Chapter 617

Half a year later.

It's the middle of September, and the summer heat is brutal.

Outside the villa, the greenery's going wild, and the cicadas are having a full-on concert in the trees.

Layla's eyes were glued to the big watermelon in Samuel's hands. "Come on, hurry up!"

Samuel scooped out the juiciest, reddest part with a spoon. "Just one bite, okay? Only one."

"Got it," Layla nodded like a bobblehead. "Hurry up."

She took a bite and practically melted. "Oh my God, it's so good... so sweet... I need another bite."

"Nope, doc said no watermelon for pregnant ladies, especially with you being three days away from your due date."

"One more bite won't kill me. Some pregnant women chow down on Mexican food before popping out a baby."

"No chance!"

"If you don't let me, I'll cry." Layla pouted. "Don't you know a pregnant woman's mood is super important? If I'm bummed, the baby will be too."

"You're pulling that card again?" Samuel sighed, feeling defeated.

How many times had she used this trick to get her way in the past six months? He'd lost count. He was a total pushover when it came to her, always caving even when the doc said no. He spoiled her rotten.

Every time he swore it was the last time, but he always gave in.

"I want it, come on, just one more bite."

"The last bite was supposed to be the last one, remember?"

"This time, for real, it's the last bite," Layla begged. "Pretty please."

"No way!"

There'd be plenty of stuff she couldn't eat after the baby came too. He had to stay strong. Samuel reminded himself for the millionth time, 'absolutely not!'

Layla pouted harder, glaring at him. "You don't love me."

"I do love you, that's why I can't let you have it."

"No, you don't love me enough. People say if you love someone, you'll respect her and give her what she wants. If you can still say no, you don't love her enough," Layla argued, not missing a beat.

She used to think being pregnant was awesome, like a free pass to eat whatever without worrying about weight. But now, she realized it was a total scam. Pregnancy came with crazy cravings and those nasty supplements. It was nothing like she imagined, and she felt super cheated.

"No, it's because I love you that I have to be firm, babe," Samuel said gently. "Just three more days, can you hang in there?"

"It's not just three days. After the baby, I'll be breastfeeding, and for a whole year, I can't eat what I want. It's so unfair. It's all your fault for getting me pregnant. Why do I have to suffer? If I knew, I wouldn't have done it. I regret it..."

Pregnant women have wild mood swings. Usually, she was chill, but whenever she couldn't eat what she wanted, the waterworks started, making Samuel feel both heartbroken and helpless.

"Don't cry, it's my fault."

"Yeah, it's all your fault. You say watermelon's bad for pregnant women, but really, you just think I'm fat. You despise me!" she sobbed.

"I don't."

"You do. I know I weigh 150 pounds now, like a dinosaur. You don't even wanna touch me."

This was getting out of hand. Samuel couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're laughing, you heartless jerk!" Layla accused.

"No, I... I don't even know what to say anymore," Samuel said, feeling defeated. "I hold you every night, doesn't that count as wanting to touch you?"

"You're not holding me, you're holding the baby. You're doing it for the baby, not for me. You think I'm fat and ugly, but don't forget, I used to be a pretty girl. It's only because of the pregnancy that I've become ugly."

All this over a piece of watermelon?

Samuel caved again, "Okay, I'll let you have another bite, alright?"

"I don't want it anymore."

"I'm begging you, baby, please have another bite," Samuel pleaded, almost on his knees.

Layla finally said, "You begged me to eat it."

"Yes, yes, I'm begging you to eat it."

Samuel scooped a big piece, and Layla ate it. "Happy now? No more crying?"

Layla sniffled, her red eyes glaring at him.

"Alright, baby, give me a smile. You look the cutest when you smile," Samuel coaxed.

"I just got mad at you, I can't smile."

"What will make you smile? Should I let you bite me?"

"Your muscles are so hard, who wants to bite you?" Layla said, still annoyed.

"Then what will make you smile?"

"I want to eat watermelon again tomorrow."

"No way."

"You don't love me," Layla said, about to cry again.

"Okay, okay, you can eat it tomorrow, but only two bites."

"Deal."

"Can you smile now?"

Layla grinned, dissolving into laughter. She knew she was being childish, crying and laughing over two bites of watermelon. It had to be the pregnancy hormones; otherwise, she wouldn't be so emotional.

"After I give birth and finish breastfeeding, I want to eat whatever I want every day."

"Okay."

"I want to eat all kinds of delicious food," she said firmly.

"Okay, okay, I'll eat with you, my baby!"

"That's more like it."

"Now, baby, how about getting up for a walk? You haven't moved all day."

"I'm tired, I don't want to walk."

"No way, the doctor said you need to walk for at least half an hour every day. No slacking today."

"You're bullying me again. I'm carrying such a big belly, walking is tiring for me, okay? You're not the one pregnant, it's easy for you to say."

Samuel shook his head. "I wish I could be the one pregnant. Come on, let's walk for the baby. Just three more days, let's hang in there, okay?"

Layla couldn't resist his pleading. She put her hand on his arm, using one hand to support her waist as she stood up.

It was scorching outside, so they walked back and forth in the sunlight by the window.

"Slow down, no rush."

"Okay, baby, you're doing great."

"Keep it up," Samuel encouraged her.

Layla suddenly laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" Samuel asked.

"I think you could be a maternity nurse. You're so good at encouraging people and have such a good temper."

"That's just for you. If it were anyone else, I would've thrown them out long ago."

Layla pouted, "Are you saying I'm troublesome?"