Both of them had done things for someone, but who was that person? Was this related to Maisie?Just then, he received a call from the hotel, informing him that Maisie had already regained consciousness. Daniel suppressed his thoughts and immediately rushed back to the hotel.Although Maisie had awakened, she still looked pale and weak. When she saw Daniel, she smiled. As he sat by her bedside and embraced her, she took a deep breath and said softly, "I'm so tired..."Daniel gently stroked her head, feeling his heart ache."I feel like I've walked a long way," Maisie murmured, as if in a dream. "The path never seemed to end, and you were always ahead. I kept shouting for you, but it seemed like you couldn't hear me. You were just ignoring me...""Silly girl." Daniel comforted her softly. "You've been under a lot of stress lately because of your writing. Sometimes I feel that the decision to bring you to Cumulus City was... perhaps a mistake."Maisie, how about we go back to Centro
"Rest a bit more." Daniel gently assisted her in lying down, stealing one last glance before finally departing.Throughout the night, Maisie tossed and turned, her head throbbing at times, and the image of the small villa in the woods appeared whenever she closed her eyes. The place Camila had taken her and the one in her dream inexplicably merged.Her heart raced, and she broke into a cold sweat. When she abruptly opened her eyes, dawn had already arrived.Reluctantly rising, she poured herself a glass of water, and at that moment, an unfamiliar number flashed on her phone.After a brief hesitation, she answered, recognizing a somewhat familiar voice."Ms. Squire, it's me.""You...""You saved me on the street the other day, and I've been looking for you."Maisie recalled the pregnant woman and nodded with a smile. "Yeah, I remember you. How are you now? Are you still in the hospital? Are you feeling better?"A moment of silence followed before a soft voice spoke. "Ms. Squire
"The person manipulating my husband and me aims to use this child to create a story and harm you...""What?" Maisie drew in a cold breath. "Harm me? Why...""The day you encountered me on the street, my fetus was unstable, and there was bleeding." Yvette touched her belly and continued. "That person orchestrated everything... I was one of the actors. The people around me gossiping about me being a third party were also part of it! Even at the hospital, the things I said to you were prearranged to provoke you!"Maisie stared at her, her mind completely empty."Miraculously, however, my child was saved at the hospital." Yvette's smile was somewhat weak. "The doctor conducted a detailed examination and said there's a high probability that this child can be born safely."Ms. Squire, I feel that you brought me good luck! So, I can't let you be kept in the dark. Your kindness should be rewarded, and my conscience can also be at ease..."Maisie's mind was in chaos. She took a few steps
"But why would she treat me like this?" Maisie was stunned for some time before she dryly asked, unable to comprehend Camila's actions.The puzzlement lingered. Maisie had no grudges or conflicts with Camila, so why would she repeatedly set her up and drag others down with her?Yvette's gaze held a hint of sympathy as she looked at Maisie."I actually don't understand it either," she said in a low voice. "My husband and I were just following Camila's orders, especially my husband. To keep his job with the Quimbys, he had to do some things that went against his conscience. However... I did hear something from Camila once."Maisie snapped her eyes up at her.Yvette pursed her lips and whispered, "Camila said that all the secrets that could provoke you are in a house near the suburban area."Maisie's heart jolted.That day with Camila hadn't been a casual stroll. There was a hidden agenda.Camila had deliberately taken her to the vicinity of that house, intentionally made her go i
Maisie crouched on the ground, wailing. Her daughter, who hadn't yet had a chance to see the world, was buried there.Slowly, she walked to the outer edge of the courtyard and sat in front of a stone tablet. Repeatedly, she stroked the words engraved on it, tears streaming down her face.Since the day Daniel suggested she abort the child, she had planned to escape. -Back then.They resided on the city's east side, so she fled to the west, renting a shabby house in the suburban area. The conditions were poor—she cooked in the corridor and sought help from an old classmate to find a job.Fearing Daniel's pursuit, she avoided using her ID and worked as a daily laborer in a restaurant kitchen, performing the dirtiest and most exhausting tasks.Kind neighbors, witnessing her pregnancy amid malnourishment, gave her eggs, which she reluctantly consumed, eating only one every two days.Despite the harsh conditions, she found contentment. Enduring anything to settle down and bring her
"Maisie!" Daniel yearned to embrace her, but she suddenly exhibited unexpected strength, a stark contrast from her usual delicacy, fiercely struggling in his arms.Maisie's eyes were red, her hair disheveled, and she screamed like a mad woman, presenting an extremely terrifying image."It's Camila's doing! It must be her!"Daniel was bewildered. "What are you saying?"Before he could react, Maisie delivered a resounding slap across his face.Daniel froze, feeling the fiery pain on one side of his face. The hatred in her eyes surged like turbulent waves as if it would consume him."Maisie—""Bastards! All of you are a bunch of bastards!" Maisie lost her sanity, unleashing a barrage of kicks and punches."Maisie, calm down a bit!""Get away!" Maisie pointed at him, her voice trembling. "You people are too cruel... None of you Quimbys are decent people!""What?""Do you all just love harming other people's children?!" Maisie hysterically shouted, losing her balance and fainting
Daniel's voice quivered. "E-Even if she goes crazy for a lifetime, I'll take care of her!""Daniel, don't be naive." Linda bit down on each word, her intensity palpable. "Leaving aside whether you can accompany her for a lifetime... even if you can, it's a fact that one gets tired of taking care of their parents, let alone a woman you once wanted to abandon!"Daniel maintained his silence, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil."Daniel, just let her go, and let yourself go, too. Both of you need to start anew. Let her forget everything and embrace a brand-new life. Isn't that better?"For her, you're an abyss. If you truly love her, you should place her in the sunlight instead of letting her sink into your world... The doctor said that if she continues like this, she won't hold up both mentally and physically! Do you really want to see her die?"-Daniel leaned on the balcony railing. His temples throbbed, and he felt a choking sensation as if he wanted to cry.He to
Daniel stood blankly on the balcony after the call ended.A breeze blew, sending a chill deep into his body, causing him to shiver.Memories flooded in, recalling a time when Maisie would comfort him by adding extra layers of clothing during such moments of love. But now, she no longer held that love for him.Not only did she not love him anymore, but there was also an overwhelming sense of resentment.Exhausted, he shut his eyes.In reality, Linda was right. Instead of allowing Maisie to harbor hatred fueled by painful memories, it would be better for her to live again with those memories erased.A knock on the balcony door interrupted his thoughts. "Mr. Quimby, Ms. Squire is awake."Daniel turned around quickly but hesitated as he entered the room.The doctor promptly handed him hot water and medicine. "Mr. Quimby, Ms. Squire needs to take her medication on time to calm herself. Are you…"After a prolonged moment of contemplation, Daniel finally made up his mind. "Let me do