Ch. 1711..1720
Chapter 1711
Nicole and Clayton could be together if they wanted to, and they could always break up if they lost feelings for each other.
If they got married, how could they take responsibility for each other’s future?
Seeing Nicole’s downcast face, Julie and Yvette suddenly realized something.
Yvette blinked. “Don't tell me that you never planned on marrying Clayton and just want to sleep with him for free?!”
Julie glared at Yvette. “Watch your words!”
Yvette snapped her mouth shut and looked at Nicole, waiting for her answer.
Nicole bowed her head. “I don’t know what I'm thinking. I just feel like my heart is in turmoil.”
Julie pursed her lips and put down her fork.
“Forget it. Let’s not go shopping. Until your results come out, you can still hesitate and backtrack. Let’s go and check it out first, yeah?”
Yvette nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we’ll accompany you to the hospital.”
Julie immediately refused. “We can’t! With Nicole’s identity, once she goes to the hospital, the whole world will know, then what can she do?”
Yvette was silent and frustrated.
Julie said, “Let’s go to the pharmacy to buy a pregnancy test?”
Nicole nodded. Under their enthusiastic gazes, Nicole coughed and felt even more stressed.
“Okay. I’ll just go back and take the test myself. You guys can go shopping...”
With that, Nicole stood up and grabbed her bag to leave.
Yvette and Julie watched in shock as Nicole walked away. Nicole’s back looked a bit hurried.
Yvette wrinkled her brow. “Is Lil N afraid that we’ll know?”
Julie spoke calmly. “She doesn’t even wanna know. You need to understand that she’s probably like this because she’s traumatized by marriage...”
“Right... It’s all because of that damn Eric!” 1 Yvette had no qualms about scolding the culprit.
Nicole did not call her driver to pick her up. Instead, she walked to the corner of the street and came across a pharmacy.
It was as if it was destined to be there.
Nicole walked in hesitantly. Her eyes were in a daze.
This was the first time she came to buy something so awkwardly. It felt a little embarrassing.
An old lady was manning the pharmacy. Nicole muttered that she wanted a pregnancy test, and the old woman took a dozen brands from the bottom shelf for Nicole to choose from.
"Try a few more. It’ll be more accurate that way.”
Nicole was convinced and bought one of each of the dozen brands available.
The old lady smiled as she packed those up for Nicole and politely sent her away.
Nicole carried the black plastic bag, which was completely out of place with her coat which was more than S1 00,000.
She directly took a taxi home.
There was no one at home, and Clayton was out.
It was just as well so that she would not feel pressured.
Nicole carefully read the instructions of those pregnancy tests, and the usage was more or less the same. She quickly understood the procedure.
However, it recommended using the first morning urine, so she could not test now and had to wait until tomorrow morning.
Nicole was torn between using a few to try it out first and leaving the rest to try again tomorrow morning.
Thus, Nicole took a deep breath and went into the bathroom with the test kits.
When Nicole saw only one bar showing at the top, she breathed a sigh of relief and threw it in the trash. She then threw the rest of the kits away.
Nicole thought that there was no need to try at all and that she must have been overly concerned.
She came out feeling relaxed and put on a face mask. She then lay down on the massage chair and felt less tense all over her body. Somehow, she unconsciously fell asleep.
When Clayton came back in the evening, he saw Nicole basking in the sunset. Her body was enveloped by the warm sunlight, and she looked like she was in an oil painting, a blurred yet moving beauty.
His heart fluttered. He then went over and gently kissed her on the forehead.
Chapter 1712
Nicole slept very soundly. When she felt that someone came in, she opened her eyes and sat up in a daze.
“You‘re back?”
Clayton looked at her helplessly and smiled. ‘You didn’t go shopping? Are you tired? I called you a few times, but you didn’t answer, so I called Ms. Quimbey. She said that you’ve been back a while ago. Didn’t we agree that I’d pick you up?”
Nicole stretched out her arms, so Clayton went over and picked her up, then put her on the sofa.
“Oh, I came back early.”
As for the reason, Nicole did not want to mention it right now.
Clayton did not mind and stroked her hair.
“Are you hungry? Do you want me to cook something for you?”
Nicole touched her stomach and nodded.
