The Love Affair(Good Wife Better Mistress)

IS She Fit To Fall Pregnant?

The meal quickly descends into an awkward silence, and they finish eating. Conrad puts his fork down with regret. He wanted nothing more than to taste Nicole's pasta, but Alex's jealousy got in the way. He feels sudden anxiety; Alex's newfound possessiveness is bad news for him. If Alex is interested in Nicole, it'll be almost impossible for her to get him to let her go.

"Are you finished, Conrad? Shall I call for dessert?" Mr. Romano asks.

"If it's okay with you, I'd like to take a look at you first."

Conrad is about to lead him away for treatment, but Romano interrupts him. "Come to the living room and take a look at Nicole first," he says, "I'd like you to use that traditional Chinese pulse-taking style you're so good at."

The pleasant odor of tea fills the living room. Nicole sits on the luxurious jacquard couch and Conrad kneels in front of her to take her pulse. It is as silent as a grave.

Nicole's hand rests on a white napkin with her wrist facing upwards. The delicate blue veins stick out against her fair skin. Conrad gently places his hand on her wrist and closes his eyes to listen carefully.

Everyone stares at them, scared to breathe too loudly. Mr. Romano squints and sips his tea. He has the utmost confidence in Conrad: he knows that the young doctor can treat conditions that other doctors can't name and soothe symptoms that others can't recognize.

Mrs. Romano and Gabg watch with bated breath, hoping that Conrad will proclaim Nicole barren because of the miscarriage . They are delighted when Conrad frowns.

Mr. Romano purses his lips upon seeing Conrad' face, "What is it?"

"I don't think Mrs. Romano has the constitution for a pregnancy," Conrad says.

"I hope you can prescribe a solution," Mr.Romano says.

Alex strides across the room and grabs Nicole's hands, pulling her behind him. He hates seeing this man touch her, even if it's just to take her pulse.

"She needs to take some supplements or else she won't be able to handle a pregnancy," Conrad says to Romano.

"How long will it take for them to work?"

"At least three months. It could take up to six easily."

"Alex approaches Conrad and grabs him by his collar, "Is she really medically unfit for pregnancy or do you oppose it personally?"

"I understand that you care for Mrs. Romano. But it's not up to me whether she gets pregnant or not," Conrad says calmly.

Conrad raises his hands to indicate that he doesn't want to get involved in a fight.

"Get off of him!" Mr. Romano slams his teacup onto the table, "What's wrong with you, Alexandro? Why are you so emotional? Conrad is only giving an honest medical opinion. I want a word with you in the study."

Alex lets go of Conrad but gives him a warning look. Reluctantly, he follows his grandfather into the study.

"I'll go get my husband's blood pressure drugs," Mrs. Romano announces, "This stress can't be good for him."

Mrs. Romano leaves to get the medicine and eavesdrop on her husband and grandson in the study. Gaby catches her meaning and hurries to stand up, "I'll get some water."

Nicole and Conrad are soon left in the living room alone with the servants.

"Am I putting you in a difficult position by showing up like this?" Conrad asks.

Nicole helps herself to a sliced apple and passes the serving fork to Conrad.

"It's alright," she said lightly, "If you didn't come, I never would have this big show."

"It's a pity that I didn't get to eat the pasta you made, but thinking about next time gives me hope. "

"Pasta gives you hope?" she asks.

"It's not pasta that gives me hope but y—"

Conrad is interrupted by a loud crash. It sounds like China is being broken in the first-floor study. Nicole whirls around upon hearing the noise. She knows that Mr. Romano is as grumpy in private as he is polite in public.

"It will be alright," she says, half to herself, "Most carnivores aren't wicked enough to destroy their own."

The sound of something breaking echoes from the study again. Inside, the study is strewn with broken ornaments and baubles.

Mr. Romano slaps his desk emphatically, "The Romano can't live without an heir. I hope you haven't forgotten our agreement—if she's not pregnant in the next six months, you have to divorce her, and we lose everything we invested in this marriage"

"What if I don't?" Alex challenges.

"Oh?" Mr.Romano laughs sharply, "Do you think you have a choice?"

"I'll live up to my promise after she gets pregnant," he adds, "Even if you don't like her, you have to make her bear your children. If she doesn't, then I'll have to pick another Heir or Sebastian and stephanie."

Evan grabs the phone—the last object left on the desk—and slams it to the ground, "I hope you mean what you say. You better follow through with your promise if I get her pregnant in the next six months."

He stalks out of the room and slams the door. Blind with rage, he bumps into Mrs. Romano who is hovering outside the door with medicine and water.

"Alex, why are you so upset?" she asks, "Please have some water to calm down."

Alex ignores her and walks toward the living room, leaving her to ponder what she's just overheard. It seems that Romano has promised Alex something important to persuade him to make a baby.

"Where did Nicole and that guy go?" he asks a maid.

"Mrs. Romano and Dr. Conrad?"

Alex nods and the maid points at the door, "Dr. Conrad said he had an urgent call and Mrs. Romano went to see him off."

Nicole and Conrad walk through the garden, past the fountain, and to the gate. There are few people at the gate, and Nicole finally has the privacy to properly talk to Conrad.

"Conrad, what you said earlier in the house about me being unfit for pregnancy, is that true?"

"No," Conrad stops and looks at her, "It's a lie. But you really shouldn't consider pregnancy now. It would be too dangerous while there's still so much of the toxin in your system."

Nicole shakes her head, "I don't want to consider it."

Relieved, Conrad hands her a bottle of pills, "They're contraceptives."

Nicole quickly pockets the bottle, "Pasta next time?"

"Sure," Conrad smiles, "Go inside now. It's windy."

A chilly wind blows across the grounds. Conrad wants to take off his coat and wrap it around her, but he can't do something so bold at Alexandro's house. Instead, he has to bid her goodbye.

Nicole feels a bit chilled so she nods and wishes Conrad a good night. For a moment she watches him walk away, and then she turns and walks back to the house. As she walks, she passes an ornate fountain. The fountain features a ring of angel statues playing harps, and water trickles and splashes off of their wings. Lost in thought, Nicole doesn't notice that the water splashes on her clothes.

She wonders if Alex and his grandfather are discussing pregnancy. She knows that Romano wants heirs, but it's unclear what Alex wants. All she knows is that she can't get pregnant no matter what. If Alex and his grandfather have an agreement, she just needs to make it another six months. Then she can finally get her divorce.

She's so lost in thought, she doesn't notice a dark figure coming to meet her.