"Renee, listen to me." Cordelia held onto the last glimmer of hope. "The past is already in the past. If you keep digging into it, you'll only become more miserable. And if Toph sees you suffering, do you think he'll feel any better?""Aunt Cordelia...""I'll arrange the best psychologist for you." Cordelia gently stroked Renee's hair. "You're just unwell, and I believe you will get better."Renee remained silent, the darkness in her eyes deepening.The butler lightly knocked on the door and walked over to hand Le Fari to Cordelia.Renee stiffened. When Toph tried to put the ring on her earlier, she pushed him away. She realized she had acted impulsively. This time, she decided to take the initiative and get the ring back."Aunt Cordelia, this...""There's no rush." Cordelia put up a hand with a gentle but firm gesture. She signaled to the butler, who immediately brought a jewelry box over.After Cordelia placed the ring inside, the butler locked the box."Toph mentioned that
"What are you talking about?" Lena laughed after a moment of pause.-Chris and Toph arrived at the hospital to find Lina half-leaning against the bedside. Zuko looked tense, but his joy was evident in his smile. Nicholas, Linda, Zephyr, Cordelia, Jesse, and Melissa were all present.Even Dave, who hardly ever skipped any classes, had skipped a very important class today.Everyone was filled with happy smiles.Toph was momentarily stunned, looking around. "W-What's going on?""Come over here, Toph!" Cordelia waved to him. "You're going to be an uncle!""What?" Toph was both surprised and delighted.Zuko handed him a test report—he had clutched it like a treasure for quite a while before Toph came to the hospital.There was an ultrasound image on it, but Toph could not make out what it was even after staring at it for a while. Below the image were various professional terms that he did not understand either.What he did understand was the last few words—Pregnant, 6 weeks.Len
Cordelia's gaze darkened instantly. Zephyr patted her shoulder and gave her a subtle glance."Your mom didn't sleep well last night, so I'm taking her back to rest first," Zephyr said softly. "Zuko, take care of Pammy.""Don't worry!""Nicholas, Linda, join us?" Zephyr smiled. "It's been a while since we've all gathered. Let's go to my place for a drink!"Nicholas and Linda readily agreed.Melissa gave Lina advice for quite some time before Jesse and Dave pulled her away. When leaving, she looked back with lingering worry."Mom, I'm fine." Lina smiled. "You and dad, though, need to take good care of yourselves. After all, you'll have to help me take care of the baby in the future!""Of course, of course!" Melissa regained her vigor.In reality, she hoped Lina would have more children. Having experienced the pains of childbirth herself, however, she did not want her daughter to go through it again, so it was a bit of a dilemma...Now that most people had left, the room fell qui
Lena was taken aback. She could not come up with an answer to the question, nor could she respond well."Chris... Renee isn't my enemy.""You're the one who isn't treating her like one!" Chris sighed in exasperation. "But what about her? She despises you to the core. She not only sees you as an enemy but as a nemesis!"Lena's fists clenched tightly at her side."I'm not trying to stir up trouble between you." Chris held her shoulders. "I'm just using my military experience to tell you that mutual sacrifices happen frequently on the battlefield. A bullet won't change its course because you're retreating, and an enemy won't spare you just because you're stepping back!"Your retreat will only make her more overbearing! Just because Pammy is in the middle doesn't mean you should be hesitant!"Lena was stunned. Chris' words struck a chord and made her see the depth of his concern.After a long silence, she smiled, her cheeks blushing like peach petals.Chris was entranced, as if her
Suddenly, Renee remembered what Melvin had said to her before his execution."Such a good opportunity to impersonate Pamela and gain the Thompson Group, but you didn't want it! You're as foolish as your mother! You both wretched women!"Renee's head throbbed abruptly, and she trembled slightly."Renee?" Toph looked at her with concern. "Are you feeling unwell?"His hand had not reached her when she moved away.Toph's hand hung awkwardly in the air, a bit embarrassed. It felt like a needle had pricked him, and a drop of blood seeped."Renee—"Before he could form his sentence, there was a knock on the door. Even before the person entered, their sweet voice could be heard."I hope I'm not late for such a happy occasion?"Arya walked in with a gift, heading straight for Lina as soon as she entered the room.Lina was pleasantly surprised. "Why did you come too?""Zuko told me!" Arya's eyes curved with a smile. "He's so eager to announce to the world with a megaphone that he's go
"Uh, well..." Arya felt sweat forming on her forehead, thinking she had caused trouble. "Why don't all of you visit my studio once Pammy's pregnancy stabilizes?"The awkward atmosphere didn't dissipate. Arya flushed in embarrassment. Besides comics and games, she really did not know much else.Lina sensed her discomfort and smiled. "Arya, I suddenly have a craving for milk tea. Could you help me get a cup?"It felt like amnesty was granted to Arya as she glanced at Lina gratefully, then hurriedly rushed out of the room.Toph lowered his head, his lips pressed into a thin line.Renee knew she was in the wrong but did not say anything and hastily walked out of the room."Renee!" Toph was taken aback. Even when he called her, there was no response. He quickly followed after her.Zuko did not manage to stop him in time.Lina tugged at his hand, both of them helpless."Forget it. Let them handle it themselves." Zuko sighed lightly. "Toph needs to grow up too.""Honey...""I know.
Toph chased Renee to the entrance of the hospital.Renee walked with the grace of the wind, ignoring him like he didn't exist. He could have easily caught up with her in a few steps, but every time he tried, she pushed him away.The current Renee treated Toph as a stranger. His heart grew colder bit by bit.He stopped in his tracks, calling out with a hint of grievance, "Renee! What's gotten into you?"Renee also stopped but did not turn around.Toph had seen this back view countless times—petite and delicate—making him feel a strong urge to protect her. Today, this back view was oddly indifferent. There were only a few steps between them, yet it felt like a vast chasm he could not bridge."Renee, you—"Renee turned slightly. "Do you have something else to say?" Toph circled around to stand before her, his gaze anxious. "Do you have to misunderstand me like this? I... I already sent you messages. I told you I wanted to draw comics and showed Ari my work. Why are you upset agai
Renee looked at Toph and snorted. Of course, she knew exactly what she was saying.After losing her mother, she did a lot of thinking. The more she thought, the more she realized how foolish she used to be. She had been so foolish, giving away things she could have easily held onto. She had been naive, letting others use her as a stepping stone without even realizing it.If her mother hadn't insisted that she stop impersonating Pamela, how would the real Pamela have returned to the Thompsons? How could she ever have a chance to reconnect with Zuko?Her mother had been incredibly kind to them, but they had shown no gratitude!And then there was Melvin. Despite her strong dislike for him, on the day of his execution, she felt like her heart was burdened with a heavy stone.After that fateful day, she had no parents left. She became a true orphan. In this world, she could only rely on others, be pitied by others, and ultimately be considered expendable.Renee suppressed the tears th