Clayton smiled, kissed her, then got up and went into the bedroom. He first went to change his clothes, then went to the bathroom to wash his hands.
Nicole casually glanced at him and saw that he entered the bathroom. Her heart abruptly tightened, and she panicked a little.
Clayton washed his hands, wiped them dry with a paper towel, and casually threw the paper towel in the trash. However, he inadvertently caught sight of something. When he saw the thing that was sticking out of the trash can, his face instantly stiffened.
Five minutes passed, then ten minutes passed.
Nicole could not sit still. When she was about to stand up to check out what was going on, she saw Clayton walking out calmly from the bedroom.
His face was very calm with nothing unusual. There was no disappointment or excitement.
Nicole could not figure out how she felt about that. She was not pregnant anyway, so he certainly did not have anything to say.
She smiled. “What took so long?”
Clayton looked at her for a few seconds, then quickly shifted his gaze away. “I was just thinking of what to cook...”
Nicole sighed in relief. “Up to you, I can eat anything.”
Clayton turned around and went to the kitchen. It was only after a while before Nicole heard sounds coming from the kitchen.
Nicole pursed her lips and instantly found a movie to watch. Halfway through it, Nicole felt bored and went to the study to read some documents.
It was great that Kai joined the company. At least, Nicole did not need to work overtime anymore.
Kai initially just wanted to go through the motions, but Logan and the other assistants did not let Kai off the hook. They had to report on all matters, big or small, to Kai. They were adamant about getting an answer from Kai, and if he did not answer their calls, they would go to the hospital to find him.
As a result, Kai was exhausted and could only obediently accept all of their arrangements, including working overtime.
Thus, when Nicole saw the photo that Kai sent of him working late at night, she gave him a big thumbs up.
Kai was speechless.
Not long after, Clayton came over and knocked on the door. His voice was warm and relaxed. “Babe, shall we eat?”
Nicole answered, turned off the computer, and walked out.
The dishes on the table were sumptuous with many varieties, but they were light meals that were not spicy or greasy.
Although Clayton usually prepared food with great care, it felt like something was different today.
Nicole smiled and walked over. “Thank you, my kind and hardworking Mr. Sloan.”
Clayton smiled and looked at her. “Don’t even. Let’s eat. They’re all your favorites.”
Nicole nodded. She had not eaten all day and finally had an appetite.
However, she only had a few bites. Before she could taste the spinach and shrimp soup in front of her, her stomach churned, and that regurgitation feeling instantly surged.
Her face changed. She put down the bowl and immediately ran to the bathroom.
Clayton’s face became gloomy. He caught up with her in a few steps and gently patted her back. His movements were just light enough to feel his cautiousness and nervousness.
Nicole rinsed her mouth, steadied her breath, and patted her chest.
Chapter 1713
In the mirror, Nicole saw her pale face and colorless lips. She looked a bit weak.
Nicole thought that she might be sick.
She touched her forehead, but it was not hot.
Clayton’s face was tense as he noticed her expression. He held her waist with one hand while he took a tissue in the other hand to dry her sweat, moving lightly and carefully.
“How are you feeling? Do you still want to vomit?”
Nicole closed her eyes and shook her head. She then flung her whole body into his arms and spoke a little breathlessly.
“I don’t have any more strength, but I’m still so hungry.”
Clayton pursed his lips. The worry in his eyes was obvious. His voice was low as he coaxed her.
“I’ll make some oatmeal for you, okay?”
Nicole nodded. Clayton picked her up and put her on the sofa, careful not to touch her stomach.
However, Nicole did not notice his actions. She closed her eyes tightly. Her legs were resting on the sofa, and she looked very lazy and comfortable.
Clayton quickly cooked her some oatmeal. Nicole finally managed to stomach it and restored some vitality after finishing a bowl.
Nicole simply cleaned up and went back to the bedroom to rest. Clayton stayed in the study until very late.
When he went to bed, Nicole had fallen asleep, and she slept quite soundly.
The bed next to her sank down for a moment. Nicole was slightly conscious. She turned around and familiarly placed her hand on Clayton’s body. She even touched him a few times to confirm that it was him before she could rest easy.
Clayton held her wandering hand and looked at her for a long time in the dark.
Nicole thought that he fell asleep, but she suddenly heard him call out to her.
“Nicole?”
Nicole answered in a daze.
