Over the past three years, whenever they returned to Heaven Island, if Arthur wasn’t right by Ashley’s side, the elders would pull him away. In that time, he’d picked up a surprising amount of practical knowledge. Hearing him mention “the people from Heaven Island” made Ashley flush again. Arthur didn’t know that whenever the men dragged him off, the older women would do the same to her—teaching her not only how to manage a home, but also sharing little secrets to make conceiving a child easier. The memory alone was enough to make her cheeks warm. Ever since Ashley became pregnant, Arthur had thrown himself into research, and the family doctor had become one of the people he saw most often. He handed off most of his work to subordinates. Business could wait; Ashley’s comfort came first, especially when her morning sickness hit. Under his care, Ashley had filled out a bit. As her belly grew, walking became harder, and the many discomforts of pregnancy began to weigh on her. Arthur saw it all and felt it like a knife to the heart. He wished he could take her place and bear it for her. Only after watching her go through the full range of symptoms did he truly understand how hard pregnancy could be—nausea that stole her appetite, sudden vomiting at any time, swollen feet, and nights spent wide awake until dawn. Finally, after months of hardship, it happened—one night, Ashley’s belly clenched with a sudden, fierce pain. Arthur had just fallen asleep when he heard her restless, pained groans. He was instantly awake. “Baby, what’s wrong? Where does it hurt?” Months of this had left him on edge; even the faintest sound could jolt him up. Ashley clutched her stomach, her lips pale, her forehead slick with cold sweat. “I… my stomach… it hurts…” she managed between breaths. Arthur froze. All his usual composure vanished. He bolted from the room, shouting, “Doctor! Doctor! Doctor!” The noise was loud enough to wake the whole house. Ashley quickly caught his sleeve. “Don’t shout. I’m going into labor.”Another contraction hit, then passed, and her face regained a bit of color. But Arthur’s voice only grew louder. “Doctor! Doctor! My wife’s having the baby! She’s having the baby!” He was practically yelling like a pig being slaughtered, making Ashley’s head pound. Lights flared to life all over the house. It wasn’t just Arthur who’d been run ragged these past months; the doctors, maids, and butlers had all been on edge. Any little thing, Arthur called for them. They’d long since split into day and night shifts so someone would always be on hand. Within moments, the doctor arrived, shoes still half-on. A quick check, and he announced, “She’s in labor! Quick, get her to the hospital!” The night-shift driver jolted upright—after months of waiting, it was finally time. Maids moved efficiently to gather the prepared maternity bag, the doctor called the prearranged hospital, and the butler arranged for a nurse to ride along. Everything ran like clockwork—except Arthur, who stood there in a daze. Ashley was having the baby. Now that it was really happening, it felt so sudden that his mind went blank. A new contraction tore through her, and Ashley gritted her teeth, grabbing his arm. “Hurry, help me to the car.” Arthur nodded quickly. “Oh—right, right.” At last, he seemed to get his bearings, fumbling to support her toward the door. She barely took two steps before doubling over in pain again. Seeing her in such agony sent him into a panic. Without thinking, he bent down and scooped her into his arms. Ashley gasped, almost certain the baby would come out right then and there. The doctor nearly jumped. “Careful! Slow down! Madam can’t be startled right now—sir, please be gentle.”