Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Inside one of the Barker Group's conference rooms, Ronald strode in and slammed the door open. His expression had changed drastically after receiving a call earlier.

Everyone seemed surprised and displeased as they all turned to look at him.

Ronald could not care less about them and went straight to Timothy's side. He leaned over to Timothy's ear and briefly explained the situation.

Timothy's calm and indifferent expression sank instantly. He stood up abruptly and walked away without so much as an explanation.

Everyone exchanged puzzled glances when they saw him leave.

They have never seen Timothy with that kind of expression before. What could have happened that made him lose his composure and ignore basic manners?

Was the Barker Group on the brink of collapse?

Then again, he did not even remotely show such emotions when there was a crisis last time.

What was going on?

…

Timothy broke the speed limit all through the drive, but by the time he reached the hospital, Samantha had already been pushed into the operating room.

Since Samantha was pregnant, it was not only Samantha's life that had to be rescued but that of the child in her womb too. The risk, along with the difficulty, was much greater.

The situation did not look good.

Timothy clenched his hands tightly when he listened to the doctor's analysis. He turned to Ronald and instructed coldly, "Call Dr. Jameson and ask him to come over immediately."

Ronald nodded. "Yes, Mr. Barker."

When the doctor heard the name 'Dr. Jameson', his eyes lit up suddenly. "The chances will be much better if Dr. Jameson is here."

Timothy stared at the doctor and said with crystal-clear clarity, "Whatever the case is, I have to save my wife's life."

The doctor nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Mr. Barker. We'll try our best."

Vincent arrived ten minutes later.

Timothy stepped forward to greet him. "Please do your best, Doctor."

Vincent nodded. "I rushed over as soon as I saw the news, Mr. Barker. I will try my best to save Mrs. Barker and the baby."

"Thank you."

Vincent entered the operating room too.

Timothy looked up at the red light shining on the operating room and felt his heart sinking into a bottomless swamp. Despite his best efforts to struggle and crawl out, he could only sink deeper and deeper.

He stood by the window and hung his hands feebly on both sides of his body.

The operation lasted for a long time and nightfall came. The night sky made it a little difficult for him to breathe.

Ronald came back after buying some dinner and urged Timothy softly, "Perhaps you should eat something, Mr. Barker."

After all, there was no telling how long the operation would last.

Timothy did not appear to have heard him and stood there quietly without moving.

Ronald could not help but sigh, he did not persuade the man any further.

He was just about to set down the food when Timothy suddenly called out, "Ronald."

Ronald stopped moving and was starting to feel optimistic. "Will you be eating now, Mr. Barker?"

Unfortunately, Timothy merely ordered, "Don't let Grandma know about this."

That was all.

Ronald could do nothing except put down the food and reply, "Don't worry. I've stopped the news from circulating."

Old Madam Barker was in poor health, and she might collapse too if she was told that something had happened to Samantha.

Each second that passed felt like an agonizing eternity.

It was already past midnight and the hour hand was pointing to two. Ronald could not stay awake and dozed off while sitting on the chair.

Timothy lit a cigarette, but he did not smoke much and simply held it between his fingertips. The cigarette butt burned away until the embers reached his fingers, jolting his fingertips awake all of a sudden and causing him to regain his senses.

A bad feeling came over him all of a sudden.

It felt as though a piece of him had left abruptly.

The operating room's lights finally went out. Vincent opened the door and walked out.

Timothy turned around suddenly and looked right at the doctor.

Ronald had woken up from his sleep after hearing the sound and immediately stood up.

Timothy walked to Vincent and stared intently into the doctor's black pupils. He asked hoarsely, "How's my wife?"

Vincent took off his mask and had a weary look. "Mrs. Barker is safe."

The dullness in Timothy's eyes faded a little.

Even Ronald could not help but put his hands together and say, "Thank God."

After a pause, Timothy asked again, "What about the baby?"

Vincent's eyes sank slightly.

…

Samantha did not know how long she had been sleeping, but the only thing she felt when she regained consciousness was a searing pain throughout her body.

She moved her arm subconsciously and felt even more painful.

Two hands pressed down gently on her arm and spoke in a soft voice. "Don't move."

Samantha strained to open her heavy eyelids.

A ray of light shone into her eyes and she subsequently saw a man's familiar face coming into view. Samantha's blurry vision came into focus and she moved her dry lips to call him, "Timothy..."

"Yes, I'm here." Timothy held her hand gently and kissed the back of her hand. "I'm here."

Feeling the tremors in his voice, Samantha tried her best to smile. "Don't worry, the grim reaper won't take away my life that easily."

"Don't talk about that anymore."

Timothy seemed unwilling to discuss that topic and changed the subject right away. "Would you like to drink some water?"

"Okay."

Timothy let go of her hand and poured her a cup of warm water. He then lifted her head carefully and placed the cup to her lips.

Samantha's throat felt much better after she took a few sips.

Timothy laid her down again, tucked her into the blanket, and caressed her face gently as he said, "The doctor said that your injuries are mostly skin burns. The only serious injury was the part where you were hit by a burning pole, but you don't need to worry because it'll go back to normal once you recuperate."

His words triggered Samantha into remembering the situation during the fire.

After she was pushed in, she tried her best to run out but a burning pole suddenly came crashing down. She instinctively protected her lower abdomen but then fainted and did not know what happened after that.

She was alive, but what about her baby?

Samantha could not help but glance down in the direction of her lower abdomen. She looked at Timothy all of a sudden and asked in a soft voice, "How's the baby, Timothy? Is everything fine?"

Timothy's hand clenched suddenly.

Seeing his reluctance to give her an immediate answer, Samantha still asked despite knowing in her heart what had happened. "How's the baby?"

Timothy looked at Samantha's black pupils and was silent for half a second before answering, "Sammy, we... we can always have more children in the future."

He did not answer straightforwardly, but that response told her everything she needed to know.

The child was gone.

Samantha gulped once, then a second time.

She blinked her eyes vigorously but tears still welled up in her eye sockets.

Samantha pursed her lips tightly and restrained herself for a moment before speaking again.