Dorothy was very upset when she unexpectedly ran into Melanie. She would never forget what Julian did to the Gibson family. Even if a long time had passed since then, she was still riled up when she saw one of the Zieglers. In fact, she was so angry that she accidentally pricked her finger on the edge of the metal display rack. Blood immediately gushed out and dropped to the floor. Dorothy quickly took pieces of tissue and put pressure on her finger. She even pulled out her hemostatic medication and popped it into her mouth, deathly afraid that something bad might happen. There was a good reason for her to be this careful. She was Rh-negative, which was a rare blood type. Melanie had been friends with Dorothy for many years. Naturally, she knew about it as well. Neither of them could stand each other, and Dorothy was injured too. So, she hurried out of the baby shop. Once they had gone far away, it suddenly occurred to Melanie that Willow was Rh-negative too, and the latter
It was raining heavily in Yarrowmere that night. Willow sat on the living room couch as her hand rested gently on her pregnant belly, her gaze somewhat lost in thought. Due to complications with one of the two babies she carried, the doctor had suggested an early hospital stay, with the possibility of an emergency C-section to ensure the well-being of both mother and babies.Heather busied herself with packing nearby, getting ready for the hospital stay the next morning. Upon noticing Willow's absentmindedness, Heather walked over and gently held her hand, saying, "It'll be alright, Willow. Timothy has already contacted the blood bank, too. Though Rh-negative blood is rare, they have adequate supplies. And in case of an early C-section, I've already contacted Mrs. Gibson, who shares the same blood type and has kindly offered her assistance in an emergency."Willow gently caressed her belly and murmured, "I'm just worried about the babies."That devastating fire had not only claime
It was late into the night at the Obstetrics and Gynecology hospital in Yarrowmere. It seemed as if a huge chasm had opened up in the sky, unleashing torrential rain that scoured the world below until it gleamed with an unsettling clarity, a scene both otherworldly and strange.In the delivery room on the second floor, Willow had been lying on the delivery bed, breathing in and out steadily under the medical staff's instructions, pushing with all her might to give birth to her babies.It was around 12:00 am when Willow's water broke, and almost immediately, the first baby began to enter the birth canal. It was past the point for a C-section by the time they arrived at the hospital, leaving her with no choice but to deliver both babies naturally.It was thundering outside while Willow was lying on the delivery bed, her body completely drenched in sweat. Heather remained by Willow's side, holding her hand firmly and repeatedly calling out her name, offering her physical and emotiona
Willow's entire body was drenched in sweat as she gasped for air, her eyes growing increasingly dazed.Heather cried, "You have to hang in there, Willow!"It took all her strength, gathered over what felt like an eternity, for Willow to turn her head and say softly, "I-I'll hold on. I'm going to have this baby."She then let out a blood-curdling scream as she tightly gripped the bedsheet, wracked with pain. There was a flurry of activity commencing within and beyond the confines of the delivery room.Maria stepped out of the delivery room with a grave expression and explained solemnly, "I'd like to inform you that she is currently suffering from a major hemorrhage. You should prepare yourselves for the worst. If absolutely necessary, we'll have no choice but to sacrifice the first baby to ensure the survival of the mother and the other baby." Laura remained stunned for a long time before releasing a long, heavy sigh. Melanie's eyes glistened with unshed tears, while Esther held
It wasn't long before blood flowed, drop by drop, through the transparent tube into Willow's veins. It could be seen that, under the stark glare of lights, she was soaked in sweat, as if she had been lying in a pool.She weakly opened her eyes and gazed at the figures above. Through the hazy vision, she seemed to have noticed Julian's face. She was somewhat bewildered, wondering if the person before her was really Julian. What was he doing here? Hadn't he gone to Grandsburg? Hadn't he insisted on going?She gently blinked her eyes, her vision slowly coming into focus on Julian's face. In her pain-induced haze, she thought she had gone back five years in the past—back to when they got married. She reached out her slender hand and grabbed Julian's shirt, her voice sounding raspy and choked with tears as she pleaded, "Please don't go to Grandsburg, Julian. Please don't go, alright?" Julian was stunned for a moment before realizing that Willow wasn't fully lucid. He kneeled, clasped Wi
In an instant, ten days had passed. Julian had to go to Nebula Group in Brindley in the evening to attend to a few urgent matters. He had barely stepped out of the elevator when Esther approached him, looking concerned. "Ms. Harper is here, Mr. Ziegler."Julian's steps faltered. He looked intently at Esther's face, remaining silent for a long time. It had been two years since Willow left Nebula Group, never once returning. If she had come today, it could only be because of Landon. He stood still for a moment, then asked softly, "Where is she right now?"Esther hurriedly replied, "I have arranged for her to wait in your office since Ms. Harper still hasn't completed her postpartum recovery. I noticed that she looked terribly sallow—probably due to postpartum fatigue—since it has only been ten days since she'd given birth."They chatted for a while before finally arriving at the entrance of the office, where Esther pushed open the door and tactfully excused herself. Julian walked