Clayton placed his hand gently on her stomach. It was so gentle, like he was afraid of scaring her.
He continued, “Do you want to keep this child?” The night was very silent.
Nicole woke up from her sleep because of these words.
She opened her eyes and adjusted to the dimness of the room. She looked at his bright eyes that were looking at her expectantly and waiting for her answer.
Nicole pursed her lips and wrinkled her brow. “What child? I don’t have a child...”
Did Clayton misunderstand something?
Clayton's voice was low and slightly aggrieved. “I saw it... The pregnancy test.”
Clayton thought, ‘She’s still denying it? Is there another woman who came by to use this?’
Nicole blinked. “I think you’re mistaken. You have to read the instructions to understand that one bar means not pregnant, and two is pregnant...”
Her voice was very soft, but she confidently briefed him on the product.
Clayton could not help but let out a light laugh and hold her hand.
“I know, I just googled it.” “Then why are you still...”
Nicole paused and pursed her lips. “It’s clearly one bar."
Where did the child come from then? Was he lying?
Clayton frowned and raised his hand to turn on the light. The warm yellow light was a little too bright that Nicole felt slightly uncomfortable for a moment, so she reached out to block it.
Then, Clayton went out barefoot and walked in with something.
Nicole looked at him with disgust and leaned back.
Clayton, a germaphobe, held the pregnancy test in his hand without any care for cleanliness and happily gestured in front of her.
“Look! It’s two bars!"
Nicole’s gaze shifted to the kit. She narrowed her eyes and thought that she had misread it. What happened?
Surprisingly, it was really two bars.
Her eyes widened in shock. Her mind was dizzy and blank, and she did not know how to react. She clearly saw that it was only one bar just now.
Chapter 1714
Nicole pursed her lips and raised her eyes to look at Clayton. She spoke with great certainty.
“This thing is broken. When I bought it, that old lady said that it’s better to try a few more times. When I looked at it earlier, it was clearly one bar, but now it became two. There must be something wrong with this pregnancy test kit.”
Clayton looked at Nicole, dumbfounded. The joy in his heart was strongly suppressed, and he seemed to be a little incredulous.
“Really?”
Nicole nodded her head.
Clayton lowered his eyes. “Then should I buy more?”
Nicole shook her head. “No need. I bought a lot of them. I’ll try again tomorrow morning.”
Once he heard this, Clayton’s heart settled down. He nodded his head. “Okay.”
He then threw the pregnancy test away and washed his hands before going back to bed.
After he turned off the lights, the room fell back into darkness.
Clayton lay beside Nicole but did not feel sleepy at all. “Nicole?”
Nicole was just about to fall asleep when she was woken up again. There was a hint of displeasure in her voice.
Did Clayton not want to let her rest?
He reached out and touched her face, then planted a kiss on her forehead, followed by dense kisses.
When Clayton was about to lose control, he deliberately restrained himself.
Nicole was aroused and looked at him breathlessly. She reluctantly murmured, “Do you not want to continue?”
Clayton gritted his teeth. “No...”
He just wanted to kiss her to satisfy his cravings. If she was really pregnant, he was afraid that his impulsive behavior might put her in danger.
Nicole heard this and rolled around the bed, finally turning away from him and keeping her distance to express her dissatisfaction.
Clayton reached out and pulled her into his arms. His warm breath landed on her face as he chuckled lightly. “I can use other methods to satisfy you...”
Nicole grunted in anger. “Get lost!”
Early the next morning, Nicole felt sore and weak after last night’s activity.
Clayton seemed like a different person. He always said such seductive words that made her blush.
However, since he worked hard all night and got up early in the morning to make her breakfast, Nicole forgave him.
Clayton watched Nicole come out and smiled. He walked over and hugged her, then gave her a good morning kiss. He was extremely gentle.
Nicole snorted and laughed. “Are you that happy today?”
Clayton laughed lightly. “Of course! Don’t forget what you have to do in the morning...”
Nicole suddenly remembered after his reminder. ‘ Right, the pregnancy test!’
Her face changed for a moment. She pursed her lips and took a deep breath before she went in with the black plastic bag from yesterday in indignation.
Clayton originally wanted to discuss with Nicole last night about the child, but in the end, things developed into something else, so he did not have the opportunity to speak.
