Laura was stunned.

“…If it’s not just one…”

“Are you saying it might be twins?”

“Yes.”

“Are you certain?”

“If I, not being a doctor, claimed to be certain, it would be presumptuous, but honestly, I’m quite sure. Twins are obvious from the size of the belly.”

Laura’s lips trembled. Unable to contain her excitement, she tightly hugged the doll she was holding, squeezing it until the seams nearly burst and the stuffing peeked out.

“Good heavens, twins!”

Laura exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes.

Hannah smiled warmly. The existence of twins meant double the work for her, but seeing the lady of the house so thrilled warmed her heart. Of course, it would have been slightly less heartwarming if the lady hadn’t proposed double the pay, but still.

“Hannah, go to Remzwick and order another identical baby crib.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Hannah gave a slight curtsy and left the nursery. Now alone, Laura bounced with excitement.

‘Oh, just a year ago, I was fretting over not having a child, and now it feels like a dream. Two children at once!’

As she often did in moments of happiness, she naturally thought of her husband’s face.

‘How thrilled will Ian be?’

Laura imagined Ian’s reaction. At first, he’d be as stunned as she was, then burst into laughter and pull her into an embrace. He’d place his hand on her round belly, as he had before, and talk to the babies.

He would be happy again. Surely, he’d be a million times happier than with her small gestures of affection.

“Thank you, my babies. You’re doing what Mommy couldn’t.”

Laura wrapped her arms around her belly, like a little girl hugging a gift box.

“What?”

It was evening, after dinner. Ian, standing by the fireplace after a shower, shaking water from his still-damp hair, turned to his wife.

Laura, seated in a cozy armchair by the fire, smiled brightly at her husband.

“The baby—it seems it’s twins.”

“…”

Ian blinked his widened eyes. His gaze dropped to Laura’s belly, then lowered further.

“Oh.”

He seemed lost in thought for a moment before turning his gaze back to the fireplace.

Silence followed.

Laura’s smile faded. This wasn’t the reaction she’d expected.

‘Isn’t he happy?’

Laura looked down at her swollen belly. Inside, two children—his and hers—were growing. When she learned this, she had cried alone for an hour and spent the entire afternoon in a rocking chair, imagining the children who would grow up in the nursery.

Wouldn’t any parent be thrilled? She certainly was, and she believed Ian would be too.

But Ian’s reaction was the opposite. He was surprised, yes, but his expression was that of someone receiving unwelcome news.

Soon, a deep sigh broke the silence. Ian, staring into the fireplace, muttered in a reluctant tone.

“When labor starts, we’ll need to call Dr. Mackenzie.”

“Why him?”

“There’s no better doctor for emergencies than that old man.”

Laura forced a cheerful tone in response.

“He won’t come. He’s retired, even if only in name.”

“I’ll drag him here if I have to. Let him sue me.”

He rubbed his index and middle fingers together—a habit when he was in a bad mood.

“No Dr. Mackenzie, no way. Twins, damn it.”

Laura was shocked. Not because he was determined to kidnap Dr. Mackenzie—she’d grown somewhat immune to Ian’s impulsive tendencies over time. What shook her was that he wasn’t happy about the twins. Far from joy, he seemed irritated.

‘The babies… he’s not happy about them?’

Laura’s heart sank to the floor in an instant.

‘Now… are the babies a burden? I love them so much… why?’

The old Laura would have changed the subject and dealt with her feelings alone. But lately, she’d grown used to showing her emotions to him. Plus, pregnancy made it hard to control her feelings.

‘Ian doesn’t want the babies.’

Her vision blurred. She began to sob quietly.

Ian, lost in thought while poking the fire with a poker, turned at the sound of his wife’s ragged breathing. His hand froze. Laura was trembling, her face buried in her hands.

“Laura.”

He tossed the poker aside and approached her.

“Why are you crying?”

Her soft sobs continued without an answer.

Ian’s face grew pale. He knelt on one knee before his wife.

“Laura, darling, talk to me. What’s wrong? Did I do something? Is it because I mentioned kidnapping Dr. Mackenzie? Are you worried I’ll go to jail?”

Laura shook her head.

“Then what?”

When she didn’t answer, Ian grew anxious. He gently pried her hands from her face. Her face was red, streaked with tears.

