Chapter 296 We Are Always Friends
As I sensed the warmth from Michael’s fingers, my heart skipped a beat. I gazed at him through teary eyes. Although he had already explained things earlier, I couldn’t help feeling aggrieved.
“Were you truly discussing the breach of contract with Emma?”
I stared at him uneasily. I felt truly unsettled because I had been betrayed once. Fear inundated me, and I was terrified that Michael would end up just like Justin.
“Don’t you believe me anymore?”
Surprisingly, Michael didn’t get up in arms in the face of my doubt. Mayhap he knew I was only feeling disquieted from my past.
“It’s not that I don’t believe you. I’m just afraid…”
I lowered my eyes. Truth be told, I particularly abhorred myself at that moment. I was wholly dependent on him at present that I might feel as though the sky had collapsed if he truly left me.
“As I said, I’ll never hurt you. Anna Garcia, you’re the only woman I love.”
Michael hugged me tightly again, his voice deep and beguiling. Inexplicably, I felt much more at ease then.
That night, he slept with me tightly in his arms. Perchance it was because he explained things to me that my reliance on him grew increasingly stronger.
When I woke up the next day, he was no longer beside me. I glanced at the time, only to see that it was already past nine in the morning. Ever since I got pregnant, I became increasingly fond of sleeping and would slumber for hours on end each time I intended to take a nap.
I truly felt that I was going to become a pig soon.
Subsequently, I cast a look at the date and realized that I should be going to the hospital for a checkup that day. Michael even reminded me about it two days ago and said he would accompany me for the prenatal checkup. However, I couldn’t quite bring myself to trouble him since he had been very much busy in the past few days.
He already has his plate full with his company matters. It’ll be more exhausting if he still has to take the time to accompany me now.
After changing, I ate something simple for breakfast before setting out for the hospital.
Upon learning that the hospital where I had been having my prenatal checkups belonged to Ronan, I actually felt a tad perturbed. On second thought, he hardly ever makes an appearance. Besides, how could a freedom lover like him possibly come to the hospital every day?
A wave of guilt inexplicably surged within me. It was more than ten days since we last had any contact. I wonder whether we could even be friends anymore.
I hailed a taxi to the hospital. When I went to the lobby to make payment, I caught sight of someone who looked like Ronan. Nevertheless, there were too many people, and I couldn’t see clearly either.
Preoccupied with getting into line to make payment, I quickly forgot about him. At that exact moment, a voice that made my heart lurch slightly rang out behind me.
“Anna.”
It was Ronan’s voice, lacking his usual insouciant nonchalance.
At that, I glanced back over my shoulder. When I saw his handsome countenance right before my eyes, my heart jolted, and words momentarily eluded me.
“What a coincidence to see you here today!”
That trite remark was all I could say as a greeting to him after a long silence.
“Are you here for a prenatal checkup?”
Ronan’s expression remained impassive, and that had me feeling a touch disconcerted. In my memory, he was a touch rogue with a wicked smile. Now, his cheerful face was blanketed by a layer of tranquility that wasn’t him at all.
“Yeah,” I replied softly, even as I averted my gaze awkwardly upon noticing his intent gaze on my stomach.
I knew he must be still feeling extremely upset right then, so I felt particularly guilty every time I saw him like that. I didn’t know what I could do to make up for it.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you there. You can skip the queue.”
Ronan stalked over to me after a moment of silence while looking straight into my eyes. Taking my hand, he dragged me to the bank of elevators.
His sudden action had panic surging within me. I instinctively wanted to break free from his hold, but his grip on me was too strong. Thus, I had no choice but to allow him to continue grasping my hand.
“Where are you taking me, Ronan?”
It was going to be my turn, but look what happened now. He pulled me out of the queue! If I were to queue all over again, I really don’t know how long I’d have to wait.
“As I said earlier, I’m taking you for a prenatal checkup.”
Ronan didn’t even bother looking at me, dragging me right into the elevator before pressing the floor button.
We were the only ones inside. I felt exceedingly awkward with just the two of us in this enclosed space.
“Actually, I’ll be fine on my own. It’s just a normal checkup. You don’t need to follow me.”
Remembering the agonized look in his eyes when he regarded me back then, I didn’t quite dare look him in the eye. After having hurt him so deeply, regret inexorably lingered within me.
“Why are you here alone today? Did he not come with you?”
Ignoring my comment, Ronan changed the subject. I knew he was referring to Michael. The tense relationship between the two cousins had me concerned.
“He has a lot of work at the office recently, so I didn’t tell him I was coming for a checkup today.”
Indeed, Michael had already told me a few days ago that he would accompany me for my prenatal checkup. I didn’t want to disrupt his work, so I came alone.
Besides, I was just in the first trimester. It wasn’t as though I was close to giving birth and needed someone to keep me company.
After having obtained my answer, Ronan didn’t comment further. The elevator plunged into silence once more, making me even more ill at ease.
“I apologize for losing control of my emotions a few days ago and treated you in such a reprehensible manner,” Ronan said.
He dipped his head a fraction, but his gaze was fixated on my face.
“Let’s not speak of the past anymore. Furthermore, I hurt you first, so you did nothing wrong in this matter. If anyone has to apologize, I should be the one.”
While his words back then were extremely unpleasant and upsetting, I certainly didn’t blame him. Conversely, I felt very much guilty to see him in his current state. If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t be so tormented.
“Can we still be friends in the future?” Ronan cautiously inquired as he looked into my eyes.
I could see hope burning brightly in his clear eyes.
“Of course! We’re always friends!”