Now, Clayton stood cautiously at the door and waited for Nicole.
Soon, Nicole came out from the bathroom and gleefully showed him the results.
“One bar!”
Clayton looked down and the pregnancy test in front of him. Indeed, it was one bar.
Before Clayton could feel disappointed, another bar next to that one bar gradually turned red.
Clayton’s lips were taut. Naturally, Nicole also noticed it.
So, this was why Nicole saw that it was only one bar last night while Clayton saw two bars.
It had a delayed reaction? This thing was too unreliable!
The two of them looked at each other. Although Nicole looked a bit skeptical and frightened, Clayton's eyes had some hidden excitement and leap of joy.
Clayton looked at her and seriously suggested. “Do you want to go to the hospital for a checkup?”
Nicole opened her mouth and expressed her difficulty. “If we go to the hospital, won’t everyone know about it?”
Chapter 1715
Clayton saw that Nicole’s face did not have the slightest bit of excitement, which slowly doused the elation in his heart.
He stiffly forced a smile. “It’s okay. I’ll get an acquaintance to recommend us to another hospital so that we won’t run into anyone we know. We should get it checked out first, right?”
Although Nicole also thought the same thing, she was very concerned.
In the end, she nodded her head.
Clayton stroked her hair and turned around to call his acquaintance.
Naturally, it was a trusted hospital and doctor, but these people did not intersect with their daily life.
Clayton had an indescribable feeling in his heart.
He also dared not ask her if she would keep the baby if she was really pregnant.
That was because he was afraid that he would not be able to accept her answer.
Neither of them had much appetite in the morning. Nicole did not want to eat, so Clayton just brought her...
The hospital that Clayton contacted was a private hospital in a neighboring city. Before going in, they wore a mask.
Fortunately, the doctor was not interested in the identity of the patient during the examination. She did not even look up more than once before telling them the results.
“Congratulations, you’re three weeks pregnant.” After saying that, the room was suddenly silent.
The doctor looked up at the couple in front of her who did not have a trace of joy.
To be precise, the woman was not at all happy. She just looked very shocked.
The man looked graceful, handsome, reserved, and noble, with ecstatic emotions suppressed in his eyes.
The doctor had seen a lot of people like this. She bowed her head and continued, “It’s best to make a decision whether to keep the baby or not as soon as possible because the longer you wait, the more damaging the abortion will be on the body...”
There was a momentary stiffness on the man’s face. Clayton’s gaze fell on Nicole.
After leaving the hospital.
The two of them sat in the car.
Nicole was lost in thought and dazed, not knowing what she was thinking about.
Clayton’s joy was replaced by calmness. He knew that Nicole did not look forward to the arrival of this child.
Perhaps, Nicole did not even look forward to marrying him either.
The car was quiet for a little while.
Clayton looked at her. The light in his eyes gradually disappeared into oblivion.
After a long time, he finally spoke. “Sorry... I’m responsible for this...”
Although Clayton would wear a condom every time, he could not be sure that it was infallible.
In the end, Nicole was the one who suffered.
Nicole paused, looked at him, and opened her mouth. “ Then will you take responsibility for this?”
Clayton thought he had misheard. His eyes surveyed her face, and his throat moved slightly. He nodded his head.
“Of course.”
Nicole looked at Clayton and hesitated for a few seconds. “It’s better if we go back to the hospital and talk to my father.”
As soon as she said this, Clayton’s heart turned cold.
He nodded with a defeated face and started the car, driving in silence.
The music played in the background, but his heart was desolate.
Going to the hospital meant that she was giving up on the child.
It was originally his fault anyway, so he should not have expected too much.
Nicole also wanted to go to the same hospital where Floyd was staying.
Nicole got out of the car and looked at Clayton, who was sitting motionless in the car as if he suffered a blow.
She frowned slightly. “What are you sitting there for?”
Clayton looked at her sideways. His throat bobbed, and his voice was dry and low.
“Nicole...”
“Hmm?” Nicole stood there patiently as she waited for him to speak.
Clayton’s gaze was gloomy, and his voice had a faint plea.
“Is there a possibility that you’ll keep the child?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Clayton regretted them.
He hung his head and let out a bitter laugh. “Forget it.”
