?<strong>Chapter 501:</strong>


    Clive’s brow furrowed deeply. “Your morning sickness seems really severe. I think I should have a word with your doctor. Would it be okay if I ask her for some medication for you?”


    Shaking her head, Elyse stopped him. “I shouldn’t be taking too much medication. The doctor already mentioned it’s a normal symptom of pregnancy, though mine seems to be more intense than usual. I just have to endure it,” she replied, her voice weary.


    Clive crouched down, his eyes fixed on her paleplexion. “Is there really no other option?” he asked, his concern evident.


    Elyse could only shake her head in despair.


    With a sigh, Clive said, “I’ll ask the chef to make you some light food. You need to eat something.”


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    Elyse managed a weak smile. “Don’t worry about it. It’s already toote. Let’s not bother the chef. Driscoll already made some food for me. Right now, I feel like I might vomit and I’ve lost my appetite.”


    “What’s your n now?” Clive inquired.


    “I’m going to lie down,” Elyse responded. She removed her slippers, pulled up the nket, and nestled into bed. As she closed her eyes, feeling the urge to vomit subside, she murmured, “I don’t feel like vomiting anymore. I think I’ll take a nap.”


    Clive grunted softly, watching her with a tender gaze that lingered on her bare knees. He stared for a moment before he leaned down and carefully draped the nket over her legs. His Adam’s apple moved noticeably.


    “You should be more careful. Your knees were showing,” he chided gently, his voice a bit rough.


    With her eyes still closed, Elyse was unaware of Clive’s odd expression. She curled her lips into a faint smile and said, “Thanks for looking after me, Clive. You’ve been by my side for so long. What about your work? Peyton mentioned you’ve got a lot to handle.”


    Clive’s voice softened. “The work can wait. Right now, the most important thing is to take care of you. If anything were to happen to you under my watch, I’d never forgive myself.”


    Elyse was nearly asleep. “Is that so? I’m sorry to be such a bother,” she whispered. With those words, she breathed evenly and fell asleep.


    Clive didn’t leave. Instead, he stood silently, rooted to the spot, gazing at her sleeping form. He had never before seen her face in such a peaceful state. This was how she looked while asleep, he realized.


    Countless thoughts raced through his mind, but he dismissed each one. Elyse was Jayden’s wife, and Clive was resolved to protect her on Jayden’s behalf, ensuring she never came to harm again.


    When Irving arrived at the hospital and located the ward, he found Clive standing by the bed, looking at Elyse with affection.


    Without a moment’s hesitation, Irving threw a punch at him. Clive dodged just in time.


    Irving, seething with anger, confronted him. “You son of a bitch! Why did you get Elyse pregnant? Don’t you know her career is on the rise? How can shepete abroad now that she’s pregnant?”


    Taken aback, Clive soon realized this hostile man was Elyse’s senior, who had mistaken him for her husband. Struggling for words and still regaining his bnce, Clive rified, “You’ve misunderstood. I’m not Elyse’s husband. I’m just a friend of hers.”


    Irving sneered back, “A friend? You dare do such a thing and thenck the courage to admit it? Shame on you!”


    Clive attempted to exin once more, “No, Mister. You’ve got it wrong. I’m not her husband. If you don’t believe me, ask Elyse yourself.”


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