Chapter 1459


    Eleanor’s tentative questioning made Bernard bow his head. “In that case,” he said, his voice heavy


    with concern, ‘your chances of survival are only 10%. If we operate now, it might go up to 30%”


    Bernard reached out with his other hand to gently trace the features of Eleanor’s face, her eyebrows,


    her eyes, her contours. ‘Eleanor,” he implored, “I can’t bear the thought of losing you again. Forget


    about the baby for now. Please, just focus on staying alive, okay?”


    Upon hearing the dire statistics, Eleanor felt as if she had plunged into a frigid abyss. The thought that


    both she and her unborn child might die left her heart wrenching with sorrow. She had faced death


    before and no longer feared it, but Bernard…


    Lifting her tear-filled eyes to Bernard whose face had paled with concern, she whispered, “It doesn’t


    matter if I die, but I just can’t bear to leave you behind.”


    The thought of leaving Bernard brought tears streaming down her cheeks, spilling like pearls from a


    severed string. Each warm tear thatnded on Bernard’s hand was like a knife to his throat, each one


    tightening the grip of pain and sorrow.


    Bernard, swallowing the razor-sharp anguish, grasped Eleanor’s hand and ced it over his heart.


    Then, with a voice full of resolve and authority, he dered, “I won’t let you die.”


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    Without his permission, not even the grim reaper could take her away. And if death dared to snatch her,


    Bernard would follow it into the depths of hell itself, bing a vengeful spirit to y all the reapers.


    Eleanor, looking into his bloodshot eyes, attempted a bitter smile. “I’ve already had a heart transnt,


    and now with this high-risk pregnancy and my clotting disorder… the odds aren’t good. So…”


    She gently pushed Bernard’s hand away, cing it on her swollen belly as if making a resolute


    decision. Looking squarely at him, she said, “Since I’m likely to die no matter what, I’d rather the baby


    live.”


    Every mother wants the best for her child. Hiding the sadness in her eyes, Eleanor pleaded, “Please,


    let me carry this baby to term. That way, even if I’m gone, you won’t be alone-you’ll have our child.”


    Bernard felt a chill at Eleanor’s choice, his body turning cold and rigid. ring at her, now only


    concerned for the child, he gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “èleanor, listen to me. I don’t


    care about the baby. I care about you. If you choose the baby over yourself, then I’ll die with you.”


    Her eyes reddened anew at his words. “Bernard, why are you so foolish? Without me, you’ll still have


    our baby. It’s the same thing.”


    “It’s not the same!” Bernard’s voice, usually cool andposed, erupted in a near roar.


    “Without you, nothing else matters!”


    Bernard rarely lost his temper with her, but now, for the first time, Eleanor felt truly frightened. She


    stared at him through misty eyes, too afraid to speak further.


    Seeing fear in her eyes, Bernard quickly reined in his anger, pleading desperately, “Eleanor, I’m


    begging you-don’t make this choice. I truly can’t bear to lose you.”


    He was earnestly begging her, his eyes filled with unspeakable pain, conveying the sheer torment of


    his soul at the thought of life without her.


    Torn, Eleanor lowered her head to gaze at her pregnant belly. Inside, her baby squirmed-a vivid, vibrant


    life. How could she possibly let go?


    “Eleanor.” Bernard, holding her wrist with one hand and bracing himself on the hospital bed with the


    other, knelt down before her without a moment’s hesitation, his knees hitting the floor with a thud,


    “Please.”.


    As he knelt and uttered those words, Eleanor’s heart clenched. She was well aware of Bernard’s


    pronounced pride. Yet here he was, who shone like the stars, kneeling before her in supplication.


    Seeing Bernard in such a humbled state, Eleanor’s heart ached. She tried to free herself from his grip


    to help him up, but he wouldn’t rise. He just sat there, silent, gazing at her with eyes full of despair.


    As if he would kneel forever if she didn’t relent, he gambled on herpassion, her love for him. And it


    paid off. Eleanor, taking his face in her hands and looking into his exquisite features, relented, “No


    matter what, we have to try to save the baby.”


    Even though the chances were slim for the baby to survive given her condition, they would try


    everything. They would seek the best doctors, exhaust every option. If there was even a 30% chance,


    to Eleanor, it was worth everything.


    Eleanor’spromise was Bernard’s salvation. The tension in his body released, and even though a


    C-section carried its risks, it offered a better chance than 10%. As long as there was hope, he would do


    anything and everything to protect her.