Chapter 1164

Melvin choked on his own breath, completely stumped by her response. She wasn't wrong. Their youngest sister's face was genuinely unparalleled.

"You're pregnant, you need to sit down," Coralie said with a warm smile. "Juniper isn't going anywhere. Why are you holding onto her for dear life?"

She gestured toward the other side of the room, barely suppressing a laugh. "Besides, I think your darling husband is the one who really needs some comforting."

Celine glanced over at Warren and frowned slightly. Should she mention that she had already spent the last hour comforting him? Was he ever going to stop?

"He'll stop crying when he gets tired," Celine replied dryly. She was the victim here, and she hadn't even started crying for herself yet!

Warren's breath hitched, and he forced his remaining tears back down. It didn't matter. As long as his wife was back safe and sound, she could scold him all she wanted. She could literally walk all over him, and he wouldn't complain.

***

After a brief reunion, Juniper ordered Celine to sit on the sofa so she could run a full medical check.

The blood test and ultrasound results came back quickly.

"Your blood work and the scans look great," Juniper said, flipping through the report, visibly relieved. "I know exactly what drug Thorne used on you. It affects the cranial nerves, but thankfully, the dosage was low, and you're not too far along in your pregnancy. I give you a mild antidote and some suppressants. The baby is going to be perfectly fine."

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"What about Celine?" Warren pressed anxiously. "Will it have any lasting effects on her?"

"None," Juniper confirmed with absolute certainty. "She might have some nightmares for the next few days, so make sure you stay close to her."

"I will," Warren nodded, his voice thick with emotion. "I've replaced all the security staff at the villa with my most trusted men. There won't be any more 'accidents."""

Juniper cast a sidelong glance at him. He had lost a lot of weight over the few days Celine had been missing. Her suffering had clearly been his torture, too.

"Also," Juniper added softly, pulling her gaze away, "make sure she gets plenty of bed rest. Keep her relaxed."

Warren understood the underlying message. She was subtly warning him to keep any stressful news like the upcoming raid on Wraithfall Mountain or updates about their

parents away from Celine,

"I know," Warren sighed, his voice raspy. "I won't leave her side. I won't let her face any more danger."

Juniper nodded, and the tension in the room visibly eased.

Once they were sure Celine was okay, the group needed to leave quickly to avoid blowing their cover.

"Juniper, please keep me updated about Mom and Dad," Celine urged anxiously as she walked them to the door.

"I will," Juniper smiled. She then turned to Warren, her expression turning serious. "I'm leaving my sister and my future niece or nephew in your hands, Warren."

Hearing her finally call him by his

name without any underlying hostility, the man's rigid posture softened. He felt a wave of genuine gratitude. He was officially accepted äs her brother-in-law again

***

Back in Eclara City.

Because she had been busy dealing with Sanctum Holdings, Juniper hadn't seen Shanley in two days. The moment she returned, she headed straight to the hospital.

After a couple of days of rest, the man was looking much better. When she walked in he was leaning against the headboard, staring out the window like a statue waiting for its lost love.

Hearing her footsteps, he turned around. A smile broke across his face. "You're back."

"The doctors said you've been a very good patient these past two days," Juniper said, walking toward him with a soft smile.

"I try," Shanley murmured. He reached for her hand and gently pulled her into his arms, his throat working. "Let me hold you."

Juniper didn't resist. She let him hold her, feeling his embrace tighten inch by inch.