In the dead of the night, a white mist crept up the mountainside, swirling and obscuring the entire summit. Upon coming out of the columbarium, Willow was utterly lost in her grief, her frail body swaying unsteadily. She kept repeating Landon's name under her breath, still drowning in her immeasurable pain.Upon seeing Willow come out in such a state, Julian quickly approached her and took off his coat, draping it over her shoulders.Willow fixed him with a vacant gaze. Her eyes held no spark of life, only a deep, abiding sadness. She gently brushed his hand away, wanting neither his comfort nor his presence. His black coat then slid off her shoulders and landed on the ground.Julian swallowed hard, his throat moving noticeably as he said hoarsely, "You should take care of yourself even if you're still upset with me, Willow."Willow looked ahead into the night, her voice steady and unwavering as she said, "It's none of your business whether I'm in good health or not, Julian."Ju
Willow didn't stay for dinner. She instead asked Julian to return her phone.Julian simply remained silent.Willow fought back her emotions and asked softly, "Are you planning to lock me up again, Julian? I don't have my grandmother anymore, though."Upon hearing her mention Grace, Julian couldn't help but feel a sharp ache. He swallowed hard and said softly, "I'll drive you home. I'll return your phone to you at your doorstep."Having heard that, Willow didn't bother to argue with Julian, merely changing into the clothes she had worn earlier. Jesse, who evidently sympathized with Willow's postpartum recovery, brought a thick shawl and thoughtfully draped it over her. Her voice trembled as she offered her a few comforting words.Willow couldn't help but feel a wave of grief washing over her. She settled into the car, her eyes brimming with tears. Though utterly exhausted, Julian still insisted on driving her home himself. He knew that this fleeting time together held immeasura
It was pouring the following day when a black car pulled up outside Nebula Group's building. The driver circled to the back to open the door, and Willow got out with an umbrella over her head. However, the downpour was so heavy that a patch of her jacket was soon soaked. Esther was waiting for her by the car. She led Willow to the office on the top floor and got her a glass of milk. Then, she said, "Mr. Ziegler is in a meeting, but he should be here soon. Please have a seat and wait for a while."With that, she left the office.Willow didn't sit. Instead, she stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows and gazed out at the scenery of most of Brindley. Rain veiled the view in a soft, gray mist and soaked the streets… Perhaps also dousing the embers of one's youth and ambition.She stared outside for so long that time seemed to blur, making her feel like that day was no different from years ago.In a daze, she felt like she was taken back to the past, when she was still Nebula Group'
It was Timothy's idea to send Willow to Faeria, as the June climate in Faeria was known to be mild, conducive to healing. Heather would travel with her, with the intention of looking after Gabriella until she was six months old. Timothy had already bought a villa there and had also set aside ample funds to guarantee a luxurious lifestyle for Heather and Willow.Heather managed to arrange everything within a week. She had packed all the clothing and necessities for herself and Willow, covering all seasons, along with Gabriella's food, feeding supplies, and diapering essentials. Though she was still a baby, Gabriella's belongings completely filled four large suitcases. Heather saw to all the arrangements herself. Having taken care of everything, she looked at Gabriella—her ever lovely granddaughter—before rubbing her sore waist and returning to her room. Upon stepping inside, Heather noticed Timothy standing on the balcony, a cigarette in his hand and a deep frown creasing his fore
Liam and Melanie had rushed over as well.Landon, huddling in the incubator, gently stirred his fragile body. His small chest was rising and falling with labored breaths, a tiny warrior determined to survive.Melanie kneeled on the floor and gazed at Landon, her eyes brimming with tears. She then said, "You have to tell Willow about this, Julian! I mean, Landon is her own flesh and blood! You can't keep this from her forever. In addition, the Chapmans are planning to send her abroad. What if Landon doesn't make it? She'll never have the chance to see Landon again. That's a regret that'll haunt her forever!"Julian lowered his gaze, his voice rasping beyond recognition as he said, "He only has a 1% chance of survival, Mom. How can I tell her that? It would definitely crush her. It would eat away at her, steal her rest, and drown her in agony. I'd rather she hold resentment toward me; at least after the initial pain, she can live a decent life. "I'm certain that going abroad is the
