Chapter 1305:

Rylie ended the video call and looked up just as Brad approached, carrying two glasses of juice and wearing a small, easy smile.

She pushed her laptop aside, took a sip, and then looked at him—a radiant, unguarded smile spreading slowly across her face.

Brad felt a flutter of curiosity under her gaze. “What’s got you smiling like that?” he asked.

“Dominic’s experiment was a success,” Rylie said, her eyes bright with excitement. “Your condition can be completely treated.”

Brad went still.

Though he had long acted as though it were of little consequence, the daily dependence on medication and the ever-present threat of the neurotoxins had always hung over him like a blade. Rylie, as always, understood the weight of that burden better than anyone.

“Really?” he asked, his voice quiet, barely managing to hold his reaction in check.

Rylie nodded firmly. “I’ve checked every detail twice. There’s no error. Once the baby arrives, you can begin treatment and free yourself from all of it.”

𝗔𝗱𝘥𝘪𝗰𝗍𝘪𝗏𝖾 s𝘵𝗼𝘳𝗶𝗲𝗌 𝗼𝗻 gа𝘭n𝗼𝘷𝘦l𝘀.со𝘮

Brad was silent for a few moments, absorbing the words, before wrapping his arms gently around her.

“Thank you, my love,” he whispered, his voice low and slightly unsteady—carrying everything he didn’t quite have the words for.

Rylie leaned into Brad’s chest, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “Why are you thanking me?” she teased. “You’re the father of our child. Looking after you is my responsibility—nothing more, nothing less.” She tilted her gaze up to his, mischief dancing in her eyes. “And once you’re back to full strength, we’ll have all the time in the world together.”

Brad bent slightly and pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to the center of her forehead. “Alright,” he murmured, his voice quiet and full of warmth.

They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, watching the sun descend slowly across the horizon as the sky burned with golden-orange light that spilled into the room.

After a few moments, Rylie shifted slightly, easing back just enough to set down her glass—and then looked up at him with an expression that made his heart stutter.

Brad’s eyes met hers, and a sudden awareness washed over him. That look, one he had seen all too often over the past few days, stirred something familiar and irresistible.

“Rylie…” he began, but before he could finish, she rose onto her toes and looped her arms around his neck, pulling him close with a teasing urgency. “How about a little celebration?” she murmured, her lips brushing lightly against his chin, her voice low and playful. “Does that sound good?”

His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed, amusement and desire mingling in his gaze. “Okay… but…” His hand slid gently to her waist as though she were made of something breakable. “But you’re…”

“Seven months along. I’m fine,” Rylie interrupted, her fingers tracing idle patterns across his chest. “I’m a doctor. I know my own body better than anyone. Trust me—it’s completely fine.”

Brad hesitated, his gaze lingering on the curve of her belly. “Still…” he murmured.

“Brad.” Her voice cut gently through the quiet, a faint note of hurt threading beneath it. “You don’t want me?”

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