Once Bitten, Twice Shy

"How is Penelope?"

At the mere mention of her name, Timothy's expression soured and his voice was terrifyingly cold. "She was rescued, but she hasn't woken up yet. Her injuries were serious and coupled with the other injuries she had received in prison, all her complications were now acting up and no one knows for sure when she'll wake up."

Penelope had never considered living past that day and wanted to drag Samantha to die together with her.

Samantha's expression turned stiff but she did not speak.

"That's enough. Don't think about it for now," Timothy comforted. "The doctor said you have to rest well and not overexert yourself."

Samantha sniffled and closed her eyes slowly.

…

At the apartment hotel, Harmony picked the phone up when it rang and sneered when she heard the report from the other side. "I didn't expect Samantha to be lucky enough and survive this! Penelope too! I'm surprised she's still breathing."

Harmony felt a little begrudging because she had planned to kill not two but three birds with one stone. The result was only one dead fetus.

However, the death of Samantha's baby meant that one of her biggest threats had been removed. Penelope was still somewhat useful, it seemed.

She no longer had any value and would only be a loose end if allowed to continue living.

Harmony then said, "Make sure you tie up the loose ends."

The other side responded and ended the call.

Harmony got up and walked to the television cabinet to turn on some music. She could not resist humming a song since she was feeling rather buoyant.

Then, she took out the supplements she bought and ate them one by one.

She was going to take supplements regularly from then onward to nourish her body in tandem with Vincent's treatment. That way, she could make preparations to bear Timothy's child once her infertility was treated.

…

The sun was shining outside when Samantha woke up. The light shone right in and bathed the entire ward in a warm light.

Her stiff eyes looked around.

Timothy had fallen asleep beside the bed while holding her hand.

He had probably been staying by her side without leaving and his expression looked fatigued. There was a bit of stubble on his chin and even his shirt was slightly wrinkled.

Samantha felt a complex series of emotions when she looked at him silently.

The child was gone, and if he only cared about the child, there was no need for him to keep up the charade anymore.

Did he care about her too, rather than just for the child?

Could she trust him a little more?

He probably sensed her gaze when he opened his eyelids slowly and looked deeply into her eyes.

Samantha blinked and quickly retracted the emotions in her eyes.

"You're awake?" Timothy's voice was hoarse after waking up and he touched her forehead. "Do you feel better?"

"My body is a little better, yes." Samantha then added truthfully without hiding it from him, "But my heart doesn't feel too good."

Her eyes reddened uncontrollably as soon as she said that.

Timothy squeezed her hand tightly as if to give her strength and comfort, but instead of continuing the depressing topic, he said softly, "Would you like to get up and have something to eat? Dr. Jameson will come to check on you in another minute."

Samantha knew that he was distracting her and took a deep breath to restrain her sadness. "Okay."

The nurse delivered the meal and Timothy fed Samantha spoon by spoon. Once she was done, he wiped the corners of her lips and helped her to lie back down on the bed.

A knock was heard on the door of the ward and in came Vincent with Leah.

Timothy stood up. "You're here, Doctor."

Vincent nodded at him. "Mr. Barker."

He then looked at Samantha and asked concernedly, "How do you feel, Mrs. Barker?"

Samantha forced a smile.

Vincent let out a gentle sigh and did not make any small talk. He went straight up to her and said, "I'll be conducting a comprehensive inspection now."

Samantha nodded, "Thank you for the trouble."

Timothy quietly retreated to the door without disturbing them.

Vincent and Leah conducted a detailed examination that took just over half an hour. The doctor then took the medical file and jotted down the pertinent information.

Timothy came forward when he saw that and asked, "How are things, Doctor?"

Vincent closed the medical records and handed them to Leah beside him. He looked up at Timothy and said, "Every cloud has a silver lining. The baby couldn't be saved, but Mrs. Barker's body did not suffer much damage."

"Mr. Barker, you and your wife are still young. Once her body is nursed back to health, she can still have children in the future."

Timothy said hoarsely, "Thank you."

Vincent looked at Samantha again and saw tears dripping from her eyes. He stretched out his hand, gently patted her shoulder three times, then comforted her, "I understand how you feel, Mrs. Barker, but your body is still weak and you shouldn't let yourself be overly sad. Depression isn't conducive to recovery."

Samantha's curly eyelashes trembled as she said softly, "I understand."

Vincent said again, "I'll prescribe some medication for you, which you must take on time. It'll help your body to speed up your recovery."

"Yes, I will."

After making sure to tell them everything, Vincent bid them goodbye. "Rest well. I'll be leaving now."

"Please see the doctor off, Timothy," Samantha said.

Timothy glanced at her and did not refuse. "Okay."

The three of them walked out and the ward fell silent.

Samantha's hand stroked her lower abdomen gently. She closed her eyes and the corners of her lips curled up in a shallow arc.

Vincent had patted her three times on the shoulder.

He was telling her that everything went according to her plan. Her baby…had been saved.

After all, her enemy operated from the shadows and she could not entirely predict Harmony's plan. To protect herself and her baby, she had been wearing a special vest for the last couple of days.

The vest could block even the most fatal of blows.

All that was left was for Vincent to reinvigorate the baby's fetal health.

Samantha and her baby were both safe.

Harmony had shown her hand and it was Samantha's turn to do so next.

She wanted to make sure that her grudges with Harmony were duly settled!

Samantha stretched out her hand to pick up her cell phone from the bedside table. She speedily made a call that was answered just as quickly.

She spoke briefly with the other person and hung up.

…

Five minutes later, Timothy returned to the ward.

Samantha did not lie on the bed to rest, but sat up and leaned against the bedhead to scroll through her phone.

Her face was pale, and there was anger and hatred in her eyes.

Timothy could not help but frown as he was walking over. Samantha looked up at him and emphasized every word of her sentence. "Timothy, our baby was killed by Harmony!"

He stopped walking at once.

Samantha's dark eyes stared unwaveringly at him to make sure that not a single expression escaped her attention. She then repeated, "Our baby…was killed by Harmony!"