Willow didn't stay for dinner. She instead asked Julian to return her phone.Julian simply remained silent.Willow fought back her emotions and asked softly, "Are you planning to lock me up again, Julian? I don't have my grandmother anymore, though."Upon hearing her mention Grace, Julian couldn't help but feel a sharp ache. He swallowed hard and said softly, "I'll drive you home. I'll return your phone to you at your doorstep."Having heard that, Willow didn't bother to argue with Julian, merely changing into the clothes she had worn earlier. Jesse, who evidently sympathized with Willow's postpartum recovery, brought a thick shawl and thoughtfully draped it over her. Her voice trembled as she offered her a few comforting words.Willow couldn't help but feel a wave of grief washing over her. She settled into the car, her eyes brimming with tears. Though utterly exhausted, Julian still insisted on driving her home himself. He knew that this fleeting time together held immeasura
In the dead of the night, a white mist crept up the mountainside, swirling and obscuring the entire summit. Upon coming out of the columbarium, Willow was utterly lost in her grief, her frail body swaying unsteadily. She kept repeating Landon's name under her breath, still drowning in her immeasurable pain.Upon seeing Willow come out in such a state, Julian quickly approached her and took off his coat, draping it over her shoulders.Willow fixed him with a vacant gaze. Her eyes held no spark of life, only a deep, abiding sadness. She gently brushed his hand away, wanting neither his comfort nor his presence. His black coat then slid off her shoulders and landed on the ground.Julian swallowed hard, his throat moving noticeably as he said hoarsely, "You should take care of yourself even if you're still upset with me, Willow."Willow looked ahead into the night, her voice steady and unwavering as she said, "It's none of your business whether I'm in good health or not, Julian."Ju
In an instant, ten days had passed. Julian had to go to Nebula Group in Brindley in the evening to attend to a few urgent matters. He had barely stepped out of the elevator when Esther approached him, looking concerned. "Ms. Harper is here, Mr. Ziegler."Julian's steps faltered. He looked intently at Esther's face, remaining silent for a long time. It had been two years since Willow left Nebula Group, never once returning. If she had come today, it could only be because of Landon. He stood still for a moment, then asked softly, "Where is she right now?"Esther hurriedly replied, "I have arranged for her to wait in your office since Ms. Harper still hasn't completed her postpartum recovery. I noticed that she looked terribly sallow—probably due to postpartum fatigue—since it has only been ten days since she'd given birth."They chatted for a while before finally arriving at the entrance of the office, where Esther pushed open the door and tactfully excused herself. Julian walked
It wasn't long before blood flowed, drop by drop, through the transparent tube into Willow's veins. It could be seen that, under the stark glare of lights, she was soaked in sweat, as if she had been lying in a pool.She weakly opened her eyes and gazed at the figures above. Through the hazy vision, she seemed to have noticed Julian's face. She was somewhat bewildered, wondering if the person before her was really Julian. What was he doing here? Hadn't he gone to Grandsburg? Hadn't he insisted on going?She gently blinked her eyes, her vision slowly coming into focus on Julian's face. In her pain-induced haze, she thought she had gone back five years in the past—back to when they got married. She reached out her slender hand and grabbed Julian's shirt, her voice sounding raspy and choked with tears as she pleaded, "Please don't go to Grandsburg, Julian. Please don't go, alright?" Julian was stunned for a moment before realizing that Willow wasn't fully lucid. He kneeled, clasped Wi
Willow's entire body was drenched in sweat as she gasped for air, her eyes growing increasingly dazed.Heather cried, "You have to hang in there, Willow!"It took all her strength, gathered over what felt like an eternity, for Willow to turn her head and say softly, "I-I'll hold on. I'm going to have this baby."She then let out a blood-curdling scream as she tightly gripped the bedsheet, wracked with pain. There was a flurry of activity commencing within and beyond the confines of the delivery room.Maria stepped out of the delivery room with a grave expression and explained solemnly, "I'd like to inform you that she is currently suffering from a major hemorrhage. You should prepare yourselves for the worst. If absolutely necessary, we'll have no choice but to sacrifice the first baby to ensure the survival of the mother and the other baby." Laura remained stunned for a long time before releasing a long, heavy sigh. Melanie's eyes glistened with unshed tears, while Esther held
It was late into the night at the Obstetrics and Gynecology hospital in Yarrowmere. It seemed as if a huge chasm had opened up in the sky, unleashing torrential rain that scoured the world below until it gleamed with an unsettling clarity, a scene both otherworldly and strange.In the delivery room on the second floor, Willow had been lying on the delivery bed, breathing in and out steadily under the medical staff's instructions, pushing with all her might to give birth to her babies.It was around 12:00 am when Willow's water broke, and almost immediately, the first baby began to enter the birth canal. It was past the point for a C-section by the time they arrived at the hospital, leaving her with no choice but to deliver both babies naturally.It was thundering outside while Willow was lying on the delivery bed, her body completely drenched in sweat. Heather remained by Willow's side, holding her hand firmly and repeatedly calling out her name, offering her physical and emotiona