Chapter 1987

The bodyguards exchanged glances and sighed. "Mr. Nicholls should be back by noon. You can discuss it with him then." Since they were just following orders, Mavis knew arguing with them was pointless. Frustrated, she slammed the door behind her and moved to the window to soak up some sun. Sure enough, Nathaniel arrived around noon. As he opened the door, he saw Mavis standing by the window. He approached her and gently guided her back to the bed. "You said the UV rays are strong and that standing too long is bad. Go lie down on the bed," he instructed. Mavis felt weak and helpless, allowing him to help her onto the bed. Nathaniel noticed the soup on the bedside table had gone cold, untouched. He was annoyed and said, "You claim to care about the baby, but you won't even eat your breakfast. Why are you punishing yourself like this? If you're unhappy, you can take it out on me." He took the cold soup away and let the bodyguard send it to the cafeteria to be reheated. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Mavis glared at him and asked, "Where's my phone?" "It's with me." She extended her hand and demanded, "Give it back." Nathaniel remained unmoved. "It's better for you not to use your phone before you give birth. It has radiation, which is harmful to the baby." Mavis knew it was just an excuse, and she exclaimed in shock, "Nathaniel, are you planning to keep me locked in this room until I give birth? What right do you have to restrict my freedom?" His expression remained calm as he replied, "It's for your own good. You're undernourished, your body can't keep up, and you've been doing physical work around the ranch. Now that you're further along in your pregnancy, you need to rest." "What right do you have to take my phone and cut me off from the outside world? How is this any different from imprisonment?" As her frustration boiled over, she gripped Nathaniel's hand tightly, her nails digging into his flesh and drawing blood. Nathaniel did not seem to feel the pain, allowing Mavis to grip his hand tightly. "If that's how you want to see it, so be it," he said, masking the hint of guilt in his deep blue eyes. "Consider this a small consequence for running away before. I'll arrange for a caregiver to be with you around the clock. If you want to see me, just let the bodyguards know, and I'll come as soon as possible." Mavis's eyes reddened with anger. "How dare you! Why are you doing this?" "Because I'm your legal husband. I'm only making the best decision for your health and the baby." "Imprisonment is still imprisonment no matter how you word it!" Nathaniel looked away, pulling his hand back from her grasp. It was marked with red bruises. "If you insist on interpreting my actions with malice, I have nothing more to say. I'm doing what I believe is right." There was a knock on the door, and the bodyguard entered with the warmed soup. Nathaniel personally took the soup and stirred it to check the temperature. It was just right. "Please, at least eat half a bowl. You need the nutrients." Mavis glared at him, refusing to open her mouth. Nathaniel's patience wore thin. "If you don't eat, I'll take the baby away once he's born and have someone else raise him. You'll never see your child again." "Nathaniel, don't you dare!" Mavis's anger surged, and she was on the brink of breaking down. Nathaniel sighed and brought the spoon to her lips. "Open your mouth and eat." Under the threat, Mavis had no choice but to open her mouth and eat the soup Nathaniel fed her. After finishing most of the bowl, Nathaniel's expression softened. "From now on, you need to eat properly. I'll arrange for a nutritionist to prepare meals for you. You need to stay healthy so that the birth will go smoothly." Although she understood he was concerned, the coercive way he showed it made it hard for her to accept. Nathaniel gently advised, "Take care of yourself. If you need anything, just ask, and I'll do my best to fulfill your needs." "All I need is freedom." Nathaniel was silent for a moment before responding, "I'll return your freedom, but it will be after you give birth." "Returning me to the Nicholls residence after giving birth isn't the freedom I want." Nathaniel said nothing and left with the bowl.