Clayton was expecting too much of her. Nicole was not ready to get married, so how could she be ready to be a mother?
There was silence for a few seconds.
Nicole wrinkled her brow and looked at him. “I didn’t intend to abort the baby...”
Chapter 1716
The sun was shining brightly, and the layer of clouds hung in the blue sky that looked as beautiful as an oil painting.
Nicole stood in the sunlight, wrinkling her brows. Her bright and delicate face was a little pale, but she very patiently listened to Clayton finish what he wanted to say. Afterward, she revealed a confused and uncomprehending expression.
How did Clayton think that Nicole was going to abort the baby?
Nicole looked at him. Her tone was calm as she said, “ Didn’t you say that you’d take responsibility?”
Clayton paused. His gaze was frozen, and he looked somewhat incredulous.
“What did you say?”
The ecstasy in his eyes surfaced on his face. He jumped out of the car and stood in front of her in a few steps.
“Say it again?”
Nicole was puzzled. “I asked you earlier. We have to talk to my father first. If he agrees, then I won’t mind...”
Clayton’s eyes were slightly red. This surprise came so suddenly that he could not accept it for a while. This huge turn of events made him a little lost.
Clayton took a deep breath and wrapped her in his arms. His tense heart finally settled down.
The feeling was like going through a huge accident but suddenly being told that it was just a prank.
Clayton thought that he just lost everything, but now, he gained everything.
He had never felt so contented before. “Thank you, baby... I’m sorry...”
Clayton spoke incoherently.
Nicole suddenly calmed down and wrapped her arms around his waist after a pause. She patted his back.
“Did you just think that I was coming to the hospital to abort the baby?”
Clayton did not answer, but the silence said it all. Nicole sighed.
“Although this child is unexpected, I’m not so repulsed by it. I’m not prepared, but don’t you have experience in raising a child? With you around, those preparations won’t be useful anyway. Let’s just let nature take its course and see to it later...”
After all, the baby in her womb was not the child of someone she hated.
Nicole knew that Clayton would be a good father and a good husband, so what else was there to worry about?
If this would happen sooner or later, why turn away the opportunity when it arrived?
Clayton embraced her tightly and wanted to keep her for life.
He was very emotional because he felt that he had finally gotten her answer for all his wishful thinking.
It was worth it.
All this while, quite a few people around looked at the couple. Nicole felt awkward and pushed him.
“Clayton, let’s hurry inside...”
Clayton let go of her and looked at her with a smile. The tenderness in his eyes was overflowing.
“Okay, whatever you want, baby. Even if you want to kill me, I won’t say a word.”
Nicole snorted and was speechless at his sudden change.
“It’s not like you’ve never had a child. Why are you so excited?”
Clayton laughed and held Nicole’s hand tightly. Of course, he was excited.
Clayton raised Lil Michael as a responsibility that had fallen on his shoulders out of nowhere when he was young and frivolous. Thus, he had to take on this responsibility.
However, Nicole and their child would be his hope and home.
In this world, Clayton did not have much and was envious of other people’s good fortune.
However, at this point, he felt that his luck was not too bad.
He finally saw light and hope on the path that he had walked on alone.
There was an added little gift that made it all worth it.
When Clayton arrived at the door of Floyd’s ward, he heard laughter coming from inside. However, Clayton suddenly felt apprehensive and nervous.
He felt as uneasy as if it was the first time he met Nicole’s father.
Nicole looked at him. Clayton pursed his lips and asked, “Can I propose to you now?”
Chapter 1717
If Clayton did not propose, how would they get married?
If they did not get married, what would happen with the procedures after their child was born?
For the first time, Clayton felt that although cumbersome, these formalities in Mediania were quite perfect!
It was much better than in Liberty, where children could be registered without proper procedures.
Clayton wanted to get Nicole’s approval before he had the courage to go in and face Floyd’s wrath.
Nicole knew what Clayton was thinking about and laughed. “As long as my father agrees, I won’t have any problem with it.”
She threw the problem back to Clayton.
Clayton helplessly held his forehead. This little witty devil was deliberately making things difficult for him at such a critical moment.
Nicole must have seen through Clayton’s dilemma at this time.
While the two of them were hesitating at the door, Kai’s nonchalant voice rang out not far away from them. “What are you two doing at the door? Did you do something wrong?”
