Calla hesitated, almost afraid to take the phone from Pierre. She was terrified that history would repeat itself, and she'd lose this child too."Your daughter is very beautiful and cute," Pierre said to Calla with a smile.Hearing this, Calla quickly grabbed the phone. Indeed, on the screen was a picture of a tiny baby wrapped in a pink blanket.She lay with her eyes closed, her two small hands raised to either side of her head, sleeping peacefully. Despite her clumsiness, she looked tiny and frail, so vulnerable that it was impossible not to feel sorry for her."Why is she so tiny?" Calla couldn't take her eyes off the screen."Because she was born prematurely, she's smaller than most babies. But I've asked the doctor, and it's nothing to worry about. It won't affect her growth later on. In a few months, she'll be as plump and healthy as any other child," Pierre reassured Calla.Calla reached out to touch her daughter's little face on the screen. Knowing that she was safe and h
After what Calla said, Pierre was shocked into silence. Then, he stood up and slammed his fist on the table."Is Mercer even human? How could he do something like this? This is his flesh and blood. I'm going to have a word with him and get him to come clean. I'll make sure he gives you a satisfactory explanation!" With that, Pierre turned and started to leave."Pierre!" When Calla saw that Pierre was leaving to confront Mercer, she panicked. She tried to grab Pierre's hand but he was walking too fast and had already reached the door.Calla knew that Mercer had lost his mind and reasoning with him would be futile. She feared she would implicate Pierre if Mercer were to take his anger out on him. After all, she'd troubled Pierre enough and didn't want to cause him more problems.So in her desperation, Calla tried to get out of bed in a hurry. However, she had forgotten about the wound on her stomach. Before her feet could touch the ground, she rolled off the hospital bed in pain.Pi
At that moment, the door to the ward was gently pushed open.Mercer looked up to see Simon poking his head in.Then, Mercer glanced at Casper on the hospital bed before quickly leaving the room.Gently closing the door behind him, Mercer turned to Simon and softly asked, "Are the results out?"Simon nodded, his face showing joy. "Yes, they got it. Casper and the newborn's umbilical cord blood are a match. The doctor said that as long as Casper's vital signs remain normal, they can schedule the surgery soon.""That's great!" Mercer was overwhelmed with joy that he punched the wall in elation.Simon beamed just as brightly. Then, with concern, he said to Mercer, "Mr. Garland, you haven't slept for two nights. Now that we finally have good news, you should go and get some rest. After all, your health is important; Casper is counting on you.""I know. I'll leave things here to you and rest for a while. Oh, and please talk to the doctor. I want to schedule the surgery for Casper as s
Mercer frowned when he saw Calla's pale face, her expression haggard and weak. He wanted to approach her, but a voice in his head stopped him. He reminded himself that Casper's condition was still uncertain. Now was not the time for them to reunite. Besides, her fragile state would likely be unable to withstand any further emotional turmoil right now.Pierre carefully supported Calla as they reached the large glass window of the NICU. Pointing at a baby wrapped in a pink blanket, he smiled and said, "It's her, right here!"Following the direction of Pierre's finger, Calla saw the tiny baby with rosy cheeks and long eyelashes. If she weren't so tiny, she would be even more beautiful.Calla reached out to touch the glass as if she could already feel her daughter's cheek. Her eyes carefully took in every detail of the child, her heart overflowing with emotion.The last time she gave birth, she didn't even get a chance to see her son. Before she could, the doctor announced that the c
Standing in the corner, Mercer witnessed Calla stumbling.He took a step forward, wanting to rush over and support her. But his legs felt as if they were filled with lead. Reason warned him that his presence would only exacerbate Calla's distress and inflict further damage.So Mercer could only stand there helplessly, watching Pierre fuss over Calla. His chest tightened with conflicting emotions, his forehead creasing in a frown."My wound hurts so much!" Calla's lips trembled with pain.Seeing this, Pierre bent down and lifted Calla in his arms, hurriedly turning toward the ward. "You must have pulled your wound! I'm going to get the doctor to check on you right now!"Calla nodded weakly, lying in Pierre's arms.At this moment, Pierre had become Calla's strongest support. Though she felt guilty and burdened by his care, she had no choice but to rely on him. After all, she had no one else to turn to.Mercer stepped out of the corner, his dark eyes fixed on Pierre's receding figu
Calla was so weak after giving birth that her incision kept getting infected. She had two debridement procedures and more than two weeks of IV antibiotics during her stay at the hospital. Only then, did her health start to improve.Finally, they were both discharged. Calla and Clover stayed in the hospital for a total of 40 days. It could only be described as a brush with death.During those 40 days, Pierre came to the hospital every day. He took care of Calla and visited Clover regularly. He even hired a special nurse for Calla and had Fiona bring nourishing soups to the hospital daily.Calla was grateful for Pierre's kindness, so much so that words couldn't express it. Without Pierre, Calla and Clover wouldn't have recovered and been discharged so smoothly.On the day of their discharge, Calla held Clover as Pierre drove. Fiona carried all of Calla's bags as they escorted Calla back to Carol's home.Pierre parked his Range Rover in front of Calla's building and looked up worried
Calla was puzzled. "Wait, you didn't pay? So who did?"In an instant, Calla thought of someone, but now she only felt hatred for him. The mere thought of his name sent chills down her spine.If it weren't for Mercer, how could she and Clover have suffered so much? Those 40 days in the hospital were pure torment. Lucky for them, however, they at least made it out alive."It was Mercer," Pierre answered expressionlessly.This confirmed her worst fears. Calla's mind began racing a mile a minute.Pierre then said, "When I was notified, I immediately went to check. The nurse told me that someone had already paid the 200,000 dollars. I knew then that Mercer had sent someone to pay for the medical expenses."Although Calla felt uneasy, she remarked, "He's the one who caused all this. It's only fair that he pays the medical bill."After a brief silence, Pierre asked, "Was there some kind of misunderstanding between you and Mercer? Why did he force you to have Clover so early? I can't wr
At that moment, Calla suddenly fell to her knees before Carol."What are you doing?" Calla's action startled Carol, who stared blankly at her kneeling daughter.Calla knew how heartbroken and disappointed her mother would be. She had let Carol down again, but she couldn't bring herself to abandon this little life. With tears in her eyes, Calla said, "Mom, there is something I need to tell you. I haven't been working in Greendale for the past six months. I lied to you because I got pregnant. I was afraid you wouldn't accept it and would force me to get an abortion, so I hid it from you and left Riverford. "A little over a month ago, I finally gave birth to Clover. Now that I'm a mother, I realize how much you've done for me. Mom, I'm sorry. I know having a child out of wedlock brings you shame, but I couldn't give my baby up. I deserve to be punished, Mom. It's all my fault!"Cradling Clover, Carol was completely taken aback. She sank into the chair behind her, her gaze shifting