Chapter 153: Let me handle everything
She hadn’t even realized they had arrived. "Let me handle everything," Julian added, his thumb brushing lightly over her fingers. "Don’t think too much. Stress is not good for you." Amara opened her mouth to protest.
To say she wasn’t thinking that much. But the words never came. Because she was. More than she realized.
"Okay... fine," she said quietly. The car door opened. James stood there, respectful as always. Julian was already out, moving around the car to her side before she could even try to manage on her own.
"Careful," he murmured, helping her out, his hand firm at her waist. Amara let him. For once. She didn’t fight it. They walked inside together.
Slow. Measured. The house felt calmer than everything they had just left behind. Like a different world entirely.
"I’ll have them make something for you," Julian said as they stepped into the living room. "And for the next week... the CEO can either work from home or take proper rest."
He glanced at her belly, his expression softening. "You’ll need all your strength to push out our baby." Amara stopped walking. Turned to him slowly. "...Are you trying to scare me right now?" she asked.
Julian blinked. "What? No...I’m not." But there was a slight shift in his tone. A hint of something too enthusiastic.
"I’ve been watching videos," he continued, completely serious. "And we actually have a few options."
Amara narrowed her eyes slightly. "What options?" she asked carefully. Julian brightened. "Well... home delivery could be great," he said, already imagining it. "With a pool of lily flowers..."
He gestured lightly, as he could see it. "A beautiful, calm environment. A nice way to welcome our babies." Amara froze.
"...Babies?" she repeated. Julian paused. Too late.
"...Yes." Silence. Amara stared at him. "You knew?" she asked slowly. Julian raised both hands slightly in surrender.
"I know you didn’t want to find out," he said quickly. "And don’t get mad. I only asked the doctor because I wanted to make sure you were okay." Amara crossed her arms slightly, waiting.
"He didn’t tell me the sex," Julian added quickly. "I didn’t ask. I swear." A beat. "He just said... babies."
Amara exhaled slowly. Twins. The word settled into her chest in a way she hadn’t expected. She had spent so much time avoiding details. Avoiding attachment. Avoiding hope.
And now. Two. "And you didn’t ask anything else?" she finally said. Julian shook his head immediately. "No," he said firmly. "I stopped right there." A small pause.
"I didn’t want to cross a line you set." Amara studied him. And for once. She believed him without question.
"Hmm," she murmured. Before she could say anything else. The door opened. A maid stepped in with a tray. Hot. Steaming. Spicy chicken soup.
The smell alone. Shifted everything. Amara’s attention snapped instantly. "Oh...give me that," she said, already moving toward it. Just like that. The tension broke. The storm in her mind quieted.
At least for now. Julian watched her, relief washing over him so visibly he didn’t even try to hide it. He let out a slow breath. Saved. For the moment.
"Home birth... might not be a bad idea," Amara said softly, a small, thoughtful smile forming as she cradled the warm bowl of soup in her hands.
The idea lingered in her mind, something peaceful, something gentle... something far from hospitals, far from chaos.
Julian’s eyes lit up just slightly. "Exactly what I was thinking," he said, watching her carefully. "But," Amara added, her smile fading just a little as doubt crept back in, "we’ll have to speak to the doctor first... right?" Julian nodded immediately.
"Of course," he said reassuringly, stepping closer. "I’ll talk to the doctor, get all the information, and then you decide." A pause. His voice softened.
"I love you." Amara didn’t respond right away. Not with words. She just held her soup a little tighter.
"You are not touching my soup," she said suddenly, narrowing her eyes at him. Julian blinked. Then smiled. There it was.
That version of her. Light. Playful. Safe. "Of course," he said, amused, still closing the distance between them. Before she could react. He gently took the bowl from her hands.
"Hey...!" But he had already set it carefully on the table. "Before you spill hot soup on yourself," he said calmly, like it was the most logical thing in the world. Then. He leaned in.
And kissed her forehead. Soft. Lingering. "I’ve come to a realization," Julian added, pulling back slightly, a teasing smile on his lips. Amara raised a brow. "No one," he said, "comes between you and your food." She almost smiled.
Almost. And then. It came. That sound. Loud. Sudden. Unmistakable. BANG. Both of them froze. Another noise followed. Metal against metal. Struggle. Voices outside.
Amara’s expression shifted instantly. Frustration flashed across her face. "...Who is it this time?" she muttered. Julian didn’t answer. His entire demeanor changed. The softness.
Gone. Replaced by something cold. Alert. Protective. He stepped slightly in front of her. Not obvious. But deliberate. "I’ll check," he said quietly.
Another loud thud echoed from the entrance. Someone was trying to get in. Not knocking. Not waiting. Trying. Julian’s jaw tightened.
"Stay here," he added, his tone leaving no room for argument. But Amara didn’t move. Didn’t sit. Didn’t retreat. Her hand instinctively moved to her belly. Because whatever was happening outside. It didn’t feel random anymore.
And deep down. She already knew. Trouble was coming. Julian stepped out into the night, the cool air brushing against his face as the gate lights flickered on. And there she was.
Amira. Still dressed in the same polished suit from the morning. Perfect. Untouched. As if the entire day hadn’t broken her just hours ago. Which meant one thing. She came straight from the office. She stood behind the gate, her posture rigid, her eyes sharp the moment they landed on him.
"Julian," she called, her voice firm. "Tell them to let me in." Julian didn’t move. His hands rested casually in his pockets, his expression unreadable. "You should leave," he said calmly. "Or have you forgotten this is private property?"