


    He stood up, grabbed a clip from beside her, and carefully pinned her long hair back.


    E’s lips curved into a soft smile. This man loved her so much...


    His movements were gentle, as if afraid of hurting her hair.


    Once he finished, Eric sat back beside her. "Thepany’s been busy, so I mighte a bitter tonight to keep youpany."


    "If you’re too busy, go home and rest. I’m worried you might not befortable staying here," E said softly.


    Eric shook his head firmly, signaling that it wasn’t a problem.


    E frowned slightly but chose not to argue. Her appetite wasn’t great, but Eric didn’t seem surprised; he figured it was normal for a pregnant woman to experience loss of appetite.


    After lunch, Eric stayed with her on the balcony, chatting about lighthearted topics. He deliberately avoided any mention of Tiffany. In his mind, E shouldn’t know about any of it.


    Leaning on his shoulder, E gazed listlessly at the scenery outside. The autumn sunlight was warm, taking the edge off the asional chilly breeze that swept by.


    "You shouldn’t be using your phone anymore. I’m confiscating it!" Eric suddenly remembered something and took E’s phone away.


    He was worried she might browse the inte out of boredom and stumble upon news about Tiffany.


    E pouted and mumbled, "How could you do that? I’m so bored here... so, so bored!"


    "If you’re bored, read some books—especially ones about prenatal care," Eric replied with a smile. "I’ve already asked John to gather some for you. They’ll be delivered tomorrow."


    E frowned. "I don’t feel up to reading right now..."


    "If you don’t have the energy to read, how can you have the energy to y on your phone?" Eric countered.


    E didn’t reply, simply pursing her lips as she tightly gripped Eric’s hand. "Eric, if there’s a next life—or the life after that—I want to meet you in every lifetime... to fall in love, and to grow old with you."


    Eric chuckled, gently pinching her cheek. "Why are you saying such strange things all of a sudden? Is it because I’m the perfect, always-thoughtful husband, and you’re just overwhelmed with emotion?"


    "Mm-hmm!" E nodded seriously, her expression earnest.


    Eric gazed into her eyes. "Have you... been crying?"


    "Mm-hmm. When I was admitted, I scared myself a little, so I cried," E admitted honestly.


    Eric nodded and gently reassured her. "Don’t be afraid. No matter what happens, I’ll always be by your side."


    E fell silent, slowly closing her eyes as if she didn’t want to talk anymore.


    After a long time, when E had fallen asleep, Eric carefully picked her up andid her gently on the bed. He watched her delicateshes curl against her pale, almost bloodless face. He wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t want to disturb her sleep. Instead, he tucked her in and quietly left the room.


    "E, rest well... I’ll take care of everything," Eric silently promised himself.


    When he stepped out of the room, he noticed Lucas sitting on a bench in the hallway.


    "Dad," Eric greeted softly. "Thank you for taking care of E during this time."


    Lucas smiled faintly and nodded with calmposure. Having lived for decades, he was adept at maintaining his emotions.


    "No need to thank me. It’s my duty. E... she’s a gift from Heaven, and I’ll naturally cherish her."


    Hearing Lucas’s words, Eric felt reassured.


    "Do you think you can resolve the situation with Tiffany? Or... do we have a better n?" Lucas asked with an air of measured calm.


    Eric suddenly sensed a double meaning in Lucas’s words, but he couldn’t quite grasp it.