He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 401

A radiant, irrepressible joy sparked in Helena Wallace's eyes.

Her steps were much faster than usual as she hurried toward the sterilization room.

Sebastian Hayes followed quietly behind her.

But everyone present knew the devastating truth.

The baby only appeared to be doing well; it was merely a brief rally before the end, a fleeting illusion of health.

The surgery was scheduled for tomorrow.

There was a high probability the child wouldn't survive the operating table.

It was completely natural for Helena, as her mother, to want to hold her baby.

The medical staff simply couldn't bring themselves to refuse her.

That was why the doctor had agreed to the visit.

Helena carefully followed the doctor into the NICU.

She was so terrified that she barely dared to move.

Watching her baby being lifted from the incubator, her palms trembled uncontrollably.

"Mrs. Hayes, just let the baby rest against your chest," the nurse instructed gently.

Helena sat down in the chair.

Hope's tiny body was pressed against Helena's heart.

It was the first time Helena had ever felt her child's body heat.

Wrapped in blankets, she was pitifully small.

Over the past half month, it seemed she hadn't grown at all.

Her little eyes remained tightly closed.

Leaning against Helena, Hope made a tiny, valiant effort to nuzzle closer to her.

A mother and daughter's bond was profound.

Helena immediately burst into tears.

She desperately wanted to stroke her baby, yet she was too afraid to apply any pressure.

She could only sit there, watching in quiet awe.

She knew this child was still alive.

And because her baby was alive, Helena still clung to a sliver of hope.

It kept her from drowning in complete despair.

Sebastian stood off to the side, remaining silent the entire time.

It was the first time in so long that he had seen a genuine spark of light in Helena's eyes.

They were no longer covered by that dull, lifeless haze.

It was impossible to say that Sebastian was entirely unmoved.

Amidst the heavy quiet, he suddenly spoke up, his voice low.

"You only gave her the nickname Hope?" His gaze was fixed steadily on Helena.

After all, she was postpartum and recovering from a severe illness.

Her physical stamina was shockingly depleted.

Standing there for so long, her legs turned to jelly, and she nearly collapsed.

With lightning speed, Sebastian reached out and caught her.

Stumbling, Helena fell hard against his chest.

She heard his deep, resonant voice. "We're going back. You can't stay on your feet any longer."

Helena resisted, not wanting to leave.

Sebastian's gaze turned somber, carrying a heavy warning.

"Behave, Helena, or there won't be a next time." He wasn't joking.

Those words made Helena stiffen instantly.

She knew Sebastian always made good on his threats.

Without a word, she turned around and began the slow walk back to her ward.

Sebastian stayed right beside her.

She had likely been standing far too long; her knees buckled slightly.

Sebastian firmly grasped her hand. Helena looked down at their intertwined fingers, her brow furrowing.

She tried to pull away, but it was useless.