The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 158

As he gently placed her back on the bed, Vivica let her arm fall away from his shoulder. In the ensuing chaos of her emotions, she heard herself say, "You're the first man who's ever carried me like that."

Joseph, who was still bent over, visibly froze at her words. In the darkness, his eyes found hers. They were so close she could feel the heat radiating from him, and though she couldn't decipher the look in his eyes, a shared, unspoken emotion hung in the air between them.

He straightened up, his voice regaining its usual cool detachment. "Your husband never did?"

"No. He said I was too heavy."

"Then he was too weak," Joseph retorted without hesitation, then added, "Which I suppose makes sense, given his… condition."

They both knew what he meant.

Vivica swallowed, her heart still pounding. She said nothing.

Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Joseph turned away. "Get some sleep. Any more of this and it'll be morning."

"Okay. You too. Goodnight…" she replied softly, settling back onto the pillows.

The room fell silent again, but the frantic drumming of Vivica's heart continued for a long time. It suddenly occurred to her that Joseph hadn't just stayed to look after Chaim. He had stayed to look after her, too.

But why? They weren't even really friends. He had already helped her so much, and now he was personally taking care of her with such attention to detail.

"Mommy, where's Uncle Joseph?"

A strange feeling stirred in Vivica's chest. "He had to go to work, sweetie," she said with a smile.

"Oh, okay… I liked his stories. I want him to tell me more tonight."

Vivica's expression faltered. "Sweetie… we can't bother your uncle every day. It's hard for him to say no, but we have to be considerate, right?"

Chaim pouted for a second, but then nodded obediently. "Okay. Then can you tell me a story, Mommy?"