Sophie’s words made Calla’s stomach churn.Calla anxiously sat down on the couch with her hands against her waist.Sophie was right. A family like the Garlands would never let one of their own stray from the family.It was clear that the Garlands cared deeply about the child when Rose suddenly visited and brought so many baby items two months ago. But knowing it was impossible was one thing; whether she would fight back was another matter. Calla firmly declared, "I will never give up custody of my child!""It's likely you won't have a choice when the time comes," Sophie sneered.Calla glared at Sophie. "You love Mercer; I won't compete with you for that. But why can't you have your own child? Why do you have to steal someone else's?""It's not that you won't compete with me, it's that you don't even have the qualifications to compete with me. You're just my replacement!" Sophie retorted arrogantly.Seeing Sophie's arrogant attitude, Calla seemed to understand. She probably cam
Sophie continued when she saw Calla's furrowed brows. "Did you know? As soon as you left, Mercer moved me into your old place. I sleep on the same big bed you used to sleep on now. That bed is huge. It's perfect for Mercer and me to… roll around. "You didn't satisfy him when you were together, did you? He's been clinging to me every night these past few months; I can't even get up in the mornings…" "Stop it!" Calla couldn't take it anymore and shouted, clearly emotional.The curtains, sheets, and bedding in that residence were chosen by her after days of careful selection. They were in colors she loved. Now, they were all claimed by Sophie.Of course, Mercer, whom she loved, had also become Sophie's. Calla's heart was in turmoil. She pressed her hand on her chest to soothe that unbearable feeling.Seeing Calla in such distress, Sophie burst into laughter."I'm a bit tired today. I'll chat with you another day. Maybe I'll talk to you about Mercer's preferences, especially in bed
Jasmine sighed with relief after hanging up the phone. "Ms. Reynolds said since a car wouldn't be fast enough—given the urgency of the situation—they're sending Mr. Garland's helicopter to pick you up, Mrs. Garland. It should be here in about 20 minutes."Upon hearing this, Calla also breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't expected Mercer to have a private helicopter. Poverty certainly had limited her imagination.True to Ally's words, a small helicopter landed in front of the villa half an hour later. Ally and the pilot personally came to escort Calla. Jasmine carried a bag full of essentials and helped Calla onto the helicopter.As the aircraft slowly ascended into the blue sky littered with white clouds, Calla stared blankly at the shrinking villa below. For some reason, she began to panic.She usually didn't have a fear of heights. But today, her head was pounding severely, and her heart felt uneasy, possibly due to pre-labor anxiety.Sensing Calla's nervousness, Ally held
"Is Calla Sherman's family here?" the doctor asked in a raised voice."Doctor, how is she?" Rose remained seated while Ally approached to answer her."The patient has developed pre-eclampsia. Her condition is dangerous. Please prepare yourselves mentally!" After saying this, the doctor turned and went back into the delivery room.Upon hearing this, Jasmine and Ally looked extremely worried.Rose's eyes flickered, and she immediately instructed, "Ally, go back to the company right away and find a way to contact Mercer. Ask him to hurry back!""Yes, ma'am." Ally swiftly left.After Ally left, Rose and Sophie exchanged a glance. Sophie immediately took out her phone and went to a corner to make a call.Two minutes later, Sophie returned, nodded to Rose, and then turned to Jasmine."Jasmine, do you remember everything I told you before?""I..." As though confronted by a formidable enemy, Jasmine couldn't find the words to say."Just do as I said. If anything goes wrong, it'll be
At this moment, Jasmine lowered her gaze and dared not look into Harlan's eyes. "I've been taking care of her for so long, but I haven't seen her husband more than a handful of times. I can't reach him now. I heard… he went abroad."Upon hearing this, the gentle Harlan suddenly felt an urge to hit someone. "She's about to give birth, and he's abroad for work?"Just then, the door of the delivery room opened again, and a doctor came out with papers and a pen. She called out, "Is Calla Sherman's family member here?"Harlan hurried over. "Doctor, how is she now?""It's not looking good at the moment, but we're doing our best. Are you her husband? We need a family member to sign here," the doctor notified Harlan as she handed him the papers and pen.Harlan knew it was hospital protocol that only family members could sign, but given the critical situation, he didn't hesitate. He took the pen and left his signature.After signing, the doctor took the papers back into the delivery roo
Seeing a fight break out, the doctor immediately intervened. "What are you doing? This is a hospital, you can't fight here. If you want to fight, take it outside!"The doctor's words had an instant effect. Mercer and Harlan immediately stopped grappling."Doctor, how is my wife?" Mercer grabbed the doctor's arm.Confused, the female doctor looked at Mercer and asked, "What's your wife's name?""Calla Sherman," Mercer answered.The doctor glanced at Harlan, noticing the bruises on his face. "Didn't you say you were Calla's husband?" the doctor asked. "How come there's another husband now? What's going on here?""I'm Calla's husband!" Mercer's gaze turned menacing as he glared at Harlan."He was the one who signed the consent form just now," the doctor said, taking out the document.Mercer looked at it and sure enough, it had Harlan's name on the bottom of the page. Enraged, he grabbed Harlan's collar and demanded, "What do you want? Why are you pretending to be someone else's hu
Hearing this, Mercer's face grew even darker, his expression borderline murderous.At this moment, Sophie gave Rose another look.Rose stepped forward and asked, "Jasmine, what exactly is the relationship between Harlan and Calla?""It seems… it seems…" Jasmine lowered her head."Seems what? Speak up quickly," Rose pressed."I-It seems like he's Mrs. Garland's ex-boyfriend," Jasmine said ambiguously.Upon hearing this, Rose furiously exclaimed, "Calla is stepping out of bounds here. How can she still be involved with an ex-boyfriend after marrying you? Mercer, I've told you all along that this girl from an ordinary family is only interested in our wealth. There's no real love there.""Mom, can you please stop talking?" Mercer said, holding his head in frustration.But Rose wouldn't stop. "Once the baby is born, you should give her some money and send her on her way. The Garland family can't afford this embarrassment. You're a man of reputation and can't have such a wife!"Soph
Calla felt like she had slept for a very long time. Her entire body ached with exhaustion. She struggled to move, feeling completely drained of energy. A sudden panic surged from within her when she opened her eyes."Mrs. Garland, you're awake?" Jasmine's voice reached her ears. Calla focused on Jasmine's face, then noticed everything around her was white.White walls, white ceiling, white sheets. No wonder her hand hurt; she was still hooked up to an IV drip.She turned her head and saw a black silhouette standing by the window. That silhouette was all too familiar—Mercer. Seeing him, Calla's heart inexplicably tightened.Hearing Jasmine's words, Mercer slowly turned around. His gaze was cold as he looked at Calla lying on the hospital bed.Calla had no mind to notice his gaze. Her thoughts immediately went to her child. She reached for her belly, but the prominent bump was gone."The baby! What about the baby?" she cried out.Jasmine glanced at Mercer, hesitant to speak.Se