Chapter 1995

Nathaniel's sudden shout startled Mavis, causing her to nearly cut her delicate skin with the knife she had been holding against her wrist. Reacting quickly, Nathaniel grabbed the knife and flung it across the room toward the door. The bodyguards were alerted by the commotion and cautiously peeked in. Nathaniel ordered, "From now on, sharp objects are not to be allowed in Mrs. Nicholls's room." "Yes, Mr. Nicholls," the bodyguards responded promptly, retrieving the knife from the floor. Mavis remained silent, her gaze falling on Nathaniel's hand. The knife had left a shallow cut on his palm from when he had grabbed it. Nathaniel turned to Mavis, his voice soft but firm as he asked, "Why did you have the knife? What were you trying to do?" She responded coldly, "I was just bored being alone and was playing around. It's none of your business." "As your legal husband, I have the right to know what you're doing," Nathaniel replied sternly. Mavis shot back without hesitation, "Yes, you have the right to know, but that doesn't give you the right to restrict my freedom or take away my phone." Nathaniel knew he was in the wrong here. "I just want you to focus on your pregnancy and stay safe. I don't want to hurt you." Mavis glared at him. She was uninterested in continuing the conversation and turned back to her bed. Nathaniel glanced at the small cut on his palm, ignoring it as he sat by her bedside. Sheena's words and the doctor's diagnosis of prenatal depression echoed in his mind, making him feel uneasy. Trying to hide his discomfort, Nathaniel asked Mavis about something else, "You've never mentioned your family before. Are they… doing well?" Mavis's expression remained neutral as she responded briefly, "They're fine." "Do you remember when we got married, I needed some of your documents, so I investigated your family and even sent someone to Harbor City?" Mavis was puzzled by his sudden topic change and did not respond. Nathaniel continued, "You have a younger brother, and your dad is a misogynist and an alcoholic. Whenever he has problems, he takes his frustrations out on your mom. She has had a terrible time all these years." Mavis interrupted him, obviously unhappy, "What are you trying to say?" "If you're worried about your mom, I can help arrange a divorce for her and bring her to Froania. She can help take care of you during your pregnancy." "No need," Mavis replied curtly. It was not that she did not care about her mother, Gracie, but she did not want to be indebted to Nathaniel. The men in her family were leeches. If Nathaniel got involved, they would likely extort him for a large sum of money. Moreover, Mavis was suspicious of Nathaniel's motives. If he was threatening her now with talk of taking the baby away, he could easily hide Gracie once she arrived, using her as leverage to control and intimidate Mavis. If that were to happen, Gracie's situation would be equally bad as when she was in Harbor City. Nathaniel was confused. "Why wouldn't you want that? You've been in Froania for almost six years. Don't you miss her?" "She has her own life. Besides, she's older now and has never been abroad. She might struggle with the change and become ill. Don't trouble her." "I'm not trying to cause trouble. I just…" Nathaniel began, but Mavis cut him off, pulling up the covers and turning her back to him. Her demeanor was a clear sign of rejection. Despite her cold response, Nathaniel's mention of her parents made her reconsider the situation. Gracie needed to escape that toxic environment. While Nathaniel was unreliable, Sheena was someone she could trust…