Brendan felt a sharp pain through his shirt, causing him to furrow his eyebrows. His face turned pale, and he quickly pushed Deirdre away to prevent her from biting him.Deirdre staggered and fell to the ground, unable to maintain her balance. She instinctively protected her belly by breaking her fall with outstretched arms. However, her emotional state and vigorous actions still caused pain in her belly.Clutching her belly, Deirdre looked up to see Brendan helping Emily to stand. Her eyes were bloodshot with anger.After ensuring Emily's safety, Brendan's furrowed eyebrows relaxed. He turned his fierce gaze toward Deirdre and said, "You must be out of your mind! Call the police and have her taken to the police station!"Deirdre sneered and replied, "You're right. I have lost my mind... I lost it from the beginning! How could I have fallen for you? How could I... I shouldn't have believed your last words, thinking you would protect Joseph!"Panic flickered across Emily's face whi
A floaty voice emerged from the crowd, saying, "However, Mr. Brighthall took Ms. McKinnon to the Kings' wedding a few months ago in Eastgene and publicly acknowledged her as his partner. If the child isn't Mr. Brighthall's, why would he do that?"Emily glanced around but couldn't spot the person speaking. Anger surged within her, and she immediately retorted, "That's because Brendan initially believed the child was his. Who would have guessed it was just an illegitimate child?""If it's an illegitimate child, that means she cheated on Brendan first. Why should he show her any respect?"Deirdre curled up, hiding the hatred in her bloodshot eyes, and lowered her gaze."I can confirm that the child is Brendan's," she said, feigning grief. "I have the courage to get a paternity test, but can you afford to make that bet? Are you willing to announce to the world whether the child in my womb is illegitimate or Brendan's?"Emily staggered back, feeling dizzy, while Deirdre spoke coldly. "
Emily lowered her head, concealing the emotions in her eyes."I had no idea. Ms. McKinnon suddenly confronted me. I thought she blamed me for taking Joseph away, but she mentioned Joseph being disabled. I don't understand..."Brendan's dark eyes reflected her innocence. "So... you were unaware of Joseph's accident?""Absolutely." Emily nodded eagerly. "I only pleaded for Joseph's release. I have no knowledge of anything else. I'm uncertain if something happened to Joseph during his journey...""I understand now."-Deirdre exited the hotel, her stomach pain intensifying. She gnashed her teeth and approached the intersection to hail a taxi."Take me to Crest Hospital, please..."Observing her pale face and profuse sweating, the driver grew alarmed. "Young lady, are you about to give birth? If so, you should find another cab. If my car gets messy, it'll cost me a fortune to clean!"Deirdre took a deep breath and replied with a determined gaze, "Don't worry. My baby is only seven
Deirdre's lower lip trembled as tears streamed down her face, meeting Josie's hopeful gaze. With great effort, she found her voice. "I'm sorry, Josie... I—"But Josie's grip on her arm tightened, cutting her off. "Deirdre, I don't want apologies. I want Joseph to be healthy again. I won't force you, but can you please ask Brendan for help? He's the father of your child. Maybe he'll be willing to assist us."Deirdre's heart ached at Josie's plea. It was a moment of unbearable torment. She couldn't ask Brendan for help, not after what had happened. He had nearly taken her to the police station.Overwhelmed with sorrow, Deirdre sank to her knees, curling into a ball. "I'm sorry, Josie! It's all my fault. I failed to protect Joe. I never imagined that those who hate me would harm innocent people like him. I'm so sorry!"Josie stared at her, her gaze empty. She held her crying child, but her mind was blank.As she stood up, her expression vacant, she murmured, "Joseph... Joseph... He w
Josie's anger boiled over as she spoke. "You offended someone, but Joseph was the one who got hurt. Will my child or I be the next to suffer?"Enough! I've had enough! I used to believe that good people would be rewarded, but now I don't believe in that nonsense at all!"I just want to distance myself from all of this. All I hope for is that my Joseph can get his legs back. Can you do that? If you can't, then I beg you not to cause me any more trouble!"After Josie's angry outburst, she collapsed onto the chair, followed by the child's loud sobs. The entire corridor was filled with a suffocating sadness.Deirdre, dazed and overwhelmed, took a step back. "I'm sorry..." Her eyes were vacant, and she didn't know what else to say besides 'sorry'.Josie covered her face and cried, completely ignoring the child.Deirdre bit her lower lip in embarrassment and turned to leave. Just then, there was movement from the intensive care unit, and a nurse emerged from the room. "Who here is Jose
Deirdre entered the room silently, her eyes fixed on the hospital bed. She hesitated to approach, afraid of disturbing something in her path.Joseph greeted her with a smile, "Why do you and Josie look so sad, especially you, Deirdre? Josie has just come out of confinement, so it's okay, but you're pregnant. If you're upset, your daughter might also be born with a frown."Joseph's attempt at humor only intensified Deirdre's sadness."Joe..." Deirdre's voice was hoarse, and she struggled to speak, but Joseph interrupted her, "No one wanted this to happen. It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. If anyone should be blamed, it's me for unknowingly offending someone."Deirdre shook her head vigorously. "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have offended Emily. It's all my fault! But I can't help but want to seek revenge for you...""I don't need revenge," Joseph's smile faded as he spoke seriously. "Deirdre, what's done is done. Seeking revenge now is unrealistic. Besides, I don't wan
"You just sit there," Josie said with a hint of guilt and exhaustion. "I thought about it carefully, and you are also a victim in this matter. I shouldn't blame you. I was too emotional earlier and said those hurtful things impulsively... I'm sorry."Deirdre was surprised, her soft lips trembling as she replied, "Josie, how can you apologize to me?"Confused, Deirdre tightly clenched her palm and said, "It's clear that I should be apologizing to you. It was me who caused Joe to end up like this—""It wasn't you," Josie firmly interrupted her. "You didn't frame Joseph, and you didn't do anything to him. Perhaps it's a good thing that Joseph was the one who got hurt. At least it's not you who ended up like this. Otherwise, you would have lost your legs while pregnant with a child, and you would be alone and helpless. You would be miserable for the rest of your life."Deirdre lowered her head forcefully and bit her lower lip. Josie hurriedly approached, and the two embraced and cried
Josie remained resolute, but Hilda sighed and said, "Josie, I can't lend you money. Joseph can't work, and you have to take care of your child. You don't have any financial resources. If I lend you money, I'll never get it back. There are so many poor people in the world. How can I afford to give money away for free?"My eldest son recently started seeing a girl, and I want to buy him a house in the city so that she will fall in love with him. Nowadays, girls are materialistic. If you don't have a house in the city, why would they marry you?"This is about my eldest son's happiness, so please understand. I'll definitely lend you money when I have some next time."The phone call ended abruptly. It was getting dark, and Josie gritted her teeth as she made countless phone calls, almost begging everyone for help. In the end, she managed to borrow only $50,000.After handing over the money that night, the doctor informed Josie, "You need to pay the remaining balance of $70,000 tomorrow.