Chapter 1

The next morning, Willow started arguing with Luke on the phone, as usual.

“Are you crazy? Why are you calling at 7:30 a.m.?”

Luke chuckled lazily on the other end. “I’m just worried about you driving Samuel to his death. The hospital starts seeing patients at 8 a.m., but you’d still be picking the color of your lipstick at 9 a.m. Your baby is more punctual than you are.”

Willow slammed her eyebrow pencil on the basin. “Seeing how rude you are, your tongue will rot sooner than later.”

I stood at the door of the bedroom and watched as her cheeks turned red from all the yelling.

In the past, I would play the peacemaker at this point. “That’s enough. He just likes running his mouth. Don’t pay him any mind.”

Willow would then complain at that point. “Look at your childhood buddy. Even dogs hate him.”

I believed that they hated each other for years.

When we reached the hospital entrance, Luke was already waiting for us.

He wore a black windbreaker and held two cups of milk as well as the number for the consultation.

It was not easy to get a consultation number at a private hospital.

Willow told me that Luke had a university friend working here, so he knew the process of queuing, paying, and collecting the medical report better than we did.

Back then, I would have thought that Luke had finally learned some human decency.

When Willow saw him, she scowled. “Why did you buy milk? I want to puke just from the smell.”

Luke stuffed one of the cups into my hands. “Yours. With added sugar.”

Then, he gave the other cup to her. “Yours. Without sugar, and warm. Don’t puke on my shoes. They’re expensive.”

Willow scoffed in disdain before taking it. “You’re so annoying.”

Even as she insulted him, she held the cup with steady hands.

I took a look at my cup of milk.

It was with sugar. That had been my preference two years ago.

Later, to support Willow as she worked to get ready for her pregnancy, I stopped drinking sweet drinks.

Luke did not know about that, but he did know that Willow could not drink anything cold or stand the smell of anything sweet.

When we arrived at the door to the examination room, the nurse told us that only one family member could enter with the patient.

Just as I was getting up, Willow grabbed my hand. “Don’t. The last time you watched them draw blood, your face grew paler than mine.”

Luke snickered. “Samuel, if you faint before the baby is born, it’ll be so embarrassing.”

Willow kicked him. “Shut up!”

With exaggerated motions, Luke dodged her kick. “Fine. I’ll go inside and get yelled at instead. You’re going to have to go to church and ask God’s blessing just for me later, Willow.”

“I’ll ask God to curse you instead.”

They argued as they went into the examination room.

Once the door was shut, the corridor fell silent.

I sat down in my chair. The hot milk burned the skin between my thumb and index finger, leaving it red.

Through the door, I could hear Willow whisper, “Don’t touch the report.”

“If I don’t look, how will I know whether my… godson is going to turn out ugly?” Luke asked with a grin.

Willow immediately shot back, “Shut up! He’s not your godson.”

“Fine. Just Stane junior then.”

They started arguing again, as if they were really going after each other’s throats.

I recalled Willow laughing in the voice message.

The checkup ended, and Willow came out with an ultrasound report.

Her eyes were sparkling as she showed me the report. “Samuel, look! Look at the little hands!”

I stared at the blurry image.

Meanwhile, Luke peeked over her shoulder and said sarcastically, “Let’s hope the nose doesn’t take after Willow and the mouth doesn’t take after me. Better if the baby takes after Samuel instead. At least then, it’ll be quiet and won’t cause trouble.”

Willow immediately smacked his arm. “Oh, stop flattering yourself!”

As Luke dodged her, he accidentally knocked into my hand, right where the milk had burned me. I could not help frowning.

Only then did Willow notice the redness. “Why is your hand red?”

“The milk was too hot and burned me.”

She immediately looked for the burn cream in her handbag. She looked for a while and could not find it. Finally, she turned on Luke. “Why did you buy something so hot? If he gets hurt, who’s going to pay for it? You?”

“Would he want me paying for it?” Luke grinned.

Willow was about to start yelling again when I said, “There’s no need. It doesn’t hurt.”

She froze for a moment. “You’re always like this.”

I did not ask what she meant.

She then gave me the ultrasound scan and said softly, “Let’s put it on the fridge later. Have you thought of any names yet? We can pick one tonight.”

I looked at the report.

Emrhys, Salem, Amon, Alin…

Those were the names I had saved on my phone yesterday, like little lights that had never had the chance to shine.