The Villainess Needs a Hug (Ivy Windsor) novel Chapter 1053

On the drive home, Katrina's emotions finally settled. She turned to look at her husband behind the wheel and asked softly, "Do you think I'm a burden? Ivy carried twins, and she wasn't nearly this much trouble."

Naylor glanced at her. "Don't talk nonsense. I have never thought that. Do you remember what I told you before? Women sacrifice so much to bring a child into this world. I'm just grateful you don't resent me for putting you through this. I could never see you as a burden."

When Naylor proposed, he had gifted Katrina a luxurious mansion and millions of dollars as her personal safety net.

The property and cash were entirely in her name, a permanent nest egg that would remain hers regardless of where their relationship went.

He had spoken those exact words to her back then.

Remembering that moment, a wave of profound affection washed over Katrina.

It was incredibly rare to find a man whose actions consistently matched his words.

Feeling a lot better, she offered a gentle smile. "I don't blame you. No matter who I married, pregnancy would probably be this brutal for me. But with you, I know I'm getting the absolute best care. I'm so lucky to have you, Naylor."

He smiled back. When the car came to a stop at a red light, he reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Stop overthinking. Whenever you feel unwell, just tell me. Mom is right there at the hospital, so we can handle anything. Never suffer in silence just because you think you're being a bother."

"Okay."

Throughout her pregnancy, aside from occasionally taking a sick day during severe flare-ups, Katrina continued to work full-time.

Naylor was swamped with corporate matters and couldn't stay home to keep her company every day.

With her skin constantly breaking out, she didn't want to visit Ivy Windsor too often, terrified of accidentally passing something onto the kids.

As for her mother, Willa Lester, her health was deteriorating at a slower pace than anyone had predicted. Still, terminal cancer took its toll, leaving Willa weak and drained.

Katrina couldn't bear to visit her mother either; she refused to let Willa see her suffering and worry over her condition.

Sitting alone in an empty house would only make the days drag on.

So, she pushed through her work routine. Naylor respected her choice, faithfully driving her back and forth every single day until she hit the eight-month mark.

At eight months pregnant, Katrina finally took her maternity leave.

It wasn't because her body was giving out, but because Willa's condition had reached its final stages.

"Nothing," Katrina said, looking up with a faint smile. "Mom stayed awake for a while today. We actually got to talk."

"That's great. Maybe she'll be up even longer tomorrow," Naylor said softly, sitting beside her to offer comfort.

Katrina leaned into his chest, her voice hollow. "Honey... do you think Mom will make it until the baby is born?"

She counted down the days obsessively. The due date was still nearly a month away.

But she could feel her mother slipping away fast.

"She will," Naylor said with absolute conviction.

He paused for a moment before adding, "When Mom wakes up tomorrow, you should ask what she wants. See if she's willing to go back to the hospital for more aggressive intervention."

Naylor had been discussing the situation with his parents. Dr. Wilson and Professor Penn agreed that life-prolonging treatments were still an option. However, pushing a dying body to its limits was excruciating, and they advised the family to think carefully before choosing that path.

Naylor knew his mother-in-law was desperate to buy just a few more days, desperate enough to endure the pain just to see her grandchild—which was why he brought it up to his wife.