The kidnapper urged Lydia forward, leaving her with no choice but to slowly edge towards the rooftop's edge.As Lydia walked, she continued to engage the kidnapper."Sir, if you're determined to kill me, may I ask why? We're strangers. Why do you want my life? If it's money you seek, I can give you whatever you want. You may not know my wealth, but I assure you, it surpasses what your employers offer. Who you serve matters less than the payment, doesn't it?"The kidnapper hesitated for a moment, his expression shifting.He snapped at Lydia, "Stop talking nonsense! Move! Jump!"As the kidnapper spoke, his knife grazed Wythe's skin, leaving a faint trail of blood. Lydia's eyes reddened. "Don't hurt my son!""Shut up, or I'll cut off his ear!" the kidnapper threatened.Gritting her teeth, Lydia approached the rooftop's edge as instructed. The wind tousled her hair, threatening to push her over at any moment.Wythe, wide-eyed and muffled, whimpered continuously.Standing there, soaked in
Lydia's heart was heavy with sorrow as she looked at her pitiful yet adorable child. It felt like her heart was being scorched.Wythe shouted, "Mom, don't listen to him! If you die, I'll jump down too!"Wythe's eyes, dark as ink, were filled with despair.He even hated himself a little—if he weren't a child, he wouldn't be in such a helpless situation!Just as mother and son were on the brink of despair, something swiftly flew toward Wythe.Suddenly, a sharp scream pierced the air, and the knife poised at Wythe's neck clattered to the ground."Ah..."Before Wythe could react, two tall figures rushed towards him. Through his tear-blurred vision, he made out the familiar faces."Uncle Fraine..."Andrew quickly freed Wythe from his bonds. His wrists were bruised and swollen from the prolonged restraint.Anger etched on Andrew's face, he kicked the kidnapper hard, sending him crashing into a wall, where he slumped unconscious.Breathing a sigh of relief, Andrew saw Wythe exhale deeply, re
Lydia murmured softly, and Lambert's heart tightened with a feeling he could only describe as heartache."Lydia, we don't know if Wythe has any other injuries. It might be best to take him to the hospital for a check-up. I've already called the police about the kidnapper,"Andrew interjected, breaking the tense atmosphere between Lydia and Lambert.Lydia stood up, sincerely thanking Andrew. "Andrew, thank you so much this time!""You're welcome, Lydia. Your safety is the most important thing. Do you want to wait here for the police or go to the hospital first?"Lydia thought for a moment. "Let's wait for the police. If Odelia is behind this, there will be evidence."Lambert suddenly spoke up, "Can I handle the follow-up investigation on this matter?"Lydia raised an eyebrow. "You? What do you want to do? Cover for Odelia?"Lydia was like a wary porcupine, her words sharp and defensive. But instead of getting angry, Lambert felt a surge of tenderness because he knew Lydia was just tryi
Odelia smiled with a touch of emotion. "Thank you, Uncle and Auntie.""We're family, no need to be so polite," Nydia said, her eyes focused on Odelia's belly, brimming with happiness.The more Lambert listened, the more uncomfortable he felt.He abruptly stood up from his chair."I have some work to do in the study," he announced and left the room.The supposedly warm atmosphere only made him feel stifled and uneasy.Back in his study, he opened his laptop and looked at the photos of Wythe and Lydia, finally finding some peace.Meanwhile, Nydia sensed something was off. "What's wrong with Lambert? He seems upset."Odelia's eyes flickered as she spoke with a hint of grievance, "I think I know why.""What do you mean?"Odelia paused, her expression somber. "Lately, Lambert has been paying a lot of attention to Lydia and her son. Uncle, Auntie, I think this situation isn't good. If Lambert regains his memory, he'll blame us.""What?" Nydia dropped her sketchbook in shock. "Odelia, tell m
Lydia sighed, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I should be the one apologizing for wrongly accusing you. I'm really sorry. I wasn't intentionally angry at you; I was just frantic at the time. Now that I think about it, Felix was hit and confused, and might have misheard someone talking about you, Roxanne.""Alright, enough with the apologies. It's tiring to hear," Jerome said with a smile.Everyone laughed, and Jerome felt relieved. This laughter seemed to dissolve any lingering grudges.He had just received definite news that Lydia's son had been kidnapped, and one of the rescuers was Lambert!So, Jerome had carefully explained the situation to his sister, hoping she could improve her relationship with Lydia and not see her as an enemy.What truly made Roxanne set aside her grievances and happily come to apologize was learning that Lydia and Lambert were indeed married, and Wythe was their child.She had heard this from her brother before but ha
Lambert drove directly to the Halsey residence, his lips pressed into a tight line, and his eyes deep with suppressed anger.His mind was a chaotic mix of emotions: rage, disappointment, confusion towards his parents, and guilt, heartache, and self-blame for Lydia and her son.His emotions were teetering on the edge of collapse.The Maybach sped along the road, kicking up dust. The wind blowing through the open window ruffled his hair and slightly calmed his nerves.A journey that normally took half an hour, Lambert completed in under twenty minutes.At the Halsey home, Odelia was with Nydia, looking at baby clothes. Based on the due date, the baby was expected around the New Year, so Nydia had custom-made festive winter clothes for the child, even though they might not fit.When Lambert walked in, Odelia was surprised but then smiled.She had mentioned the arrival of the custom baby clothes to him yesterday, suggesting he come home e