The two of them were startled.
Clayton smiled faintly and nodded modestly. “Hey, Kai…”
Kai smiled and patted Clayton’s shoulder, looking like a big brother.
“Brother-in-law!”
The corners of Nicole’s lips twitched. When she looked at these two men, she wondered when they had such a good relationship.
It felt a little weird too.
Kai rolled his eyes at Nicole. “If you’re so free to hang out here, why don’t you have time to go to work? You better watch out! Otherwise, I’ll deduct your salary!”
Tsk! Kai was really a “good” brother!
Before Nicole had time to speak, Floyd heard Kai’s annoying voice from inside.
“Lil K, what nonsense are you spouting over there? Get your *ss in here!”
Kai answered and ran in obediently, then smiled at Floyd. “Dad, I came here to visit you in the middle of a very busy day. Did you have a good lunch?”
Director Sven, who was standing on the side, was amused and laughed. “Look at how filial your son is! I’ll head back first and come back to play chess with you this afternoon.”
Floyd smiled perfunctorily and waved his hand. Kai said goodbye to Director Sven very politely.
“Goodbye, Uncle Sven. You’ve lost weight lately. Why don’t you eat something good for lunch?”
“Sure...”
Nicole and Clayton stood at the door and greeted Director Sven, then went into the ward.
Floyd looked at Kai speechlessly with disdain. “You didn’t bankrupt my company, right?”
Kai said, “Look at how much faith you have in me! It’s such a large company, so how can I bankrupt it in just a few days? It’ll take some time...”
Floyd’s face was livid as he covered his chest. “You little rascal!”
Nicole hurriedly stepped forward. “Don’t listen to his nonsense, Dad. He’s just a prop to sign documents. The real decision-making power is still in our hands...”
She was referring to herself and Grant.
Floyd then nodded in satisfaction and advised her in a serious tone.
“Don’t be careless. You should beware of Kai...”
Nicole stifled a laugh, but Clayton could not hold back at the side.
Kai looked at them speechlessly. “Dad, can you say that when I’m not around?”
This was too hurtful, right? “It’s for you to hear!”
Floyd retorted.
Nicole tugged on Floyd’s sleeve. “Dad, we have something to tell you!”
Floyd nodded seriously. He looked at Nicole, then at Clayton, and smiled.
“What is it?”
The impression Clayton had left on Floyd recently was not bad.
Clayton stepped forward and stood there looking so warm, handsome, and upright. His temperament was also extraordinary.
Kai smiled and looked like he was waiting for some drama to unfold. He felt like he came at the right time and that something big was about to happen.
Clayton looked at Nicole, then smiled as he spoke.
“Uncle Floyd, please forgive my presumptuous behavior. I’d like to formally propose to Nicole with your blessing...”
That remark made the ward fall into silence. Floyd’s smile gradually stiffened and disappeared.
Chapter 1718
Clayton's nervousness at the beginning was justified.
At least, a minute before Clayton opened his mouth, he was still relaxed. After Clayton finished speaking, he felt nervous, apprehensive, and tense.
It was more frightening than when Clayton closed his first big deal.
Clayton thought that his recent performance had been quite good since Floyd’s attitude toward him had been great.
However, at this moment, Clayton felt that it was far from enough.
It was too risky.
Clayton was deeply worried about the little zygote in Nicole’s womb now.
He wondered if Nicole would still be able to keep the baby.
Floyd’s face was completely devoid of happiness. The darkness and scrutiny in his eyes were very intimidating.
This kind of suffocating feeling was like a boulder hanging over Clayton’s head.
Kai also did not get involved and watched silently, which was rare.
Nicole saw Clayton’s nervous look, then looked at Floyd’s face and instantly felt a little helpless. She coughed and gave her dad a look.
“Dad, isn’t this good news?”
Floyd pursed his lips and looked at Nicole. “Good news?!”
He glanced deeply at Clayton.
‘this occasion, this time, this setting! You think THIS is good news?!”
With that, the temperature in the ward instantly plunged.
Clayton’s face stiffened. A touch of chagrin crossed his eyes.
Nicole paused. “Dad, those aren’t important!”
Floyd glanced at her. His tone was cold. “Then what’s important? What else is important?”
