Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 417: Close Encounters

Chapter 417: Close Encounters

Ella fell completely into Luke’s arms.

The soft curve of her waist sent a flush rushing to Luke’s face, turning it a bright red. Despite his age, this was perhaps the first time he had been so physically close to a woman.

Having spent most of his life at Lucas’s side, Luke had inherited many of his habits. He rarely interacted with women and would deliberately avoid those who showed interest in him.

The idea of arranged dates was even more unappealing to him. He yearned for a romantic, serendipitous connection, not a transactional exchange of details over a formal meeting.

"What’s wrong?" Luke asked, alarmed as he noticed Ella’s tense expression. Could pregnant women really be this fragile?

"Let her go, now!" came Eric’s sharp, commanding voice as he strode over and quickly took Ella from Luke’s arms.

Luke hesitated for a moment, his expression darkening. "She was about to collapse. I only caught her to stop her from falling. If I had let go, she would have hit the ground. Did you consider that consequence?"

Just then, Lucas arrived, having stepped out to find Ella. He had been discussing possible wedding venues with Eric and wanted to get Ella’s opinion. Though she seemed torn between a few locations, Lucas felt B islands would be perfect and had wanted to consult her.

Instead, he walked out the door to the sight of Luke holding Ella in his arms.

No man could tolerate seeing his woman in another man’s embrace, no matter the circumstances.

Lucas approached, giving Luke a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don’t worry about it. Any man would feel uneasy seeing his woman held by someone else."

Luke’s face grew even more solemn, though his concern shifted toward Ella, whose expression remained troubled.

"Ella, how are you feeling?" Eric asked, placing a hand on her forehead. She wasn’t feverish, and everything seemed normal.

Ella, feeling weak and drained, didn’t even have the energy to speak. Finally, she muttered, "I’m fine... I think... maybe I really am pregnant."

She had read up on pregnancy symptoms before. The first few months could indeed bring exhaustion, and if anemia was involved, extra care was necessary.

A faint blush spread across Ella’s cheeks as she admitted this, and Eric’s face lit up with joy. "We’re going to the hospital right now!"

"Yes, yes," Lucas chimed in, beaming with excitement. "We can finish our conversation later. The hospital comes first!"

Luke’s face, however, remained tense. He lowered his head, his expression unreadable.

Without wasting another second, Eric carried Ella out of the house. Though he had planned to take her for a checkup the next day, she had assured him earlier that a pregnancy test would suffice.

But seeing her so physically weak and prone to fainting, Eric wasn’t willing to wait.

Lucas followed closely behind, leaving Luke alone in the vast estate.

The sudden emptiness of the mansion made Luke feel restless. Sitting on a carved bench in the back garden, he wrestled with an unfamiliar ache in his chest.

He told himself he didn’t like bold, headstrong women—his ideal partner was a gentle, refined lady.

So why, when he heard the news of Ella’s pregnancy, did it stir such an unbearable sense of pain?

Was this... a sign of unacknowledged feelings?

Perhaps it was his subconscious playing tricks on him, implying that ordinary women weren’t worthy of him. But as Lucas’s biological daughter, Ella somehow seemed like an equal match—a notion Luke hadn’t fully realized until now.

The thought made Luke even more uneasy. He glanced back at the spot where Ella had stood, his heart heavy.

Frustrated, he abruptly stood and smacked his forehead hard with his palm. "Damn it! Stop these thoughts right now!"

Unable to bear his own turmoil, Luke stormed off to the garage. He couldn’t stay home today. He needed fresh air—or some pressing task to distract himself from his tangled emotions.

Inside a L hospital.

Ella had her blood drawn and was now waiting for the results.

Leaning weakly against Eric, she rested her hand lightly on her abdomen. If she truly was pregnant, she couldn’t imagine not keeping the baby.

After all, it’s well-known that a terminated pregnancy can make conceiving again difficult. Ella was already in her third year of university, excelling academically. With no concerns about her education or finances, she felt ready for this responsibility.

"How are you feeling now? Should we get you something to eat? You’ve thrown up everything—aren’t you hungry?"

Eric, lacking experience, repeated the question for the third time, worry etched on his face.

Ella shook her head. "I don’t feel like eating."

The nausea was still there, and the thought of food made her stomach churn again.

"Maybe we can arrange for some nutrient injections later? It’s normal to lose your appetite during the early stages of pregnancy," Lucas suggested with a smile.

But the mention of pregnancy brought a shadow over his face as he remembered not being by Isabella’s side when she was expecting.

"Whatever the doctor recommends," Ella said weakly, her energy drained.

Eric gently stroked her hair, treating her like a precious gem. His tone was careful and soft. "The doctors here are excellent. Everything will be fine."

Lucas watched the young couple’s tender interaction, and a pang of guilt struck him. If anything had happened to Eric, Ella might have been left alone to grieve for him forever, just as Lucas had mourned Isabella.

...

The results arrived quickly, and the doctor entered the room with a broad smile. "Congratulations, Mrs. Nelson! You’re going to be a mother!"

Ella’s face lit up with joy, and Eric couldn’t hide his excitement. After thanking the doctor, Eric bombarded them with questions about precautions and care.

When the doctor mentioned, "No strenuous activities," Eric’s face flushed, and he gave an awkward chuckle.

Lucas, equally thrilled, turned to Ella. "Ella, try for a few more kids, won’t you?"

Ella smiled faintly. "We’ll see."

She agreed that having siblings was beneficial—only children tended to be spoiled and self-centered.

"However," the doctor added, "Mrs. Nelson has mild anemia. Make sure she stays relaxed and avoids stress, as it could affect the baby."

Eric nodded vigorously, taking every word seriously. Lucas and the doctor continued discussing Ella’s condition, ultimately deciding against nutrient injections, as natural nutrition was preferable.

...

After leaving the hospital, Lucas reminded Eric to finalize the wedding plans quickly. Otherwise, they’d have to wait until after the baby was born.

Eric insisted that the wedding was necessary, even if it added to his workload. He assured them he could handle everything himself without burdening Ella.