Lambert's gaze was icy. "If she's so prone to agitation, then Odelia's pregnancy is really a difficult one to protect. If that's the case, she might as well just go to the hospital and get an abortion. It would save her a lot of trouble!""You insolent fool! What nonsense are you spouting? Are you trying to drive me and your mother to our graves?" Odgen's face turned livid with rage, while Odelia bit her lip and remained silent.She hadn't forgotten that she was pretending to be in distress due to her pregnancy and couldn't argue with Lambert like a normal person.Lambert remained indifferent. "Odelia, there's something else I want to warn you about: secrets have a way of coming out. Don't think you can hide everything forever."With that, Lambert strode away, driving off swiftly from the estate.He didn't notice that after he left, Odelia, terrified by his words, actually fainted.The estate plunged into chaos. Nydia and the others, unaware
Lambert gazed deeply at Lydia, unable to comprehend her thoughts. Women were indeed the hardest to understand.He had believed Lydia went to great lengths to find him, hoping he would regain his memory and they could live together again.But now, she was saying they were not suited for each other?"Is this all you want to say to me?" Lambert's brows furrowed as he suppressed the inexplicable anger rising within him.Lydia looked up and glanced at him briefly before lowering her eyes again. Her tone remained calm and steady."Yes, that's all I want to say. Isn't it the only thing I can say right now? After all, you've completely forgotten everything. The joys and sorrows of the past are just memories for me alone now. Besides, you have a new fiancée and were even on a honeymoon with her recently. So, Mr. Halsey, what should I say to you? What can I say to you?"There was an unintentional hint of grievance in Lydia's words. Lambert's pr
Lydia looked at the foot basin, her cheeks reddening slightly. This had become a routine for Lambert, who had read somewhere that foot soaks and massages could ease swelling for pregnant women. So, he made it his mission to prepare a foot bath for her every day at the same time.At first, Lydia was quite resistant, but with Lambert's persistence and Wythe's innocent pleas, she eventually gave in.Now, Lambert was crouched down, without concern for his appearance, gently removing her shoes. Seeing Lydia's noticeably swollen feet filled him with worry. Was this foot bath helping at all? Why was her swelling still so bad?It was Lambert's first time caring for a pregnant woman. He had heard of all the challenges women face during pregnancy, but witnessing it firsthand, especially with someone he loved deeply, stirred a strong, indescribable tenderness within him. He felt an overwhelming desire to protect Lydia from any pain, to the point of wishing he could bear it all himself.Lambert c
The next morning, when Wythe woke up, he found his mother looking at him with gentle eyes. Unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed Lydia, then nuzzled against her shoulder, seeking comfort.Lydia felt a warm flutter in her heart; her child had missed her. A wave of guilt washed over her as she stroked Wythe's little head. "Wythe, I'm sorry for not saying anything before and leaving you behind."Wythe, despite his previous frustration, had come to understand that his mother had no choice. "It's okay, Mom. I've grown up and can understand your decisions. Just promise that wherever you go, you'll take me with you.""Of course!"As they chatted warmly in the living room, Lambert stood in the kitchen, facing a daunting array of ingredients. He had done some research beforehand and learned that pregnant women needed balanced nutrition, preferably from home-cooked meals, since who knew about the hygiene of outside food?Determined to prepare a meal for Lydia, Lambert decided to cook. After
Once Lydia calmed down, she realized Lambert had already come in. Given Wythe's presence, it was obviously unrealistic to ask him to leave.Seizing the moment, Wythe turned to Lydia and said, "Mom, can I stay with you tonight?"Lydia nodded without hesitation. "Of course you can! Where else would you stay?"As she spoke, she shot a glance at Lambert, her eyes clearly indicating that she wanted him to leave as soon as possible. He was just too much to deal with.Unfortunately, Lambert didn't take the hint and instead asked, "Lydia, you only have a small bed here. Wythe won't fit; I think he should stay at my place."Although it was just next door, Lambert's place was vastly different—a spacious two-hundred-square-meter apartment with three bedrooms and two living areas, while Lydia's was only about ninety. As soon as he moved in, Lambert had redecorated one of the rooms specifically for Lydia.Before Lydia could respond, Wythe looked at
