Chapter 181: Home

*Runze’s POV*

The car slows as the estate gates swing open.

I watch the familiar iron glide past the window, followed by the long, tree-lined driveway that leads up to the main house.

Everything looks exactly the same as it did when we left this morning.

Only... somehow it doesn’t feel the same.

Maybe because this morning I left carrying weeks of uncertainty, counting every symptom like a warning sign. Now, I am coming home with my doctor’s words still echoing in my head.

*Healthy.*

The car rolls over the last stretch of driveway before stopping right beneath the front entrance.

Beside me, Bael stirs. He doesn’t wake up all at once. His dark brows pull together first, his breathing shifting before he finally opens his eyes, blinking once as he looks out the window.

He slowly turns his head to look at me, his eyes still dark and heavy from sleep.

"...We’re home," he murmurs, his voice a deep rasp.

I smile softly, keeping my voice low so it doesn’t jar him.

"You fell asleep."

"Mm."

He doesn’t say anything else. He just rubs a hand over his face, trying to clear the fog, before sitting up straighter in the seat. He fixes his clothes with deliberate, quiet movements—buckling his belt and straightening his dark jacket back into perfect order. His face is completely calm, his usual cold mask securely back in place, but he refuses to look me directly in the eye while he does it.

He knows I’m watching him, he knows I saw the faint pink still lingering on his ears. But he just clears his throat slightly, his jaw tightening as he looks out the glass.

I let out a tiny, amused huff, but I don’t tease him out loud.

Outside, Xiao Wang is already opening the rear door, stepping back politely. Warm afternoon air drifts into the cool car, breaking the quiet spell between us. Bael steps out first, his tall frame blocking the light for a second before he turns back toward me.

His hand reaches inside, palm up.

I place mine in it. His palm is warm against mine, his grip steady as he helps me down, one hand steadying my elbow to make sure I don’t trip on the running board, while his other hand settles naturally against the small of my back.

The moment our shoes touch the stone path, the front doors pull open.

"Young Master."

"Master Bael."

Two young maids standing beside the entrance bow deeply, their eyes fixed on the floor. "Welcome home."

Bael acknowledges them with a slight nod, his posture instantly shifting back into his formal self. I smile politely at them before following him inside.

Grandmother is there. She sits in her usual armchair near the wide windows, a cup of tea resting on the side table beside her. She is holding a small book, looking perfectly relaxed, as though she had merely happened to be passing the time in the hall.

I know better, though. She has been waiting right here the entire time.

Her sharp eyes move over both of us carefully. Her gaze lingers on my face, then moves down to my hands, and finally to Bael’s relaxed shoulders.

Once she finishes her inspection, she looks satisfied.

"How was the appointment?" she asks, her voice level but full of quiet weight. Her gaze lands squarely on me. "What did Dr. Xi say?"

"He said my recovery is going well," I say, and I can’t stop the bright smile that creeps across my face. "He even cleared me for light daily activities."

Grandmother’s shoulders seem to loosen, dropping almost imperceptibly as she lets out a breath she had been holding for weeks.

"Good."

"And the baby?" she asks, her voice dropping a bit softer.

"Healthy," I say clearly. That single word seems to brighten the dim corners of the room.

She gives one firm, decisive nod. "As expected."

Before anyone can say anything else, a loud, hollow rumble echoes through the quiet room.

My stomach has decided to betray me.

I instantly freeze, my hand dropping to my bump as the sound vibrates through the silent room.

The two younger maids standing around the room immediately press their lips together, their shoulders shaking. One of them lets out the tiniest, muffled snort before quickly catching herself.

Grandmother looks over at them. She doesn’t raise her voice, and she doesn’t need to. One stern, icy look from her is enough to freeze the air. Both maids instantly lower their heads, their faces turning pale.

"I’m sorry, Madam," one whispers.

Grandmother looks back at me, a faint, dry arch in her brow. "You haven’t eaten."

I look down, my face warming up. "...Not yet."

"Hm." She turns her head toward the maids. "Inform the kitchen. Have them prepare lunch."

"Immediately, Madam."

The two maids bow quickly and hurry away, their shoes clicking against the tile as they make a swift exit toward the back of the house.

Bael shifts slightly beside me. The hand that was resting against my back slides around to my waist, his thumb giving me a gentle, teasing squeeze through my shirt.

"I could eat too," he admits, looking down at me. Then he glances toward the grand staircase, his jaw relaxing slightly. "But first, I need a shower."

He looks a little tired from the day, but his eyes are clear as he leans down. Ignoring the fact that Grandmother is sitting right there, he presses a brief kiss to my cheek.

"I’ll see you upstairs," he murmurs against my skin.

He turns and heads toward the second floor, his long strides carrying him up the stairs. I stare after him, my hand coming up automatically to touch the warm spot where his lips just were.

"...Go," Grandmother’s amused voice breaks my thoughts.

I turn back around, feeling my face flush. She is watching me over the rim of her teacup, a tiny, rare smirk playing at the corner of her lips.

There is something incredibly pleased, almost relieved, in her expression as she looks at me.

I don’t wait for her to say anything else. I quickly turn and hurry after Bael, my sneakers making soft padding sounds against the carpeted steps.