Perhaps Nicole did not care about these rituals, and Clayton missed something, but the person who loved Nicole the most would always care about every little detail.
Floyd wanted every memorable day in his daughter’s life to be perfect and not done in such a haphazard manner.
Nicole was just about to say something when Clayton stepped forward and took Nicole’s hand with an incomparably humble attitude.
“Uncle Floyd is right. I was careless. Everything about Nicole should be thought out properly. I’ll definitely go back and prepare again so that Nicole can remember such an important day.”
Actually, Clayton was quite happy when he figured it out.
Floyd’s request was not too much. Since Floyd had such expectations, it meant that he probably agreed to the two of them being together.
Floyd’s attitude was important.
Nicole frowned slightly. Kai came over to alleviate the situation. He also did not want to lose such a good brother-in-law.
“Clayton knows his mistakes and will change accordingly. In fact, he’s just asking for your opinion with full sincerity out of respect, Dad. If he proposed without your blessing, what’s the difference between that and forced marriage?”
Kai’s words made Floyd so angry that he could not say a word.
Floyd thought, ‘This stupid boy is always dragging me down. Can he get lost?!’
However, Nicole smiled and said, “That’s right. If Clayton didn‘t get your blessing and I didn’t want to agree, how awkward would that be?”
Floyd felt indignant. He was thinking of his daughter, but she still spoke for others?
Was he now an unreasonable bad father?
Floyd let out a cold snort and looked away, not wanting to see their faces.
“Then you won’t get married if I don’t agree?” Floyd asked her back.
A flash of panic crossed Clayton’s face as he was shocked by Floyd’s words.
Nicole could not help it. She placed her hand on her belly and spoke frankly.
“Dad, I’m pregnant, so you can’t even disagree! We just went to the hospital for a checkup!”
That completely broke the originally de-escalated tension in the ward.
Even Kai widened his eyes and looked at Clayton with a somewhat sullen and cold gaze, not to mention Floyd.
Floyd’s face was glum. He took a deep breath and pointed at Clayton.
“Get out! Don’t even think about marriage!”
Chapter 1719
The blood instantly drained from Clayton’s face.
Nicole also stood there in shock, not expecting that her confession would make things even more unmanageable.
“Dad...”
“Shut up!”
Floyd shouted. His face was livid as he pointed at Kai on the side and ordered him.
“What are you still standing there for? Get him out of my room!”
Kai paused and did not dare to speak for Clayton. Instead, Kai went up and patted Clayton’s shoulder. “ Let’s go out and wait.”
Clayton had underestimated the Stanton family’s desire to protect Nicole and had overestimated his standing in Floyd’s heart.
To Floyd, what Clayton did was the same as a scumbag.
The good image that Clayton had built in the past collapsed in an instant.
Clayton pursed his lips, glanced at Floyd, and wanted to say something, but he shut up and finally glanced at Nicole worriedly and regretfully.
If this matter brought Nicole any harm, then he would feel guilty forever.
Nicole smiled at Clayton reassuringly to show him that said she was fine.
Clayton’s heart felt even worse.
He wanted to stay back and face Floyd’s wrath with her, but staying would anger Floyd even more, which would kill all his chances.
Clayton felt like he was at the end of his rope. Kai thoughtfully closed the door.
Nicole stood there with a pale face. “Dad, why did you lose your temper?”
Floyd took a deep breath and covered his chest. His face was pale.
Nicole went over and soothed Floyd’s chest. Her voice choked a little.
“Dad, you just got out of surgery, so don’t get mad. If you disagree, I’ll just abort the baby. It’s okay.”
Floyd abruptly turned his head to look at his daughter. The kind of love and heartache in his eyes could not be concealed.
He clenched his fist and took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. His face eased a little before he spoke. “Do you like him that much?”
Nicole nodded her head.
Floyd looked at her for a few seconds, sighed, and reached out to touch her hair.
“Since you like him so much, don’t say things like aborting the baby again. Although your brothers and I aren’t ready for you to get married, it’s just a matter of time. I’ve observed Clayton during this time and think that he’s a good man. If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have known if you were alive or dead in Southeast Asia. I also know that he’s very attentive to you.”
Nicole’s eye turned red as she pouted. “Then why did you get so angry just now? Were you just scaring him?”
Floyd’s face sank slightly.
