Alisha's POV
When I heard the word "fiancée," my face instantly reddened.
Taria bypassed me and quickly went to Louie, hurriedly pulling him to sit on the couch, then said to Louie, "Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? I have been worried about you. I didn't expect you would step in for her..."
"Mom, Alisha is my fiancée. No matter what happens, I will protect her," Louie interjected.
"Louie! You!" Taria exclaimed.
"Mom, I just heard what you said outside. I know you meant to protect me, but I want to choose my own path. If it's Alisha, then no matter the risks ahead, I am willing to face them with her. Protecting her has become my instinct," Louie explained softly.
"No, you can't!" Taria hugged Louie tightly, shaking her head desperately.
Louie gently held her back, then whispered to her, "Forgive me for this stubbornness. I truly love Alisha, and I want to be with her no matter what. Please, agree with me this time, mom."
"Louie, how can you say such words? Are you going to make me watch you walk towards..." Taria daren't speak that words.
Seeing Taria in tears and Louie's determination, I felt both sadness and happiness surge within me. Even after knowing the warning of the prophecy, Louie still wanted to be with me, disregarding his own safety. To be loved so deeply by someone like him made me immensely happy.
But facing Taria's tears, I felt sorrow. Why would someone as wonderful as Louie be destined to die in the arms of the one he loves?
At that moment, I felt a sense of injustice for Louie. Why should fate be so harsh on him?
Watching Taira and Louie holding each other tightly, I walked gently toward them, then crouched down to Taria, saying, "Mrs. Blancato, I understand your feelings. However, Louie is free; he has the right to choose the life he wants. At the same time, I assure you! I will use all my strength to protect Louie. As long as I am alive, I will never let Louie die before me!"
Upon hearing my words, both Taria and Louie were momentarily stunned. They turned to look at me simultaneously, Louie's face filled with gratitude and affection, while Taria wore a surprised expression, seemingly not expecting me to say such things.
Being stared at so closely by Louie made me slightly uncomfortable.
Taria fell silent for a moment, then grumbled discontentedly, "What use is your promise? You need Louie's protection yourself. Talking about protecting Louie is just a lot of hot air. Anyway, now that you two are determined to be together, no matter what I say, you won't listen. It makes me look like the bad guy! Louie has already lost his mind because of you, and I see his life will also..."
Taria stopped abruptly, upset, and shot me and Louie a fierce glare.
Both Louie and I sensed the looseness in Taria's words, feeling a hint of encouragement.
Louie held Taria's hand, with a gentle tone, said, "You are not a bad person. You are my dear mom, although occasionally being domineering can be a headache..." When Louie said here, Taria smiled coldly, using her other hand, pinched Louie's arm hard.
"Ouch! That hurts!" Louie exaggeratedly exclaimed, then continued, "But still, you are the best, most beautiful, and most gentle mom in the world."
Hearing Louie deliberately trying to please her, Taria finally revealed her first smile since arriving at Blood Dawn. She shook her head slightly, looking down at the hands clasped with Louie, lost in thought.
I took the opportunity to address Taria, "Mrs. Blancato, my power isn't restored before, and it was indeed Louie who protected and cared for me all the time. But now, I have regained my strength. My Gift is healing, so please believe that I can take care of and protect Louie!"
"Healing? That is a very rare Gift," Taria raised an eyebrow, incredulously asking, her tone raising slightly.
"Yes, Mom. My injuries were all taken care of by Alisha these past few days. She is undoubtedly the best doctor I have ever seen! Thanks to her, otherwise... I might have been in danger this time. But now, I have almost recoverd." Louie said, making me feel a pang of guilt, and I involuntarily lowered my head again. Louie, I'm sorry...
Taria scrutinized me with a serious expression, seemingly evaluating the truth in my words.
"Mom, trust us. With Alisha here, no matter how severe my injuries, she can bring me back, so you don't have to worry about me at all!" Hearing this, I felt a flutter in my chest and then earnestly said to Taria, "Yes, Mrs. Blancato, please believe me. I am willing to do everything I can to protect Louie's life!"
Being earnestly anticipated by both Louie and me, Taria turned her face slightly and softly said, "Alright, I will reconsider this matter later. Let's end the discussion here for today."
"No, Mom, please consider quickly. Our wedding is next week. I hope you can attend this important moment in my life!" Louie clearly didn't want Taria to delay and aimed to get her to express support soon.
"What?" Taira, upon hearing Louie, immediately turned her face back, shocked, and asked, "Marriage next week? Why such a rush?" Then her gaze seemed unbelievably to shift toward my stomach.
I instantly realized what she assumed, and my face turned red with embarrassment. I hurriedly explained, "No... no, Mrs. Blancato, you... you have misunderstood. I … I am not … not…"
Taria, upon hearing my response, breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest. She then picked up a glass of water from the nearby table and took a sip.
I felt extremely embarrassed and wanted to quickly end the conversation. Fortunately, I had just clarified things with Taria.
However, Louie seemed to have picked up on something from our expressions. He wore a mischievous look in his eyes, apologetically glanced at me, then turned to Taria and said seriouysly, "Yes, Mom, just as you guess, Alisha is pregnant with my baby."
The next moment, Taria started coughing violently, spraying water everywhere.