"She saved you!" Renee's mind was clouded by hatred. "Back then, those people wanted to kidnap you! I was the one who got involved because of you!""You...""Krystal saved you out of consideration for your dad! Saving her old lover's child, she's really noble, huh?"Lina bent over, clutching her stomach, which was throbbing in discomfort."But don't you forget who it was who wanted to kidnap me back then!" Lina bit down hard on each word. She had not wanted to say these heartless words—they were like sharp blades that would leave others wounded. She did not want to fall out with Renee as she still had a last bit of bottom line.But she now understood that Renee was not worth it.Toph's decision to break up with her was correct. There was no need for sympathy when dealing with a venomous snake."It was Melvin who wanted to kidnap me back then! It was Melvin who separated me from my parents for 20 years!"Renee, I always treated you as a younger sister and felt sorry for you for
"Chris, you..." Lena asked him in a murmur, "What are you saying?"Chris' heart clenched, but his words could not be taken back. He did not regret revealing the truth—he was just afraid of seeing the disappointment in Lena's eyes.That look was as if her unwavering beliefs had collapsed, and the light she had always trusted had suddenly gone out. She had thought she was not alone in this world, but it was all a joke now."Lenny..." Chris licked his dry lips. "I'm sorry, I..."Under Lena's gaze, he could not even say a complete sentence.Lena's ears were buzzing. When Renee had exposed her as Nicholas' illegitimate daughter earlier, she had been angry and afraid—angry that Renee had revealed her secret and afraid that she would lose Lina and Nicholas.Now, Chris was saying that she was not from the Thompsons.She felt hopeless. It was like stepping into an abyss. There was nothing left in her world to support her.Her legs gave way, and she collapsed."Lenny!" Chris panicked an
"Lenny, are you adjusting well over there? Do you know that I've been to that mountainous region?"There was no response from the other end, but Chris continued to talk."Haha, you don't believe me? I really have been there! Back when I was still in the military, I assisted a special police unit in that area to eliminate a criminal gang. Hehe... I even earned some merits! So, how about it? Do you think your man is impressive?"I knew it. You must think I'm impressive!"By the way, Lenny, Renee... has been prosecuted. Since her last uproar at the Thompsons', Uncle Nicholas and Aunt Linda have not planned to let her off. She's now receiving the punishment she deserves."Lenny, look, they all love you very much... and Pammy sends you messages daily. Haven't you seen them?"Oh, I know, the signal in the mountains is not great, and you can't receive messages sometimes, right?"Lena giggled on the other end. That was true—the signal was not very good in the mountains, so she had stopp
It was then she felt a warm rush surge, and there was a sensation... like she was wetting herself!"Ah!" Lina screamed in fright. "Mom! Mom!"Cordelia and Linda quickly turned around. "What is it?"Lina pointed downward.Linda lifted the blanket and saw that a puddle of water had formed beneath her."Your water broke!" Linda pressed the call button.Doctors and nurses rushed in, examined Lina, and then wheeled her into the delivery room.For the next while, every minute and second felt like agony for Zuko. He tried several times to peek through the delivery room door to see what was happening inside, but he could not see anything. The delivery room door had strong soundproofing, so he could not hear any sounds from inside. But he knew Lina must be in pain!He sat on a chair, clutching his hands together and his eyes reddening. He wished he could bear the pain for her."Don't worry," Cordelia comforted. "I heard they have epidurals for childbirth nowadays. I've already arranged
Zuko hesitated, unsure of what to say. In fact, Lena had returned last night and had been waiting outside the delivery room. After learning that Lina and the baby were safe, she quietly left.Lina had just given birth, and her incision had not healed yet. The doctor had advised against emotional fluctuations at this time to avoid affecting her recovery. As such, Zuko smiled and said, "Don't worry. Lenny's been concerned about you.""Really..." Lina sounded a bit disappointed. "She's concerned about me but hasn't replied to any of my messages?""Didn't Chris say that the signal is poor in the mountainous area? Even if she replied, you might not receive it.""Oh," Lina said, lowering her gaze. She was exhausted after giving birth and just wanted to get some rest.Zuko kissed her forehead and whispered, "Rest well. I'll be here with you and the baby."Lina closed her eyes, feeling at ease.She did not know how long she had slept, but she suddenly heard a baby's cries. Her eyelids f
Lena sat by the bedside, holding Lina's hand, and murmured, "Why isn't it men who go through childbirth... Now you have to endure this pain.""What are you saying?" Lina suppressed her laughter, fearing her incision might open."Isn't it true?! Why should women bear all these pains?" Lena thought about her time teaching in the mountainous area and the plight of those girls from impoverished families. It stirred up a mix of emotions."Sis, when I saw those girls during these past few months in the mountains... I couldn't help but feel bad for them."Lina responded softly. "Tell me about it.""I don't have much education, so I could only teach them P.E. there." Lena chuckled. "But I noticed that these girls were still very restricted even during P.E. classes."The people in that area have conservative mindsets. Some even believe that girls shouldn't go to school. They don't even have a decent pair of sports shoes. They wear hand-me-downs from their brothers that are either too smal
Zuko forced back a laugh. "Uh, dad… Actually, mom isn't entirely wrong...""Hmm?"Zuko began a serious explanation. "You really can't breathe directly before a newborn. She's still so tiny, and what you breathe out is carbon dioxide, while she needs fresh oxygen, so...""You ungrateful brat!" Zephyr finally used his mother's words against his son.From then on, though, Zephyr developed a talent for holding his breath. When facing his granddaughter, he could not only stop breathing but also maintain a loving and radiant smile simultaneously.The most wonderful part was that he could hold his breath while he cradled his granddaughter until she fell asleep. Afterward, he'd gently put her in her crib and release a long breath.Toph watched in amazement and whispered to Zuko, "Dad's skills are good enough for him to enter an ancient tomb! He doesn't even need to breathe!"Before Zuko could laugh, they saw Zephyr glare at them.No living creature was allowed to make any noise while t
Lina gave him a gentle nudge. "I know.""I really love you."Her grin grew even brighter. "I know!""Honey, I..." Zuko wanted to say something even more affectionate, but Lena knocked on the door."Lina!"Zuko took a deep breath with a helpless expression.Lina smiled and let Lena in, but she noticed a few people accompanying Lena."Mr. Chriss?"Elijah nodded, and Kasey also greeted them warmly.Nala hopped around Lina's bedside. "Where's the little baby?""Hey, Nala!" Elijah hurriedly stopped her."It's okay." Lina smiled and patiently explained to Nala, "The baby is in the baby room next door. But she's asleep right now. How about you play with her when she wakes up?"Nala clapped her hands excitedly and ran over to Lena.Elijah looked somewhat helpless and frowned, chiding Kasey in a hushed tone, "I told you not to bring her along. Look, she's just causing trouble!""What's the harm in that?" Zuko said warmly, "It's in a child's nature! Mr. Chriss, I have a daughter no