Forced To Marry My Cousin's Fiancé

Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Lane’s POV

Soft sunlight filtered through the curtains while silence stretched across the enormous mansion in the familiar way Lane had grown used to over the past two months. Most mornings followed the same routine now.

Wake up slowly.Wait until Ethan leaves.

Come downstairs afterward.Try to survive the rest of the day without overthinking too much.

It had become easier pretending not to expect anything from him.Not because the pain disappeared.

Because hope itself had become exhausting.

Lane shifted slightly beneath the blankets before opening her eyes tiredly. The exhaustion hit her almost immediately this morning, heavy enough that even lifting herself properly against the pillows felt difficult.

She frowned faintly.The fatigue had been worsening lately.Some days she felt almost normal.

Other days her body felt unbelievably drained no matter how much she rested.

And today...Today felt terrible.

Lane slowly rested a hand over her stomach while breathing carefully.

"You’re really troubling mommy lately," she whispered softly.

A small weak smile touched her lips afterward despite everything.

Even exhaustion felt easier to endure when she remembered why it existed.

Eventually she forced herself out of bed and headed toward the bathroom, moving slowly because dizziness still appeared unexpectedly if she stood too quickly.

After washing up and changing into comfortable clothes, she glanced briefly at the clock.

Ethan had probably already left.

Still, out of habit, Lane waited another twenty minutes before finally leaving her room.

The mansion remained quiet downstairs except for faint sounds from the kitchen where the staff prepared breakfast.

The moment the maids saw her, they immediately greeted her warmly.

"Good morning, Miss.Lane."

Lane smiled softly. "Morning."

One of them frowned slightly after taking a better look at her face.

"You look pale today."

Lane sighed quietly before sitting near the counter.

"I’m just tired."

"Did you sleep properly?"

"A little."

The older maid immediately clicked her tongue softly in disapproval.

"You need more rest now that the baby is growing."

Lane nodded obediently even though both of them knew rest no longer fixed the emotional exhaustion settling inside her lately.Breakfast was difficult this morning.

Halfway through eating, Lane suddenly lost interest in the food completely.

The smell bothered her.Her stomach twisted unpleasantly.She pushed the plate away slowly.

"I can’t eat this."

The maids exchanged worried glances immediately.

"Should we make something else?"

Lane hesitated.Actually...There was something she wanted.Specifically wanted.

And suddenly the craving became so intense she could practically taste it already.

Spicy noodles.And sweet pastries.

Together.

Pregnancy cravings made absolutely no sense.Lane laughed softly under her breath before shaking her head slightly.The maids looked confused.

"What is it?"

Lane smiled weakly.

"I suddenly want spicy noodles."

One maid looked horrified immediately.

"At this hour?"

Lane laughed quietly again despite herself.

"And sweet pastries too."

Now the maids looked even more concerned.Pregnancy truly created frightening food combinations.

Lane rested her cheek briefly against her palm while staring toward the kitchen windows thoughtfully.Then suddenly one thought came naturally.Noah.Her chest softened slightly.

Noah would absolutely bring it for her without complaint.He always did.

And somehow, even after she asked him to distance himself slightly, he still remained the one person she knew she could rely on completely.

That realization comforted her more than she wanted to admit.

Lane hesitated only briefly before reaching for her phone.

The call barely rang twice.

"Lane?"

His voice immediately sounded alert.

Like he always worried something might be wrong whenever she called unexpectedly.

Lane smiled faintly.

"You answered fast."

"You called during work hours. Obviously I thought something happened."

Guilt touched her chest lightly again.Noah worried too much about her.

"I’m okay," she reassured softly. "I just..."

She paused awkwardly. Noah immediately caught it.

"What do you need?"

The question came naturally.Without hesitation.Without annoyance.

Lane looked down slightly at the counter while smiling weakly.

"I’m craving spicy noodles."

A brief silence followed.Then Noah laughed softly.

