A Replacement Bride

Chapter 170
"What's wrong? You're in bad shape. Are you feeling under the weather?" Jennifer looked at Katherine concernedly.
However, the latter shook her head. "I'm fine, Grandma. I guess I didn't sleep well last night."
As soon as she finished her words, Jennifer averted her gaze and looked at Joaquin instantly.
The corner of his lips twitched as he touched his nose. "Why don't you take a nap at home?"
"Hmm. Enjoy your food. Don't worry. I'm alright." Katherine rose to her feet and headed to the room.
She was indeed tired because she did not have a good night's sleep yesterday; the other significant reason was that she was on
her period.
Her body tended to run colder than others. When Darren was still around, he even specially prescribed a list of medications for
her, which took a few years to see its effect.
However, good times did not last long; the Olsen Family got into trouble when they started to see signs of her recovery.
At that time, Elsie and Darren passed away, and Jennifer fell sick due to the huge blow. Shouldering the massive responsibilities
and burdens, Katherine was sent to Fontan—a whole new world to her—by Jorge. It was literally a miracle that she survived until
today. She was not in the state of mind to care for her health. These years, she intended to take medications again, but there
was no visible effect to it.
After dinner, Joaquin came to the room, and it worried him to see Katherine laying in bed with a pale face. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." She shook her head and wriggled herself into the blanket.
Staring at her, he pondered for a moment before looking for Jennifer outside. "Grandma, I think Kathy's not feeling well. Do you
know what's wrong with her?"
Hearing that, she counted the days and soon comprehended the situation. She whispered into his ear, and the tip of his ears
burned in an instant as he did not expect that to be the reason.
He coughed to mask his awkwardness, after which he followed her instructions by bringing the painkillers and a glass of warm
water from the kitchen to Katherine.

"Have some painkillers. You should feel better soon." After placing them atop the desk, he propped Katherine up on bed.
Due to her weak state, she did not refuse and let him be. Once she leaned against the headboard, Joaquin proffered the water
and pills to her.
Looking at the pills on his hand, she frowned repulsively. "Painkillers? No."
"It'll stave off the pain. Be a good girl and take 'em," he cooed, as though she was a child.
The ever mild-tempered Katherine was as stubborn as a bull right now; she did not want to take the painkillers no matter what.
"Why not?" Joaquin looked at her with furrowed brows. Her rare child-like behavior rendered him helpless.
"I just don't like it," she answered softly.
Although she long forgot the reason behind it, she had always hated taking pills during periods. Even if the period cramps hurt
like hell, she would never take them.
"If you take them, it won't be as painful as it is right now." Despite the helplessness, the only thing he could do was to persuade
her slowly and gently.
Still, Katherine turned her head away in refusal.
"Then, what about a hot water bag?" Joaquin tried to compromise since she was unwilling to take the pills.
Her burrows creased as she gazed at his worried expression. It was a brand new feeling to her to actually behave like a child in
front of him.
After clearing her throat awkwardly, Katherine relented, "I'll take the pills. Just half of it."
Her behavior tickled Joaquin's funny bone. "I never expected there would be something you're afraid of. I'll get you a hot water
bag later."
After that, he left the room with the half-splitted pill in his hands, which was noticed by Jennifer. She grinned. "This brat. She's
still the same as ever."
"Do you know why, Grandma?" Joaquin looked at her curiously.

"When she was young, someone lied to her that medicines taste good, so she mistakenly took and ate the painkillers from the
kitchen. Then, rashes crawled all over her body instantly. That's when we found out that she's allergic to painkillers. We were so
worried, and we have never had painkillers at home since then. The psychologist mentioned that it's a psychological allergy. As
long as she overcomes her fear, she can recover from it, but she has been acting repulsive to it. I tried many ways, but nothing
helped," Jennifer recounted the olden days.
Back then, Katherine was the princess that everyone loved in the Olsen Family. If it was not for Elsie meeting the wrong person
and subsequently causing the downfall of the family, Katherine would not have ended up like this today.
"It doesn't matter if she doesn't want to take the pills. Give her a hot water bag." Jennifer motioned Joaquin to get the hot water
bag from the kitchen.
He did as she told, then asked her to make sure if that was all before bringing it to Katherine. Now that Katherine had taken the
painkiller and there was a hot water bag on her stomach, she felt much better.
Cuddling in the blankets, she closed her eyes and did not give a fig of Joaquin, who stayed in the room the whole time. When
she drifted into slumber, he checked on her body temperature by placing a hand over her forehead. Thereafter, he left the room
upon making sure that there was nothing to worry about.
Katherine slept for the whole day, and she did not know when Aberama sent over the blood analysis report.
By the time she opened her eyes, it was already night time. The sky had darkened, and the bright lights illuminated the city. She
stretched her body and got up from bed, and her cramps did not hurt as much as it did in the afternoon.
She moved around her arms while walking out of the room, at which she could hear Joaquin, Tiara and Jennifer's joyful voices.
They seemed to be enjoying their time at the moment.
"You're up. There's food in the kitchen. You can have some if you're hungry," Joaquin murmured, the first person to notice
Katherine's appearance.
She nodded and headed straight to the kitchen. After having dinner, her stomach felt much better and she was much more
awake.
She placed the plates and cutleries into the dishwasher before questioning Joaquin, "Did Aberama come in the afternoon?"
Joaquin nodded at that. "Yeah. He sent over something for you. It's in the study."

"Thanks." She then strode toward the study room.
"Joaquin, this won't do. You gotta be more assertive when it comes to the woman you like. Care more about her. Isn't Katherine
having her period cramps? All the more reason to be caring and loving. Do you even call yourself her husband? Here, take this
and give it to her." Tiara glanced at him in disapproval and handed him a glass of water.