"Why are all my accounts frozen? What's going on, Dad? Mom? I need to withdraw money for some important matters!" Lukas complained, glaring at everyone who only stared back at him coldly.
"And why are you suddenly in the hospital? What kind of drama are you pulling now?" he continued, pointing at Sandra's face.
"From now on, if you want to take any money, ask Sandra for permission," Emilio said, handing his son a checkbook. "If she signs it, then the money will be released."
"Seriously?" Lukas threw the checkbook onto the table in frustration. "What did you tell my parents? What kind of drama are you pulling this time? You even faked being sick?"
"You don't even know why your wife is lying here, and yet you accuse her like this?"
"She's a good actress!"
"Sandra is pregnant. And her health is weak. Fatigue, anemia, stress—it's all happening at once. And today, you made her cry again by meeting with Kayla. You're about to become a father, and you're still acting like a child?" Thalia snapped at him.
"Sandra is pregnant?" Lukas repeated, wide-eyed. "Pregnant?" he asked again, stumbling over his words.
"After cheating openly, you have the nerve to accuse her without any proof. How can your nature be so different from your father's?" Thalia slapped him hard.
Sandra smiled quietly as Lukas was scolded. He deserved to suffer for everything he had done to her—impregnating her without remembering the first time it happened, breaking her heart, constantly making her angry. He needed to suffer until her heart was satisfied.
Lukas walked over to Sandra, still in disbelief. He gently caressed her head. His reaction was honestly beyond Sandra's expectations.
"How is she doing? The baby? So... our baby is really here?" he asked everyone, who were now preparing to leave. No one answered him.
"Sweetheart, you just need to rest tonight to regain your strength and get your vitamins." Thalia stroked Sandra's face gently.
"Yes, don't let anything bad happen. You need to take good care of yourself!" Maria smiled softly. The elderly woman looked genuinely happy.
Everyone ignored Lukas, but he swallowed his pride. He admitted his mistake. If his parents hadn't told him, he wouldn't have known Sandra was pregnant or needed medical care.
After everyone left, silence filled the room. No one spoke, not even Sandra. The atmosphere was thick and awkward—until Thalia's assistant arrived, delivering the mango snack Sandra had ordered earlier.
"Sir, I'd like two portions please," Sandra said before the man could put them in the fridge.
"You're eating junk like this?"
"What's it to you?" Sandra shot back coldly.
"Here you go, Miss." The man handed her the bowl politely. "I'll take my leave."
Sandra ate heartily, ignoring Lukas's disgusted expression. What did he know about pregnant women? About cravings? All he cared about was meeting his annoying ex.
"You could get acid reflux or food poisoning. Why would you eat something like that?"
"People say it's cravings—it's what the baby wants. You wouldn't understand! You're not the one carrying it!"
"Okay, don't get mad. I'm sorry about Kayla."
"No need. What's the point of an apology when you don't even feel guilty?"
Lukas said nothing. He sat beside Sandra and suddenly placed his hand on her belly without asking.
"What the hell, that tickles!" Sandra pushed him away.
"San, I just want to touch it!" Lukas insisted. "What are your symptoms? I don't know how to take care of a pregnant woman, this is my first time. Let's work together, okay?"
Suddenly, Sandra felt nauseous at his words. Even her baby seemed disgusted.
She quickly placed the bowl on the table, grabbed her IV pole, and ran to the bathroom. She threw up violently into the toilet, crouched over it.
"Hurkkk!!!"
Lukas followed her, looking pale. He was terrified of pregnant women—afraid of doing something wrong, afraid something bad might happen. Seeing her hair messy, he tied it up using his necktie and gently rubbed her back.
"Is your stomach upset? I told you not to eat weird things!"
"You don't know anything!!!" she snapped while still vomiting. Her intense nausea lasted nearly an hour. Her previously bright face had turned pale and weak.
"Lukas..."
"Are you done throwing up?"
"I'm exhausted..." she whispered, looking worn out.
"Let's get you back to bed. I'll call the doctor." Lukas gently wiped her face and helped her walk back.
"I don't even remember the first time this happened! Why did I have to get pregnant this way?" Sandra sobbed.
"Well, it was the same way as yesterday! Stop talking nonsense. Are you trying to say this baby isn't mine?" Lukas bristled.
"But I didn't see it clearly! This isn't fair—it's like some ghost pregnancy!" Sandra wept harder now.
"I already told you it wasn't all my fault! You seduced me first!"
"You jerk!" she pinched him hard.
"What do you want then? A replay?" he teased, rubbing the pinch mark on his arm.
"Your brain is completely broken!"
"So now I'm the bad guy? That's the best solution!" Lukas smirked.
"Just shut up!" Sandra flopped onto the bed and turned away from him.
Their attention was suddenly drawn to the sound of the room's door opening. Lukas expected to see Sandra's OB-GYN. But instead, it was someone else—completely unexpected.
"Hey!" Thomas greeted them. "I heard Sandra's pregnant?" he said happily.
Sandra almost replied just to make Lukas jealous, but froze when she noticed red blotches on Thomas' hands. Was Thomas the demon? Was his body turning red ahead of the blood moon?
"Why so concerned?" Lukas asked sharply.
"You mad? I just wanted to congratulate you two. Jealous?"
"I'm not in the mood. You should leave."
"Getting possessive? I came straight after treating a trauma case in the ER. Thought I'd stop by and share the joy." He held up his still blood-stained hands and doctor's badge.
"Thanks, but this isn't the right time. Sandra and I need to talk."
"Alright, alright. I'll go. Take care of your wife and baby. I'm happy for you." Thomas said with a wide smile and left.
Lukas clenched his jaw as he watched Thomas go. The images of Sandra and Thomas together still haunted him. Where had they gone together? How close were they really?
"You want to be with Thomas? Is that why you're pouting and crying? Are you hoping he was the baby's father?"
Instead of answering, Sandra pulled Lukas into a trembling hug.
"Lukas, why were Thomas's hands red?" she sobbed.
"Didn't you hear? He said he just came from the ER. Probably blood stains, or something else." Lukas gently stroked her back and head.
"He's not the demon?"
"Oh God, are you still thinking about that story?"
"I'm scared!" she cried.
"That's just an old tale. No one knows if it's even true. Don't be like this, Sandra—you're overreacting!"
"Why do you always downplay my feelings? Why are you always so cruel? I'm really scared and you think it's nothing?" she shouted, her breathing becoming short.
"I—"
"You'll never understand! You're selfish and always treat everything lightly!"
Their argument was cut short when the OB-GYN Lukas had called finally arrived. The medical team rushed in when Sandra suddenly had trouble breathing. Lukas panicked—she was only supposed to stay for vitamin infusions. Why was it suddenly so serious?
And why was she crying so seriously over some silly story?
"Doctor, how is my wife?" Lukas asked after the doctor gave Sandra a sedative to rest.
"She's under stress, and that could have serious effects on her pregnancy. Whatever's going on, please resolve it calmly. Pregnant women are very sensitive, so be patient with her."
After the doctor left, Lukas climbed into the hospital bed and lay beside his wife. He gently caressed her face and belly, eyes shimmering with tears.
"Is your anger really about that old story?" he whispered as he hugged her. "I'm sorry for always hurting you. I need time to figure things out. I still don't know where to go from here."
Lukas kissed her forehead—and stayed awake the whole night, silently pondering what choice he should make next.