"That’s all?"

"And pastries."

Another pause.

"...Together?"

Lane covered her face slightly in embarrassment while laughing quietly.

"I know it sounds strange."

"No," Noah said immediately. "It sounds terrifying."

That made her laugh properly this time.

And hearing her laugh seemed to soften Noah instantly through the phone.

"There’s the sound I’ve been waiting for."

Lane’s smile faded slightly afterward.

Sometimes Noah’s kindness hurt too.

Because she knew his feelings were becoming deeper than friendship.

And she didn’t know what to do about it.

Still, she quietly told him the name of the restaurant and bakery she wanted from.

"I’ll bring it," Noah said immediately.

"You don’t have to come yourself," Lane replied softly. "You could just send someone."

"And trust another person with your terrifying pregnancy cravings? Absolutely not."

Lane shook her head while smiling despite herself.

"You’re busy."

"I’m always busy," Noah replied calmly. "That’s never stopped me before."

Something warm settled softly inside her chest at those words.

That was what Noah felt like lately. Safe.

"I’ll be there soon," he said gently before ending the call.

Nearly forty minutes later, Lane stood near the front entrance after hearing Noah’s car arrive outside.

The moment she stepped out of the mansion and saw him leaning casually against his black car holding several food bags, genuine happiness spread across her face before she could stop it.

Noah noticed immediately.

And for a second, his expression softened in a way reserved only for her.

"You look exhausted," he said the moment she reached him.

Lane ignored the comment completely and instead moved forward instinctively, wrapping her arms around him briefly.

"Thank you."

The hug surprised him slightly.

She rarely initiated physical affection first.

Noah’s arms carefully settled around her shoulders for only a moment before he pulled back slightly to study her face again.

"You really needed those noodles that badly?"

Lane laughed quietly.

"You have no idea."

Noah handed her the bags afterward while shaking his head.

"I bought extra."

"Why?"

"Because knowing you, you’ll suddenly crave the same thing again tonight."

Lane smiled sheepishly because he was probably right.

Noah looked tired himself today, dressed sharply in his usual expensive suit while his phone occasionally buzzed nonstop inside his pocket.

Work.Meetings.Responsibilities.

Yet somehow he still came personally just because she mentioned craving food.

Lane’s chest tightened faintly at the thought.

"You should go back to work," she said softly.

Noah looked at her carefully for another moment.

"You’re really okay?"

Lane nodded slowly.

"I’m trying to be."

That answer made something sad flicker briefly through Noah’s eyes.

But he still smiled gently afterward.

"That’s enough for now."

Lane looked down briefly at the food bags in her hands before speaking quietly.

"Thank you for always taking care of me."

Noah immediately frowned slightly.

"You say that like it’s a burden."

"It isn’t?"

"Never."

The answer came too fast.Too honest.

Lane’s heart tightened softly again.

Noah noticed her expression immediately and exhaled quietly before stepping back slightly.

"I should leave before traffic gets worse."

Lane nodded.

But before he entered his car, Noah looked at her one last time.

"Eat properly."

"I will."

"And rest."

"I’ll try."

"And Lane?"

She looked up.

"If you ever need anything," he said quietly, "call me first before struggling alone."

Emotion caught unexpectedly in her chest.

Lane only managed a small nod.

Then Noah finally drove away.

She stood outside for several seconds afterward watching the empty driveway quietly before eventually returning inside the mansion.

The moment she entered the kitchen and opened the food containers, the smell instantly made her happier.

The maids laughed softly at how quickly her mood improved.

Lane smiled shyly before sitting down immediately.

And for the first time in days—

She genuinely ate with appetite.Spicy noodles.Sweet pastries afterward.

Absolutely terrible food combinations.

Yet somehow perfect.

Lane rested one hand against her stomach while eating slowly, a faint peaceful smile finally touching her face again.

"Happy now?" she whispered softly beneath her breath.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!