No matter how upset Lydia felt, Lambert followed her like a shadow. However, he managed to avoid any more foolish actions after their earlier confrontation, even going so far as to apologize.He was humble, hoping to cheer her up, but she remained as cold as ice, leaving him in despair."Dad, I've arrived at Y City Airport! Come pick me up!"When Lambert received Wythe's call, he felt like a savior had arrived. Ever since their argument over Lydia's job, she hadn't spoken to him at all. Initially, she wouldn't let him in, and now she didn't even open the door. If she saw it was him through the peephole, she would resolutely stay inside!With that attitude, even Lambert's best efforts were useless.Wythe's arrival was the perfect catalyst to break the deadlock. Delighted, Lambert headed straight to the airport after dropping off Lydia's meal, as usual.Meanwhile, Lydia was fuming at the sight of meals consistently hanging on her door. She cou
Lambert presented himself as refined, but his underlying dominance was unmistakable. "That's not the case, Principal. I'm just worried about Lydia's health. She's pregnant, and she's caring for a class full of four- and five-year-olds. If something were to happen, it could be very dangerous for her."The principal furrowed her brow, eyeing him curiously. His concern seemed more like that of a family member than a parent. "While your point is valid, we've already considered this. Surely, you wouldn't expect her to be dismissed? After all, maternity leave is an option now...""Maternity leave is limited," Lambert replied firmly. "Besides, you must know that Lydia can't stay here forever."The principal felt uneasy. Lambert's demeanor and attire suggested he was no ordinary individual; why would he want his family working in such a small place? Something felt off."On what grounds are you so sure?" she asked.Lambert responded with unwavering confiden
Meanwhile, Lydia was feeling quite emotional in her room. The impact of seeing Lambert, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, was overwhelming. He had lost quite a bit of weight, and from his words, it seemed he had been eager to find her ever since he left.It would be a lie to say she wasn't touched; he truly cared about her. She had always held onto him in her heart and never let go. However, the idea of going back because of this was unlikely; after all, she was a stubborn person, and once she made a decision, it wasn't easy to change her mind.Lydia hoped that Lambert would take the hint and leave soon so her life could return to normal. Otherwise, her heart would be in turmoil!As Lambert, whom Lydia hoped would leave, was knocking on the door next door, an elderly man in his sixties opened it, eyeing Lambert suspiciously.Lambert straightened his clothes and spoke with a gentle tone, "Hello, I'm Lambert. The thing is..."Lydia, completely obl
Using their son as a shield might seem a bit embarrassing, but it was undeniably effective. Sure enough, upon hearing Wythe's name, Lydia paused her resistance to Lambert. She struggled to move her legs and began to make her way toward her home.What should have been a short ten-minute walk turned into a half-hour ordeal due to Lydia's difficulty in moving. During this time, she even awkwardly made a trip to the restroom. As she entered the later stages of her pregnancy, not only had her legs swollen, but her trips to the bathroom had also increased significantly. Just moments ago, she had finished a latte, which made the situation even more awkward—suddenly needing to find a restroom while walking.Lambert, while unaware of the many inconveniences pregnancy could bring, couldn't help but feel like a negligent husband and father as he watched Lydia struggle. He realized he knew nothing about what she was going through. Seeing her in such discomfort made his heart
Lambert closed his eyes, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart. He had truly found Lydia!"Sorry, Lydia, I think I got a bit carried away!"Could this be a dream? If it is, he hoped he'd never wake up.Lydia was at a loss for words. This wasn't just being a bit excited; he was clearly overwhelmed!She decided to change the subject. "Lambert, how's Wythe doing?" Her son was the person she cared about most, and the one she felt she owed the most to."He's fine, but he really misses you. I didn't expect that after all this time, you wouldn't even call once."Hearing this, Lydia lowered her head, guilt washing over her. In some ways, she knew she hadn't been a very good mother. She had neglected her son for her own feelings."I'm sorry..."Lambert sighed softly, a mix of emotions swirling within him. "You don't need to apologize, Lydia. It's all my fault. If I hadn't misunderstood you, you wouldn't have felt the need to leave Nov
Debby felt a sudden jolt, her ears turning bright red. Being caught doing something wrong and exposed in public was a uniquely uncomfortable experience."Uh, I..."Lambert's heart raced. Could it be that he finally found the right place? Was Lydia really at this kindergarten?Fearing he might startle her, he spoke gently, his tone patient. "Debby, there's been a misunderstanding between Lydia and me. I care about her deeply, and I can't lose her. I don't know how you've interpreted our situation, but as her friend, I assume you want her to be happy too?"Debby hesitated at his words. Was this man truly a scoundrel? Upon reflection, Lydia had only mentioned that she had divorced her partner and left Nova City due to some circumstances. She had never spoken ill of her ex-husband, so perhaps she had misjudged him?Debby's expression shifted, yet she still seemed unsure. Lambert seized the moment to ask, "Debby, Lydia hasn't left, has she?""How