We're in a Contract Marriage, But I've Imprinted - Chapter 110
At first glance at her face, I hadn’t noticed, but her fingers, neck, and the exposed areas looked as if they were mere bones. Speechless, I stared at her dumbfoundedly, and Nicola quickly hid her hands behind her back, speaking hastily.
“Child, you shouldn’t delve further. Don’t say it.”
“…..What are you talking about?”
“Once you put it into words, greed grows like a snowball. It will only make you suffer.”
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”
I truly couldn’t grasp what she was trying to say, but an unexplained sense of anxiety washed over me. Despite trembling, she continued.
“Pretend you don’t know, live as if you’re unaware. That’s the only way to avoid falling into hell. I’ve already committed an unforgivable sin and deserve to live in hell, but you don’t.”
With those words, Nicola hurriedly left the room. The conversation left a lingering discomfort, and although I wanted to follow her, the chains tightened after just a few steps from the bed.
When it was just the two of us, I hardly noticed the chains. Ironically, I used to appreciate them, thinking they were a sign of his affection.
But why did I feel so frustrated and scared now? For the first time, the presence of the shackles weighed heavily on me.
* * *
When Ian returned from the Marquisate, he reassured me with a relieved expression.
“As childbirth approaches, the fetus takes all the nutrients from the mother. It seems like you’re going through that process. Since infants require their parents’ pheromones when they’re young, it’s not strange to think about it this way.”
“Ah…”
“The Omega at Marquisate Ovando also experienced a complete disappearance of pheromones right before giving birth. The Marquis had looked for the reason just like me, so he was able to give an answer immediately.”
It was a symptom I hadn’t anticipated. After all, since getting pregnant, Ian and I had influenced each other significantly. Imagine how much more so for our child.
It was inevitable to feel a trace of bitterness at his words. What if Omegas weren’t so disparaged? Could we have formed a happy, harmonious family as Alphas? If so, we wouldn’t have to worry so much in situations like these.
The mothers of each family would have guided and supported us.
Nicola’s visit had left me feeling increasingly uneasy. Would our relationship have been different if the bond between Alpha and Omega was more harmonious?
“Why so troubled? Are you still not at ease?”
Ian must have noticed the complexity of my emotions, as he gently stroked my head and asked. Not wanting to burden him with my worries, I forced a smile and changed the subject.
“So, we’ll soon be able to see our baby, right?”
At my question, he quietly lifted the corners of his mouth in a bright smile that highlighted the dimple I adored. It seemed he was as eagerly anticipating the arrival of our child as I was, lifting my spirits.
“Make sure to eat well. You need to replenish your strength.”
“Yes, I will.”
We continued our meal with our conversation. Ian thoughtfully cut the steak into bite-sized pieces for me. Although my appetite was lacking, I chewed slowly, mindful of the need to maintain my strength.
After dinner, as usual, he bathed me, warmed me up, and then we settled into bed under the covers.
Cradling my swollen belly, with him holding me from behind, our soon-to-be family of three fell asleep just like any other night.
* * *
“Huu…”
I woke up in the pitch-dark early morning, with my stomach in severe pain. Without much thought, I realized labor had begun. But the pain was so intense, far beyond what I had imagined, that I couldn’t keep silent.
“Uhhh…”
As I curled around my belly, Ian’s sleepy voice reached my ears.
“Does it hurt?”
“…Young, Young Lord.”
At my call, he quickly sat up and then yelled out.
“Call the doctor!”
There must have been servants waiting nearby, as there had been sounds outside our room late into the night recently. The response came immediately, followed by the sound of someone running off.
“Hah.”
“…What can I do? Huh? Should I rub your belly?”
His voice, filled with as much panic as mine, oddly reassured me. It wasn’t just me who was clueless. The fact that this situation was new to him too somehow gave me a sense of stability.
“Please, hold, my hand.”
“Mel, it’ll be okay. I’m right here with you.”
His words were incredibly reassuring. Yet, I clutched his hand with both of mine, desperately ensuring he wouldn’t leave my side.
Praying fervently that I could keep holding on like this, I screamed through the pain. As my body tensed up against his, the door burst open, and the doctor along with the midwife rushed in.
It was the signal for a very long night.
* * *
“Uuuh-huuh.”
“You’re doing well! Push harder!”
Encouraged by the midwife, Melissa’s whole body shook with effort. She clenched down hard every time, that it felt like she might damage her teeth, even though she bit on a handkerchief.
Ian, unable to offer help beyond holding her hand, finally discarded the bothersome handkerchief and offered his own hand instead.
“Uuhk, no…”
Melissa turned her head away, refusing to bite his hand.
“Shh, it’s okay. This doesn’t bother me at all, go ahead and bite.”
Although it was something needed for the situation, he was uncomfortable with the idea. Having watched his Omega struggle with pain for hours, Ian, driven slightly mad with frustration, gently tapped her lips with the back of his hand, urging her again.
“Come on. Mel.”
Faced with his firm command, Melissa reluctantly bit the side of his hand. That moment, a fierce contraction came. Strength surged through her body, and she instinctively bit down hard on his hand.
Only then, Ian felt a slight relief from his previous frustration. Though the pain he felt was nothing compared to what his Omega was enduring, sharing in the pain together brought him a sense of exhilaration.