Chapter 157: Our!!!
ELLA.
The single word echoed over and over inside my mind.
Our.
Did Lawrence really just call the baby our pup?
For a brief moment, I forgot how to breathe.
My heart skipped a beat before bursting into a rhythm so loud I was certain he could hear it.
Warmth spread through my chest, slowly replacing the fear that had consumed me ever since I discovered I was carrying this child.
Could I really trust him?
Could I finally believe that I wasn’t alone anymore?
That one word had stirred something deep inside me—hope. A fragile hope I had tried so hard to bury, yet, despite the happiness blooming in my heart, uncertainty still lingered.
I needed confirmation.
I desperately wished that strange ability which had surfaced earlier at the hospital would awaken once more.
If it returned, perhaps I could tell whether Lawrence truly meant every word he had spoken.
I silently waited, hoping and expecting but nothing happened.
The strange sensation never came.
The silence stretched between us before Lawrence suddenly stepped closer.
Without warning, he wrapped both arms tightly around me. The embrace was warm, secure and comforting.
His hand slowly moved up and down my back in gentle, soothing strokes, each one easing the tightness in my chest.
"It’s alright, Theresa," he whispered firmly. "I am here for you... and our pup." He added, his voice carried unwavering certainty. "There is nothing to be afraid of." He paused. "Nothing will happen to either of you."
Every word was spoken with complete confidence and not once did his voice waver.
Unable to trust myself to speak, I simply nodded against his chest.
The sobs I had been desperately holding back earlier rose once again, forcing me to sniff quietly as I fought to keep myself together.
His heartbeat echoed steadily beneath my ear, and it was strangely calming.
Neither of us spoke after that.
Silence filled the room.
Lawrence continued rubbing my back with gentle patience, never rushing me, never demanding an explanation.
He simply waited, as his quiet reassurance somehow made it easier to breathe and easier to think.
Then, before I could second-guess myself...the words escaped my lips.
"It’s Bernard." The confession slipped out almost instinctively.
Immediately, Lawrence’s hand froze against my back, as his entire body stiffened.
"What exactly did Bernard do?" he asked, his voice noticeably lower and far more serious than before.
Slowly, he loosened his embrace and gently guided me back just enough to look directly into my eyes.
Concern filled his expression, and so did curiosity.
His gaze searched mine carefully, as though trying to read the answers before I spoke.
"Did you remember anything, Theresa?" he asked softly.
I couldn’t find my voice, so instead, I slowly nodded.
The moment I did, his eyes widened dramatically. Shock flashed across his face.
For a second, he simply stared at me in silence before immediately guiding me toward the bed.
He helped me sit down carefully before taking a seat beside me. Even then, his hand never left my back, as he continued patting it gently, encouraging me without saying a word.
His expression had become completely focused now and every trace of playfulness was gone.
"Tell me everything you remembered," he said firmly, leaning forward slightly as he held my gaze.
His voice was calm, but the urgency beneath it was impossible to miss.
"Leave nothing out, Theresa." He paused briefly, his eyes never leaving mine. "I need every single detail."
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly feeling unbearably dry.
The words Lawrence had spoken lingered in my mind, but so did every painful experience that had taught me not to trust too easily.
I lowered my gaze to my trembling hands.
Could I really tell him everything?
Could I truly place my faith in him without regretting it later?
The questions swirled relentlessly inside my head, refusing to give me peace.
I remained silent, carefully studying his face, and there wasn’t the slightest trace of impatience and his calm demeanor only made the battle inside my heart even more difficult.
Several moments passed in complete silence.
I found myself weighing every possibility over and over again.
If I kept everything to myself...I would continue facing this nightmare alone but if I trusted him...there was a chance—however small—that things might finally change.
I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his once again.
There was something about the way he looked at me. He truly didn’t seem like someone who would deliberately hurt another person.
That thought alone was enough to weaken the walls I had built around my heart.
Finally...I let out a quiet breath and my hesitation melted away.
I decided to trust him.
Slowly, I began recounting everything I could remember from the moment I had closed my eyes inside that room. I spoke carefully, making sure not to leave anything out.
When I reached the part about the masked man, I slowed down even more, deliberately emphasizing everything I could remember about him.
Lawrence’s expression darkened with every word.
By the time I finished speaking, his hands had already curled tightly into fists, and the muscles along his jaw flexed.
"That son of a bitch!" he exploded, springing abruptly to his feet.
The sudden movement startled me, as his eyes burned with unmistakable fury.
"I’ll kill him before he ever lays another hand on you or the child." He added, as his voice carried absolute conviction.
There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation in it.
Hearing those words filled my heart with an unexpected warmth, and a smile almost found its way onto my face.
"What do we do now?" I asked quietly, tilting my head to look up at him, as my voice remained calm despite the fear lingering beneath it. "They’re after my bloodline."
The room fell silent once again.
Lawrence immediately lowered himself until he was at my eye level. His expression softened, though the determination in his eyes never faded.
"I’ll handle it, Theresa," he said firmly. "All you need to do is focus on your health." His gaze briefly drifted toward my stomach before returning to my eyes. "Because of the child."
I forced a small smile onto my face.
I appreciated his concern more than words could express.
But deep inside...I couldn’t accept leaving everything to him alone, as this wasn’t just his battle, It concerned me, and It concerned my child.
As a mother, I wanted to protect my pup with everything I had.
Even if I needed Lawrence beside me...I still wanted to fight for my own family.
Lawrence seemed to notice the thoughts racing through my mind.
Without saying another word, he gently cupped my cheek. His thumb slowly brushed across my skin in a comforting caress.
The tenderness of the gesture caught me off guard.
Unable to hold back my curiosity any longer, I searched his eyes.
"What exactly is so special about it—my bloodline?" I asked softly, genuine confusion evident in my voice.
The question had been weighing on my mind for far too long.