BXBX NOVEL Chapter 246
When she mentioned the baby shower, her fans screeched with delight.
When she said that Lucien was going to help her with the preparation, most became skeptical. A lot of people could not hold their mouths and express their skepticism in words.
“Watch out, Lillian, he is going to ruin your shower!”
“I don’t trust that husband stealer!”
Although the comments were not directed at her, Lillian could not help but feel bad for Lucien. Her main goal was to promote her pregnancy and good relationship with Ronan. She never planned to drag Lucien down at the same time.
Ironically, she who harbored no ill intentions toward Lucien was the one who stabbed him again and again. Lucrethia Woodland, the real perpetrator, hid behind a thick curtain and pulled strings from the darkness.
Better late than never.
Lillian ignored all the hate comments and kept posting updates about her upcoming baby shower. Thankfully, most of her fans were fickle.
.....
As pictures and videos of the baby shower preparation circulated, they started to change their opinions of Lucien. Lucien’s participation in planning the baby shower was seen as a sign of goodwill.
It was all also thanks to Lillian who praised Lucien to the moon and back for being so kind and understanding and helpful throughout the process.
The truth didn’t matter.
When attacks on Lucien subsided, the Clearwater Contemporary Art Gallery tried to revive the “Hidden Treasures Under The Sea”. From the beginning, the program had nothing to do with promoting Lucien’s works. It was geared to help unknown artists rise to the surface.
After Lucien’s name was cleared, people started to be more open-minded. The talks to restart the program received positive feedback from the art society, particularly from the creators that would benefit from the free display.
Once everything was set, Lucien received a call from Mr. Enoch Boyd, the art gallery curator.
He extended him another invitation to the art gallery.
“There will be no unveiling. That one was done. This time there will just be a garden party to kickstart the program.”
“I am happy to hear that,” Lucien said.
That was all. The rejection was implied. Considering what happened the last time, Mr. Boyd, of course, did not expect Lucien to agree right away. That did not mean that he gave up.
“Mr. Clearwater, let bygones be bygones. Let’s start a new page together,” Mr. Boyd told Lucien. “You were instrumental in the conception and execution of this program. It does not feel right to celebrate without you.”
“I will consider it. Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Boyd.”
Lucien heaved a sigh after he ended the call.
It was nighttime on Sunday. Ronan was there to hear the whole thing.
He wrapped his arms around Lucien from behind and kissed his nape.
“What is it?”
“Mm, the art gallery is inviting me to come down there.”
Lucien turned around and pressed a kiss against his mate’s lips.
“Are you not going?”
Lucien raised an eyebrow. “I thought you would be against it.”
The Alpha chuckled.
He circled Lucien’s waist with his arms and pulled him close.
“I want you to be safe. I do not mean to lock you up in the pack house. You should go and have fun.”
That was not the only reason why Ronan wanted Lucien to go.
Weeks of nausea took a toll on Lucien’s body.
By then, he had lost a lot of weight. Ronan summoned various Healers to check up on Lucien. Kinnon Youngshaper too personally sent his Healer over to take a look at Lucien.
Despite their extensive efforts, they could not come up with any cause.
In the end, they all said that it was all due to extensive stress.
It was a known fact that Lucien had been suffering a lot ever since Lillian showed up with her swollen belly. Or maybe even before that.
No matter how strong he was, he was not carved out of stone. Even if he were, stones too caved in when they were at the receiving end of incessant attacks.
Lucien pushed Ronan away and coughed into his fist.
“I don’t really care for it.”
Ronan sighed.
“You are such a liar. You worked so hard to make it happen. How could you not care for it?”
Lucien chuckled.
“I always work hard in whatever I do.”
That he did, to Ronan’s greatest dismay. Lucien literally had to be strapped to the bed to prevent him from running around.
“Why don’t I take a day off on that day to accompany you?” Ronan offered while sliding his hand into Lucien’s hair. “We haven’t gone on a date for a long time.”
“Oh? What an honor. I am rid of the bodyguards but now the Alpha is going to watch me personally.”
“Oh, yes. You can thank me later,” Ronan crooned.
“Pffft, shameless,” Lucien scoffed.
The two men fell into a passionate kiss.
While Ronan plundered Lucien’s lips, his fingers wandered along Lucien’s bony back. His lover had a slender build, but he had never been this thin.
Lucien ate all his meals properly, but he threw up most of them within an hour or two. After that, he refused to take another bite until the next feeding time arrived. He only drank water to keep himself hydrated, but sometimes he threw up water as well.
Lacking better options, the Healer attached an IV needle to the back of Lucien’s hand and feed him among others necessary nutrients and medicine a couple of times a day as they saw fit. At least then Lucien could not throw up anymore.
Ronan’s heart ached terribly whenever he saw Lucien sitting on a chair with his head leaning against the couch rest while he waited for the IV fluid to enter his system.
How Ronan wished that Lucien’s illness could be alleviated with pills.
He tried to get Lucien to pour his heart out many times, but he kept failing.
Lucien hid behind thick walls that he erected around his heart, refusing anyone entry and denying himself relief.