“How am I scaring him? I’ve never opposed your relationship, but everything must go according to the process. That way, there won’t be any rumors about you.”
Nicole was silent. She bowed her head and lowered her voice.
“I know that my last marriage exhausted everyone, so you’re extra concerned about my relationships. Even if I don’t get married forever, you guys will also agree to it, right?”
“It’s good that you know. Having flings to keep yourself happy is fine, but marriage is different.”
Floyd said in a serious tone. His eyes were sad.
“I’m not worried that you and Clayton’s relationship will reach the same point as your marriage with Eric, but I just hope that you can be happy. I want you to fall in love, get engaged, get married, have children, and go step by step. You should have everything that other people have, and you shouldn’t just make do just because you’re pregnant...”
Floyd’s voice choked a little at this point. He sighed, and his eyes had some exasperation.
”Clayton is still not stable enough. I even thought that he was the most suitable person for you before this. He’s so frivolous, and I’m too disappointed in him!”
Chapter 1720
Nicole could tell from Floyd’s words that Floyd was actually not dissatisfied with Clayton. He was just unable to accept this unexpected pregnancy.
In the end, Floyd was just afraid that his daughter would be aggrieved.
Nicole’s heart was warm. She held Floyd’s arm and smiled.
“Dad, he doesn’t dare to. This is just an accident. When we came to the hospital, he even thought that I didn’t want the baby. On the way here, he looked so sad, but he didn’t say anything. He respects me fully. Since we’ll get married sooner or later anyway, why not agree to it?”
Floyd raised his eyebrows. His eyes were full of doubt. “Really?”
Nicole nodded.
Floyd sighed. “But I still think that you’re too good for him and he got a huge deal!”
Nicole said, “Dad, Clayton doesn’t have any relatives anymore. Everything is decided by our family. I listen to you so much, so you shouldn’t scare him so easily.
He’s already so pitiful...”
Floyd froze for a moment and suddenly understood what Nicole meant.
The two of them fell silent.
Indeed. Although Clayton was rich and very capable, no one in the Sloan family recognized his existence.
For Nicole’s sake, Clayton had already offended the entire Sloan family, so he did not have anyone to back him up.
If the Stanton family also bullied him, then Clayton must be very pitiful.
Clayton stayed in Mediania for Nicole and almost broke off all his previous contacts in Liberty. Nicole could not think of anyone else who loved her more than he did.
Floyd’s expression eased slightly.
“Well, since you’ve decided, I have no opinion on this. But your wedding should be pushed up right away. I’ll get Mr. Anderson to arrange these things for you.”
Nicole smiled and nodded. “Okay! Thanks, Dad!”
Floyd looked at her dotingly and really could not do anything about her.
Although Floyd preferred to let Nicole live a simple and easy life, since she had chosen this path herself, it was better to go all the way.
If this marriage did not work, Nicole could always come back to the Stanton family anyway.
Outside.
Clayton stood there with a glum face and was motionless. His eyes seemed to be boring a hole through the door.
He did not expect Floyd’s reaction to this matter to be so drastic. Clayton should have thought about it sooner.
Clayton had stolen Floyd’s baby daughter and even got her pregnant before he proposed. He had nothing prepared, so how could Floyd be happy about this?
However, Clayton was more worried about Nicole getting reprimanded because of him.
If he had known earlier, he would have made enough preparations before coming over.
On the side, Kai looked at Clayton’s listless face and smiled wantonly.
However, Kai did not look as friendly as he was back then. He looked at Clayton with a somewhat cold gaze.
Kai sat on the side. His gaze was scattered. “Sit down, Mr. Sloan. It’s pointless for you to stand there. The last person my father wants to see now is you.”
Clayton’s face was tense. His eyes were a bit dark, and his voice was low and hoarse as he asked Kai. He seemed quite flustered.
“Was I too much?”
The good image Clayton had built during this period was just ruined.
Kai let out a reckless laugh and gave him a sidelong glance.
“You’re not too much. You just deserve a beating. No man who respects women will get her pregnant before marriage. You brought those tricks in Liberty here and didn’t think about the consequences? Or do you think that our family will compromise just because she’s pregnant? Do you think that we’ll scramble to marry our baby sister to you?”
Kai’s tone carried a hint of displeasure and even annoyance.