Chapter 927

Vivian's heartbeat accelerated abruptly.

Ethan's words sent an inexplicable panic through her.

Had he noticed something?

Ethan suddenly changed his tone. "Of course I'm concerned about you. I'd hate to see you faint from hunger."

"I'm not a child," Vivian frowned.

"I'm just worried about you," Ethan said, his voice low. "How will you take care of yourself without me?"

"I've managed just fine all these years," Vivian retorted sharply.

Ethan shook his head helplessly. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

"Fine. Maybe that is what I meant," he conceded.

Vivian's temper flared. "So you do look down on me!"

Ethan fell silent.

Their exchange felt like a twisted tongue twister.

"I just don't want you blaming yourself," he sighed. "What happened with the baby wasn't your fault."

"Perhaps it was fate. Forcing him into this world might not have been kind."

His attempt at comfort only angered her further.

"You don't understand at all!" Her voice trembled. "How much Queen Eleanor and everyone longed for this child!"

"Who says I don't understand?" Ethan countered. "Theo is my child too. I was looking forward to ours."

Vivian froze.

She remembered Ethan once claiming to dislike children.

"Since when did you start wanting kids?"

"Always," Ethan's gaze burned into her. "But only with you. I want our baby."

A sudden flutter stirred in Vivian's abdomen—as if the little one inside had responded.

Her ears burned crimson. "Stop talking nonsense!"

Her fingers instinctively brushed her stomach.

This secret she'd guarded so fiercely...

Now wavered.