No Strings Attached

"Not yet. He's just coming over to help me, but these things should have been his. I also want to make time to spend more with Clara."

"Alright, I'll come over first thing tomorrow."

"How's the kid doing lately?"

As fathers, they had a unique empathy for the life and death situations of their children that others might not understand. Anders sighed, "Yesterday, the doctor performed a fetal heart rate monitoring on Elle. If there's a problem, they'll know immediately. If things go well, she could make it to 32 weeks."

Normally, babies are born after 37 weeks of pregnancy. Babies born at 32 weeks need to be placed in an incubator, and their chances of survival are lower.

Moreover, Elle was carrying twins. If she couldn't make it to delivery, it meant that the baby with problems definitely couldn't be saved, while the other, being premature, also had a very low chance of survival. Hearing this, lan pursed his lips. "I know the best pediatrician. When the time comes, I'll have her take care of it. With today's medical technology, there won't be any issues."

Anders gave a wry smile. "I hope so. I've got to go. Elle is calling me." He immediately hung up and ran into the bedroom.

Elle was staring anxiously at the fetal heart rate monitor, and her eyes were red with worry. "Anders, the baby's heartbeat seems to be getting weaker again. Look, that line is almost flat."

Anders glanced at the monitor and wrapped Elle in his arms, soothing her, "It's okay. The doctor said his heartbeat is just very weak. This value is within the normal range, so don't worry. Ian mentioned he knows a pediatrician, and they won't let anything happen to our baby."

Tears slid down Elle's cheeks. Her

voice choked "Why do my children have problems? Orin is so adorable but suffers from leukemia. These twins were developing so

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did this happen? I've never done anything bad. Why is this happening to my children?"

The more she spoke, the more hurt she felt, quietly crying in Anders' embrace.

Anders held her with a heavy heart. His guilt towards Elle wasn't something that could be alleviated in a day or two.

When he saw her so anxious and sleepless over the children, his heart ached as if it were pricked by needles.

Anders cupped Elle's cheeks in his hands, and his gaze was tenderly on her. "Elle, don't cry. Your mood greatly affects the baby. The doctor also said that as long as we try our best, we can at least save one baby. The other baby, born with a heart defect, will face numerous surgeries in the future, and it's not guaranteed it can be cured. So, we have to accept this reality. For us, being able

to keep one is already a victory.

Don't put too much pressure on

yourself, okay?"

While he spoke, he gently wiped away Elle's tears. He tenderly kissed her forehead, and said in a deep voice, “How about I stay in bed with you tonight?"

Since becoming pregnant, it had

always been Elle's mother staying with her. Only recently, with the baby's condition worsening, did Elle ask Anders to stay. But it had always been one of them on the bed and the other on the couch.

Hearing his request, Elle was momentarily stunned, about to say something, but Anders silenced her with his mouth. His hot lips, carrying his unique scent, invaded Elle's territory. Before Elle could react, her lips were pried open. It was followed by an entwining kiss that swept her away.

They had been apart for three years, and this was their first intimate contact.

Elle initially wanted to push Anders away, but the longing buried deep in her heart quickly made her succumb.