Chapter 11

Chapter11

Even Dominic, with his years of medical expertise, looked momentarily stunned by Eleanor's revelation. Most of his patients were eager to start families, so hearing that Eleanor had been on birth control was unexpected. His eyes flicked to Nathaniel, who stood rigid, his expression darkening. Clearly, Nathaniel hadn’t known about the pills.

Dominic quickly regained his composure. After a brief pause, he advised, "You should stop taking the birth control pills immediately. I’ll prescribe something else for now. Your health needs to be your priority."

Eleanor nodded, accepting the prescription without argument. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice steady. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room, not sparing Nathaniel a glance. He followed her, his jaw tight.

Outside the hospital, Eleanor moved to hail a cab, assuming Nathaniel wouldn’t bother with her. But his hand shot out, gripping her arm firmly. "Get in the car," he commanded, his tone icy, his eyes like shards of glass.

"I’ll take a cab," she replied, pulling her arm free.

"Eleanor Thompson," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "I’m not asking. Get in the car." His expression darkened further, and she knew arguing in public would only draw unwanted attention. Reluctantly, she slid into the passenger seat.

Before she could even fasten her seatbelt, Nathaniel hit the gas, the car lurching forward. Eleanor braced herself, her lips pressing into a thin line. Once she secured the belt, she turned to him. "If you’re going to drive like a maniac, I’ll get out."

"Why were you on birth control?" he demanded, ignoring her comment.

"Because I don’t want to get pregnant," she answered bluntly, meeting his gaze head-on.

Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other, the tension thick. The car came to a stop at a red light, and the silence stretched, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the dashboard.

Nathaniel’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening before he forced himself to relax. When he finally spoke, his voice was eerily calm. "I don’t plan on being childless."

"I know," Eleanor said with a soft, bitter laugh. "And I’m well aware the Carter family wouldn’t accept a daughter-in-law who refuses to have children. But... it’s not like that affects you, does it?"

He frowned, clearly confused by her words. "What are you talking about?"

Eleanor leaned back in her seat, her tone almost casual. "There are plenty of women who’d jump at the chance to carry your child, Nathaniel. If you’re willing, that is."

He let out a short, humorless laugh. "And what? You’d adopt those children and raise them?"

"Sure," she replied, shrugging. "I don’t mind."

His smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. When the light turned green, he drove on in silence. For a moment, Eleanor thought he might have accepted her suggestion. But then he spoke, his voice firm and final.

"Let me make this clear, Eleanor. Only my wife will carry my children. A bastard child will never bear the Carter name." He glanced at her, his gaze piercing. "You married into this family. It’s your duty to continue the bloodline. You don’t get a say in this."

His words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Eleanor turned to look out the window, her jaw clenched. Nathaniel’s tone left no room for argument, but the fire in her eyes suggested this was far from over.",