Trying for a Baby

Cohen glanced at her pale face and reached out, holding her hand without thinking. His voice softened slightly. 

“Don’t worry. He just fell and hurt his leg. It shouldn’t be serious.”

Beatrice let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “That’s good…”

A few months ago, his grandfather had nearly died. The doctor said if he had arrived any later, he wouldn’t have made it. That memory still lingered in her mind.

And a year ago, she had watched her own grandfather pass away right in front of her.

She couldn’t bear to see something like that happen again.

Then she suddenly realized that Cohen was holding her hand. Her fingers stiffened before she quickly pulled away.

“The divorce…” he started.

“You don’t have to worry,” Beatrice cut him off calmly. “I won’t use this as an excuse to delay it. Once Grandpa is discharged, we’ll go through with it.”

Her tone was firm, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

She remembered the agreement they signed when they got married. It was generous. When they divorced, she would receive a large settlement.

No love. But at least… there would be money. So why did it still hurt this much?

Cohen didn’t respond. His jaw tightened slightly, a faint trace of mockery crossing his face.

So she really wanted this divorce. 

‘Was she planning to go back to her ex?’ He thought.

Even after being cheated on, she still called that man’s name in her sleep more than once.

The thought made his expression grow colder.

***

At the hospital, they went straight to the VIP ward.

Beatrice pushed the door open and immediately walked inside.

“Grandpa, thank God you’re okay,” she said, her eyes slightly red but her smile bright.

Old Mr. Reed chuckled. “It’s just a fall. But at my age, who knows? Next time I might not wake up.”

“Don’t say that,” Beatrice said quickly, “You’ll live a long life.”

Her chest tightened as she spoke. Her own grandfather had passed away after a fall like that.

She didn’t want to relive that pain.

Old Mr. Reed looked at her, then glanced at Cohen before patting her hand gently. “I still want to see you two have a child.”

Beatrice froze.

“Grandpa, I…” She lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. If he hadn’t been injured today, she and Cohen would have already finalized their divorce.

The old man sighed softly. “Your grandfather passed with regrets. I don’t want the same for myself. But I also don’t want to pressure you. Children will come when they come.”

Beatrice felt her chest tighten even more.

Out of everyone in this family, the person who treated her best besides her own grandfather was him.

She didn’t want him to leave with regrets.

Cohen glanced at the old man and spoke calmly, “We’ve been trying.”

The room fell quiet for a second.

Old Mr. Reed’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Beatrice flushed slightly and nodded. “Really… I guess I’m just not very lucky yet.”

She knew Cohen was only saying it to comfort him. But at some point, she had genuinely been willing. 

Willing to have a child with him.

Old Mr. Reed smiled, clearly relieved. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Stay relaxed. It’ll happen.”

“Okay,” she said softly.

After a while, the old man said he was tired and sent them away.

***

Back at the Reed residence, the silence between them felt heavier than before.

Cohen spoke first. “We’ll divorce after the child is born.”

Beatrice stopped walking and turned to look at him, her brows knitting together. “I agreed to have a child for Grandpa’s sake. But who do you think you are, deciding when we divorce? You don’t get to change things whenever you want.”

Cohen met her gaze calmly. “I’ll give you ten million.”

She blinked. “What?”

“On top of what’s already in the agreement.”

Beatrice swallowed.

Ten million… just for having a child?

“…Fine,” she said after a pause.

“Good. I’ll have my assistant send over a new contract.”

“Alright.”

She turned and headed upstairs.

“Where are you going?” Cohen asked, frowning.

“I’ll be staying at the dorm. I’ll come back twice a week,” she said without turning around. “Tuesday and Friday. We’ll… handle things then. If you have plans, cancel them.”

Cohen’s expression darkened. “You’re telling me to adjust to your schedule?”

Beatrice turned back, meeting his gaze without backing down. “It’s not like I care that much about the money. I still plan to get married again someday. If I have a child, I don’t want it to be an issue.”

A cold smile appeared on his lips. They weren’t even divorced yet, and she was already thinking about marrying someone else.

So everything these past few months… was it all fake?

He actually thought she was serious about building a life with him.

“Stay home Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday,” he said coldly.

“…Fine.”

She crossed her arms. “Since we’re trying for a baby, you should stop drinking and smoking. And before I get pregnant, don’t touch other women. I don’t want to deal with anything… unpleasant. After that, do whatever you want.”

Cohen suddenly stood up and walked toward her.

Shit. The pressure from him was immediate and overwhelming.

Beatrice instinctively turned and ran upstairs but before she could get far, he caught her and lifted her over his shoulder.

“What are you doing?!”

“Trying for a baby.”

“Put me down! If you’ve been with another woman, go get tested first!” she snapped, pushing against his chest.

Cohen stopped mid-step and looked at her. “Who told you I’ve been with someone else?”

“You didn’t come home that night.”

“Are you jealous?” he asked while leaning closer, his tone almost teasing.

Beatrice let out a small, sarcastic laugh. “If Grandpa hadn’t been hospitalized, I’d already be divorced and living my best life.”

“With what? Your intern salary?” he shot back.

“I’ll have money after the divorce. I can go abroad, meet whoever I want—”

She didn’t get to finish because he cut her off with a kiss.

—

The result of her stubbornness was obvious.

By the afternoon, when she arrived at the office, her body ached and her movements are slower than usual.

Her supervisor, Ms. Lane, frowned the moment she saw her. 

“Beatrice, what’s going on with you? You took leave, missed this morning, and now you’re late again.”

“I’m sorry,” Beatrice said quickly, forcing a polite smile. “Something came up. It won’t happen again.”

Her mind, however, was busy cursing Cohen.

Ms. Lane narrowed her eyes. “You’re not pregnant, are you? Because if you are, I’ll have to let you go.”

Beatrice straightened immediately. “No, absolutely not.”

She had worked too hard to get here. She couldn’t lose this opportunity.

“Get back to work.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Beatrice returned to her desk, exhaustion weighing on her body. As an intern in the investment department, she mostly handled small tasks like filing, organizing, basic reports. She hadn’t even touched a real project yet.

Three hours later, it was finally time to leave.

As she stepped out of the building, she saw a woman approaching her.

Even with sunglasses and a mask, Beatrice recognized her immediately.

“Beatrice. Long time no see,” the woman said with a faint smile.

Beatrice’s expression turned cold. “What do you want?”

“Do you have time for coffee? I’d like to talk.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you.”

She turned to leave but the woman grabbed her arm.

“Don’t you want to know where Cohen stayed the past two nights?”