Chapter 63
Ling stood outside Ping's chamber again, his back against the door. The cold night air seeped into his bones, but it was nothing compared to the icy wall between them. He had spent days trying to talk to her, waiting, hoping she would finally let him in. But the distance remained.
Tonight, he wasn't leaving without trying one last time.
Taking a deep breath, he knocked softly. "Ping…" His voice was quiet, almost uncertain.
No response.
He closed his eyes for a moment before speaking again. "I know you're awake."
Silence.
Ling sighed, pressing his forehead against the door. "I won't ask you to forgive me right now. I won't ask you to forget everything that happened. I just…" He hesitated. "I just want to be here. With you. And our child."
A soft shuffle came from the other side, but the door remained shut.
His voice was almost a whisper now. "Can I… at least feel our child?"
Inside the room, Ping's heart clenched. She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting over her stomach.
She didn't know why, but his words shook something inside her.
For so long, she had convinced herself that she was alone in this. That the baby was hers and hers alone. But now, hearing the longing in his voice, the quiet plea…
She stood slowly and moved toward the door. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the handle.
The door creaked open slightly, and Ling barely breathed as she appeared before him.
She didn't say a word, but after a moment, she held out her hand.
Ling stared at it, almost afraid to move, as if one wrong step would shatter this fragile moment. Then, with slow reverence, he reached out and took her hand in his.
Warm. Soft. Real.
His fingers brushed over her knuckles, holding her gently, afraid to tighten his grip too much. Then, hesitantly, his free hand lifted toward her stomach. He stopped just short, looking up at her for permission.
Ping swallowed hard before nodding.
Ling placed his palm carefully against her belly.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them. Then, as if sensing him, a faint movement stirred beneath his hand.
His breath caught.
Ping watched as his expression softened, his eyes wide with something close to awe. "They're moving…" His voice was barely more than a whisper.
Ping had felt the baby move before, but this… this was different. Seeing the way Ling looked at their child—like he was holding something precious, something irreplaceable—made the anger in her heart tremble.
Ling looked up at her, and for the first time in weeks, she didn't turn away.
She wasn't ready to forgive him yet.
But maybe, just maybe… she could let him in.