7: Pouring Out Medicine

Her words were blunt—not at all like Serena's tactful manner.

Serena appeared slightly embarrassed. "I didn't mean that."

Lillian wasn't interested in interpreting her meaning.

Before she left, Derek had prescribed some medicine, instructing Serena, "Even though your friend is reluctant, if she can drink the medicine, she should. It's a herbal concoction; it won't harm her body. A few doses should do."

"Okay," Serena took the herbal medicine.

The trio left the clinic and returned to the Qin residence.

Qin Residence

The car door opened, and Lillian, fighting discomfort, stepped out, eager to go upstairs and sleep.

But as she alighted from the car, she stumbled, nearly falling forward, caught just in time by Oliver who had stepped out behind her.

His brows furrowed as he looked at her, "Still refusing medicine and injections when you're like this... you really are something."

Serena, following them out of the car, hastened to Lillian's side and took her from Oliver.

"Oliver, let me help."

With Serena's assistance, Lillian entered the Qin residence, where even the servants greeted her warmly.

The servants were visibly surprised to see Serena.

Once Serena escorted Lillian upstairs, the servants couldn't help but huddle together and gossip.

"Did I see wrong? Was that Miss Serena?"

"Who's Miss Serena?"

The veteran servants knew of Serena, but some of the new hires did not.

"Serena? The lady our Master fancies, you don't know?" 

"Our Master's preference?" One of them gasped. "But isn't he married already?"

"Marriages in wealthy families are mostly for business alliances; they seldom involve real affection," one seasoned servant lectured the newcomers with pride. "You're new here, you wouldn't understand. I witnessed it before; not only did our Master fancy Serena, but she also saved his life. She was abroad studying, and he was waiting for her."

"Then why did he marry his wife?"

"It was all because the Qin family matriarch fell ill and wanted to see him settled. He had no choice but to find someone as a stand-in, and just at that time, the Shen family went bankrupt, see?"

Concluding her piece with a raised eyebrow, she warned, "This is a secret among the affluent families, not many know about it, so don't spread it around."

"I thought our Master and his wife were in love. I didn't expect it to be a facade."

"How could it be real? It's all for show, you naive child..."

Their chatter was cut off by a stern cough.

Turning around, they saw the butler, who had approached unnoticed, his face shadowed with disapproval.

"Do you not have work to do?"

The group scattered like birds.

After they left, the butler stood there, his graying brows furrowed. So Serena had returned...

No wonder he felt something was off with the lady of the house last night.

Serena helped Lillian back to her room.

"Thank you."

"Don’t mention it," Serena smiled. "Rest well."

"Will do." Lillian slipped off her shoes and lay down, noticing Oliver trailing behind. His gaze drifted over her, then lingered on Serena.

"Shall I take you home?"

This was, after all, the Qin residence, and for the moment, Serena had no reason to stay longer. She nodded.

"Alright."

Before leaving, Serena cast one last glance at the room, her eyes catching a glimpse of a man's custom-tailored suit on the coat rack. Only Oliver would wear such a style. Her face paled slightly, lips pressed tight as she followed Oliver out.

Once they were gone, Lillian opened her eyes, staring at the blank ceiling, lost in thought.

What about the baby? What was she to do? Pregnancy wasn't like other secrets.

She could hide her feelings for him for a year, two, even ten, without issue.

But pregnancy? That was different. It would show in time, and she couldn't hide it.

The more she thought, the dizzier she became until she sank into a deep, dream-filled sleep.

In her dreams...

Lillian felt her clothes being unbuttoned, followed by something cold covering her. The coolness against her fevered skin was a relief, and she sighed contentedly, instinctively wrapping her arms and legs around the person's arm.

She heard a muffled groan and heavy breathing, her neck was gripped firmly yet gently, and her lips were moistened and sealed.

Something explored her mouth.

Lillian furrowed her brow, biting down on the foreign object, the taste of blood mingling with a man's pained intake of breath.

Then she was pushed away, her cheek pinched hard, a voice chided, "You're so spoiled, biting now, are you?"

Pained, she muttered complaints and shoved the hand away, drifting back to sleep.

When she awoke, night had fallen.

A servant stood by her side, delighted at her awakening.

"Madam, you're awake."

The servant propped her up, touching her forehead. "Thank God, your fever has broken."

Lillian looked at the servant, recalling fragmented memories. "Have you been looking after me?"

The servant's eyes shone brightly with affirmation.

Hope faded from Lillian's eyes.

She had thought... it might have been Oliver caring for her.

But it wasn't.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the servant approached with a bowl of medicine.

"Madam, you're awake just in time, and the medicine is still warm. Time to take it."

The pungent smell of herbal medicine hit her hard, causing Lillian to grimace and turn away.

"Madam, please drink it while it's warm," urged the servant, pushing the bowl closer.

"I’m a bit hungry... could you get me something to eat from downstairs? I promise to finish the medicine by the time you're back."

The servant considered the request, then nodded.

"Alright, I'll fetch some food for the madam, but do remember to take your medicine."

"Of course..."

Once the servant left, Lillian rose and carried the dark concoction to the bathroom, pouring it into the toilet, watching it vanish without a trace.

Hopefully, they wouldn't pester her to drink any more medicine.

She sighed in relief.

But as she turned, she was startled to find Oliver, leaning against the bathroom door, his piercing gaze fixed on her.

"What are you doing?"