This feeling of affection for her had started when they first met.After a while, Maisie's soft voice pierced the night's silence. "Daniel..."Daniel was surprised, and his heart began to race. "What did you say?"Maisie bit her lip, her cheeks flushing as if she had a fever. She was about to speak when a sharp pain gripped her lower abdomen. She gasped and curled up in bed.Daniel sensed something was wrong and rushed into the bedroom. "Maisie, what's wrong?"He gently turned her and saw her pale face. "Maisie?""I... I'm fine." Maisie forced a smile. "It's just a stomachache. I'll be okay if I rest for a while."Daniel's initial thought was that it was her time of the month. He reached for her hand, speaking softly. "I'll go make you some hot chocolate.""No need." Maisie stopped him. "It's not that...""What is it?""It's an old problem," she said weakly with a smile. She had been like that for the past two years, experiencing sporadic pains on both sides of her stomach. T
Maisie frowned, gazing quietly at Graham. After a moment, she spoke with a heavy heart. "Graham, it's impossible for us to return to what we were.""Maisie—""We're from different worlds," she stated plainly. "I can see that you love Sophia. If she hadn't hurt you so deeply, you wouldn't have come back for me.""No!""Let's face reality." Her eyes grew cold. "We can't turn back."Graham's heart plummeted as if into an endless abyss.Maisie was right—he didn't have strong feelings for her. He had mostly dated her because Josiah and Kelly liked her. But beyond impressing the seniors, what did she truly offer? How dare she reject him?He clenched his fists, and his eyes underwent a subtle change. As Maisie began to leave, he blocked her path. "You've been into Daniel from the start, haven't you?"Maisie was taken aback."It was you who betrayed me first!" Graham glared at her fiercely, losing his composure. "Though unspoken, you emotionally cheated on me! You were charmed by him
Daniel headed directly to the gynecology department, where Nina Perkins, who had previously consulted with Maisie, had just seen another patient. His unexpected presence took her aback."Mr. Quimby," she greeted him.Daniel nodded and entered her office, closing the door behind him.Nina handed him Maisie's medical report. He struggled to decipher the medical terms but gleaned some insight from the doctor's expression."Is it... quite serious?" he asked.Nina responded honestly. "Yes. To be precise, it's related to the previous labor induction."Daniel's face darkened—this was what he had feared."I examined Ms. Maisie's medical records from Cumulus City. The procedure caused significant harm, leading to frequent stomachaches."Daniel's heart ached, and he instinctively clenched his fists."Don't worry, Mr. Quimby," Nina assured, adjusting her glasses. "It's not incurable. But if the two of you plan to have children...""We'll discuss that in the future," he replied solemnly.
The nurse nodded and said, "That's correct. It was labor induction." She then showed a picture on her phone, revealing Maisie's confidential medical report."You might not understand all the medical terms and data, but it does show Ms. Squire's past record. She did undergo labor induction."Moreover, from the records, it's clear that the fetus was not mature, around four to five months. This should have been a stable period during her pregnancy, yet labor induction was performed. I can't imagine what happened back then."Graham squinted and bit his lip, a sly expression appearing on his pale face."You may not get it, but I do," he said.The nurse was surprised. "Sir, you—""Okay," Graham instructed, meeting her gaze. "Keep this to yourself. I won't need your help anymore. Be discreet."The nurse nodded and quietly exited through a nearby door.Graham stood still, deep in thought. This was likely related to Daniel.From what he remembered, Maisie had been reserved in their rel
Wesley entered the room and noticed that Graham was the only person there. The dish on the table emitted a steady stream of steam into the air. A layer of fiery red chili oil coated its surface, resembling a python's tongue poised to engulf him and drag him to the depths of hell.Upon looking up, Wesley met Graham's sly gaze, which left him so startled that his knees buckled, and he tumbled to the ground.Graham flatly remarked, "What's with the courtesy, Mebane? It occurs to me that we were almost family!"Sweat poured down Wesley's face as he remained motionless on the floor.Graham instructed his men to assist Wesley to a seat on the opposite chair. It was a stark contrast to his earlier arrogant demeanor when he was intoxicated.Graham regarded Wesley with contempt.During their engagement, Wesley had never met Maisie's family. His constant overseas travels left him with little time to do so. Moreover, he held a low opinion of her maternal family, deeming it unnecessary to me
Daniel cradled Maisie gently and quickly slipped on slippers for her when they entered the house. He was adamant that she shouldn't lift a finger.She retorted, "I've only got a stomachache, not as weak as you think. Plus, the doctor said it's minor."Daniel said gloomily, "It's better to be cautious."Maisie lowered her head, smiling with a heart full of joy. "I want to take a nap," she said.Daniel nodded, bent down, and carefully carried her to the room, gently tucking her into bed. "Why are you treating me like a kid?" Maisie asked."You're a kid to me." He patted her head and smiled. "Remember when you first called me 'Mister'?"Maisie blushed. "You remember that? But I don't think you're old at all now!"He was taken aback, then grinned.She had said the same thing in the past. However, she might have been trying to please him back then. To him, she had just been... a toy.His heart ached as he looked at her with guilt, regret, and self-blame.Daniel continued to care
Maisie was deeply affected by the situation, regardless of the terminology used. Those who took pleasure in her misfortune didn't care if her love for Daniel was genuine. They would judge her solely based on their own moral beliefs."What happened?" Graham asked. "What about the child?""She got pregnant by accident." Wesley's voice gradually lowered. "Daniel was overbearing and controlling. He had forbidden her from becoming pregnant, but she did anyway. How could that benefit the girl?"Furthermore, they had been together for nearly three years. I suppose... by then, Daniel had grown tired of her, so he didn't spoil her as much."I remember one night she rushed home in a panic. As soon as she arrived, she sought her sister, and they locked themselves in a room, talking all night."In the morning, Daniel's men blocked my way at the door, and they took Maisie back. I don't know what happened after that. I heard she wanted to keep the baby and kept running away, but Daniel would al
Wesley shivered when he saw Graham's grin. Unsure whether to raise his glass, he reluctantly went along, forcing a smile. "Yes, yes! You'll wipe the floor with those guys, Mr. Bayer!""Will you assist me?" Graham asked."I..." He couldn't bring himself to respond."If you're willing to help, I can find ways to not only revive your struggling business but also elevate your success beyond imagination!"Wesley scanned his surroundings, then reluctantly nodded while gnashing his teeth.-It was evening when Maisie awoke.The sunset streamed through the wall-to-ceiling window, casting a warm glow on the living room carpet. She rose quietly and found Daniel busy in the kitchen.She smiled and playfully embraced him from behind.At first, he was taken aback, but he soon turned around with a smile."The soup will be ready soon," he said.Today, he was preparing truffle and mushroom soup.He had been improving his culinary skills. The soup's temperature was just right, and its aroma