Chapter 259

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 259. Childbirth (1)

It was a peaceful afternoon. Sitting in a swing in the garden, Raphael held his wife in his arms. She was heavier than she had ever been, but nothing could have pleased him more.

Looking around the beautiful garden, Annette admired the spectacular flowers, more lush than ever after a recent watering from the gardener. Their scent perfumed the humid air, and she laid her cheek on her husband’s chest. Just being held in his muscular arms made her heart feel full, and knowing that this man was her own made her so happy.

Stroking his shoulder, she smiled.

“It’s hot. The breeze feels so nice,” she sighed.

“Yes,” said Raphael, equally content. The sight of the amulet around her neck was satisfying, knowing that it had been blessed by the goddess to ensure a safe delivery.

Every time Annette caught him looking at the amulet, she smiled to herself. He was a ferocious beast, but sometimes he was so adorable.

The amulet had been surprisingly effective. Since he retrieved it, Raphael had not once slipped out to the garden to cry at night. His own fears were far less overwhelming.

Whenever he felt anxious, he looked at the amulet.

It was all my plan, though.

The knowledge that the amulet was for Raphael rather than herself always made Annette feel a little guilty. She could not know that Railin had laid a true enchantment on the object, and it made her worry sometimes for Raphael, who believed wholeheartedly in its blessing.

Fortunately, her health had been excellent throughout her pregnancy. She had heard that it affected some women that way, as if their bodies found a balance in nurturing another life. She had never thought she would be one of them.

“Annette,” said a deep voice, interrupting her thoughts.

“Hmmm?”

Automatically, she glanced up at him, but Raphael was looking down at her with a sudden fear he hadn’t shown since he brought her the amulet.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, and he pointed at the hem of her gown with a shaking hand.

When she looked down, her eyes almost popped out of her face.

“Oh, my God…!”

The skirt of her gown was soaking, and suddenly she felt her lower body contract as her water broke.

There was a moment of panic when she wondered why she hadn’t felt any contractions, but then she remembered what the doctor said, that sometimes the water would break before any pains began. But with the birth of her first child suddenly imminent, Annette panicked.

“It’s ten days early…” she muttered, without thinking, and Raphael’s face paled. The doctor had made many recommendations about childbirth, but right now she couldn’t remember any.

She had been sitting in his lap, so Raphael’s trousers were as wet as her dress, and he started as he felt the sudden burst of moisture. His mind was utterly blank with terror that something would happen to her or their baby.

“…Doctor,” he managed. Jerking to his feet, he raced toward the mansion with Annette in his arms. “Doctor!!”

His roars brought all the servants out at a run, and as he laid her on her bed, Liza appeared quickly to examine her.

“It’s a little early for her to be in labor, but it’s not a problem,” she said. “Please bring warm water and clean clothes. I will stay with her until she delivers.”

“All right. Do you need anything else?” Raphael asked, and the doctor actually pushed him to the door.

“For you to stay outside.”

“…why?” He asked. A ridiculous question, but there was something of a small boy in his eyes as he looked desperately at the doctor.

“Because if you are upset, you will only upset her. Please wait outside,” Liza said firmly.

It was infuriating. How dare she kick out Annette’s husband now? It was wildly unfair, and he went to the door to protest, but then he heard Annette’s voice, moaning with pain.

At the sound of his beloved wife’s voice, he immediately lost all strength, and Liza promptly kicked him out, then returned to Annette to focus on the work ahead.