Her gray eyes, brimming with tears, held deep disappointment. Ian’s heart tightened.

“Ian.”

“Yes.”

Swallowing a sob, she asked.

“Do you… not want the babies anymore?”

Her hurt feelings showed in her expression. Laura took it as confirmation. With a wail, she burst into tears.

“No, no, Laura, why would I not want them? I don’t dislike them at all.”

“Liar. You don’t even care about the children anymore…!”

Laura covered her face with her hands and sobbed. No matter how Ian tried to comfort her, rubbing her arms or attempting to hold her, she pushed him away.

‘That’s not it.’

Watching his crying wife, Ian’s expression was on the verge of tears too.

‘Hate the children? How could that be? They’re undeniable proof we’ve become a family. It’s just…’

Ian bit his lip. Noel’s wife, Barbara Finch. A woman he didn’t know, whose story resurfaced in his mind.

She died at thirty-two, giving birth. The same age as Laura.

Why hadn’t he considered it? Childbirth was a dangerous ordeal for women, one that could cost them their lives. The pregnancy and birth he’d so desperately wanted for a lifetime with her were, in truth, the most terrifying risk that could take her away.

Realizing this, Ian found it hard to feel attached to the babies. If he lost Laura in the process of their birth, he would come to hate the new lives.

On one hand, he felt the need to keep an emotional distance from the babies. If it came to a moment where he had to choose between Laura and the children, he would choose Laura without hesitation. It was a no-brainer. If he loved the babies too much, he’d feel guilty for his choice.

Ian decided to temper his love for the children until after the birth. It was a rational decision for the future. But it seemed to have saddened Laura.

‘It’s understandable.’

Laura had struggled with infertility for so long. These children, her first, were especially precious after such painful times. She already felt a bond with them.

Ian waited until Laura’s crying subsided. Thankfully, she wasn’t a stubborn baby who’d cry all night without comfort. Soon, her sobs quieted. Her hands, which had covered her face, began wiping her tears.

Ian lowered her hands and took out his handkerchief, gently dabbing her face.

When he held the handkerchief to her nose, Laura obediently blew into it. Ian sighed in relief. Her compliance meant she was regaining some calm.

As he’d sensed, a hint of regret lingered in Laura’s eyes. She was embarrassed for crying so uncontrollably.

Ian judged that in this state, Laura would understand his true feelings.

“Laura.”

He set the damp handkerchief on the side table and placed his hand over hers.

“Before God, I swear, the children in your womb are the second greatest thing to happen in my life. The first, of course, is marrying the woman before me.”

Laura just stared at Ian. He smiled up at his wife, whose eyes were red and face slightly swollen, making her even more adorable than usual.

“Our child—no, children. The day they’re born will be the third greatest thing to happen. I’ll devote my life to them, just as I have to you. We’ll spend so much time together, and I’ll give them all the love a father can give.”

Laura nodded. Trust in her husband showed in her expression, though some questions remained.

“I’ll live as a flawless father until my last day. So, Laura, please allow me to be a slightly indifferent father while the children are still in your womb.”

“…Why?”

Ian gave a rueful smile, as if apologizing for what he had to say.

“To love our children, I need to be certain they won’t take their mother’s life.”

Laura let out an “Oh.” She understood Ian’s heart instantly.

“Why think like that? Nothing will happen. There are thousands more women who give birth and are fine than those who aren’t.”

“Of course, nothing will happen to you. You’ll deliver two babies in less than three hours, rest for a few days, and be up and about.”

Ian fiddled with her hand soothingly.

“I’m just a coward. The thought of losing you… it kills me.”

Tears fell from Laura’s eyes again. Before, they were tears of sorrow, but now they were tears of immeasurable love for her husband.

Even while crying, Laura managed a bright expression.

“Darling, think about it. I’ve been eating the food you made all winter and gained weight. I’m much plumper now. And we’re good people, aren’t we? Even if you’re planning to kidnap Dr. Mackenzie, you wouldn’t hurt him, right?”

Ian nodded. How could he catch the babies if the doctor was injured? No violence, absolutely.

“Neither of us has committed great sins. We’re diligent and faithful. God will surely protect us from misfortune. So don’t think like that. Happiness is our only fate, darling.”