Ethan was dressed in a gray shirt with a vest and held a suit jacket. Pinching his brow, he walked down, looking like he had not rested well last night. He was surprised to see Madelyn sitting at the dining table and leisurely having breakfast. Usually, she would have already left at this time.Madelyn greeted the just-arrived Ethan, "Good morning!""Morning. Why haven't you left yet?" Ethan asked.Madelyn said casually, "I forgot to charge my phone and the alarm didn't go off, so I overslept. But it's okay, I've already taken leave for the class I missed. Do you want to have some breakfast? The oatmeal today is nice."Ethan raised his wrist and checked the time. "Alright," he responded as he hung his suit jacket on the back of a chair and sat down.After breakfast, Ethan drove Madelyn to school. She arrived just in time for the start of the next class. Ethan leaned over and helped Madelyn unfasten her seatbelt.Madelyn said, "Thanks, I'll go now.""Is the dismissal time the sam
Coincidentally, a group of boys who had just finished playing basketball outside were walking over. Forrest had a black sweatband on his forehead, carrying a basketball. His hair was still damp, chatting with a couple of buddies by his side.Seeing Madelyn stood by the bulletin board, those in the know were watching the drama unfold. Forrest tossed the basketball, and Adrian caught it effortlessly.Watching Forrest unhesitatingly leave his buddies behind and approach Madelyn, Adrian muttered, "What's so great about Madelyn? He doesn't go to bars anymore, and he even quit gaming. He's changed completely since last semester. I think Forrest's been possessed by someone else!"Timothy adjusted the glasses on his nose and smiled softly without saying anything. 'Forrest is just keeping up with Madelyn's pace. The person he loves is outstanding, so of course he has to do his best too. Madelyn is his guiding light, and Forrest is following her.'"Hey Madelyn, did you come to take a look be
"Head to SereneCare Hospital, then call Zach. You'll need a family member to sign off on the surgery.""Understood."When Madelyn got to the hospital, she had met with Kai. Before her operation, Kai had done a checkup on her and found out that her womb had been infected, which was why she was bleeding so heavily."How long did you wait to get this surgery? The infection has already spread."Lying on the surgery bed, Madelyn answered with a hint of sarcasm, "Well, I wouldn't be in this mess in the first place if it wasn't for all of you, right?"Kai smirked. "He's already gone easy on you. If I had my way... that tiny drug wouldn't be enough." He glanced back at her, a mysterious smile on his face. "Get changed into the hospital gown and we can get started. Just remember, once your uterus is gone, you won't be able to have kids, ever."Madelyn forced a smile, tears filling her eyes and dampening her hair. "What choice do I have?"Madelyn looked like she could pass out any second.
The nurse carrying a tray full of used tools heard voices arguing from the medical waste room and quickly walked away, scared. There was a faint smell of blood. On the tray, there was a bloody lump of flesh, weirdly shaped, with clear signs that it was infected; it had already started to change color. This was the abnormal uterus that had been removed from Madelyn."At first, they said there was a chance she could get better, but that was just to make you feel better. Look at this thing; it's already been infected and looks nothing like it should. Leaving it inside Madelyn would only make her condition worse. If it hadn't been removed in time, she could've died," Kai said, as he casually threw the deformed uterus into the waste bin. "Not being able to have kids is not the end of the world. You can always adopt. There are lots of people who care about Madelyn. Is having kids really that important to you?"Kai looked into Zach's deep black eyes and sensed his vibe; he had never seen hi
Madelyn glanced at Ethan and quickly looked away, feeling guilty. She was not sure if it was because she had used him or kept secrets from him.Ethan said, "The doctors said it's just appendicitis, nothing serious. You'll be fine soon, okay? Just stay here in the hospital—"Interrupting him, Madelyn, looking down and leaning against the bed, stared at her hand on the blanket. Her hair was a mess, and she looked pale and tired. "It wasn't appendicitis; it was a hysterectomy."Ethan felt a wave of sadness wash over him.After saying that, Madelyn felt a bit better, but she still could not bring herself to look at him. "The appendicitis surgery was a lie that I told my dad. I don't want to lie to you.""Why?" Ethan asked.Madelyn took a deep breath, looked Ethan in the eyes, and said slowly, "If my dad knew I couldn't have kids, I probably wouldn't even get to finish high school, much less go to college. After high school, I might even be sold off, maybe to older guys who already ha
"The Arnold family has a private doctor who is as skilled as the doctors in our hospital. That patient personally requested to be discharged. Mr. Arnold personally wanted to take her home, so we couldn't do anything," the nurse said.Jadie fiddled with the sunflower bouquet in her hands. "Such a shame. I bought Madelyn's favorite flowers, and she's not here.""But I think that Mr. Arnold is quite nice. Madelyn must be very happy with him," the nurse added.Jadie noticed that Zach had no expression, but his eyes looked cold. Without saying anything, he turned and left.After Madelyn left, no one heard from her for two weeks. During that time, Ethan stayed with her, helping her get better until she could get out of bed.The sun shone through the big windows, lighting up the bed where Madelyn was lying in a light nightgown. Her arm, in the sunlight, looked soft and pale. From her hair all the way to her fingernails, every part of her looked perfect. Her slightly curly hair was braide
While it might have seemed to others that she had made the decision to be with Ethan, the truth of the matter was that it was actually Ethan who had made the choice to be with her.When Ethan first suggested they be together, Madelyn felt unsure; she was scared of repeating past mistakes and was torn between leaving and staying. However, he said he would give her the time she needed to do what she wanted and was willing to wait for her. His kindness and tenderness, and the way he protected her each time, were gradually breaking down the walls she had built around her heart.She had never felt loved before, but she felt it with Ethan. It seemed like no matter what mistakes she made, he would always be there to reassure her that everything was okay and then find a way to fix it. She felt that if this affection did not limit her freedom, it might be worth a try.George had told her that Ethan had someone he had loved before. However, that person had left Ethan after he had gotten into
If it was a materialistic sugar daddy relationship, it would have to be kept hidden. Yet, Madelyn was not only open about it, but now the newspapers were even reporting that Arnold Corporation and Azure Corporation had reached several major business deals. This meant that, having benefited from his daughter Madelyn's involvement, Hayson had fully gained the favor of the Arnold family. Naturally, in front of Madelyn, no one dared to say anything unless they wanted trouble.For some reason, Yvonne had not been to school for a long time, yet she still held a spot in the Math Olympiad training class.As the exam time approached, Madelyn passed the time by reading a novel in Etlinish. Her tutor had mentioned that reading could help increase her knowledge. She used to struggle to even begin a novel, but now she could understand most of it. It was lunchtime, and Madelyn was eating her prepared lunch when Jadie came over, carrying a book in her arms."How've you been lately, Madelyn? Last t
Liam was standing in the rain, and though it hadn't been long, he was thoroughly drenched.Blake quickly pulled him close, her voice laced with concern. "Are you crazy? It's pouring rain! What if you catch a cold?"Liam's look was subdued, his face showing signs of fatigue. "I'm okay. This is for you; I didn't want you to have to come out in this weather."As Blake took in his forlorn appearance, her heart softened suddenly. 'Am I losing my mind?' she thought."Now you'll have to pay more attention to me, Blake... I was just so scared of losing you. I've put everything I have into getting you to agree to marry me; the idea of you walking away is unbearable."Overwhelmed with emotion, Blake locked eyes with him. "Did she teach you to say that too?" she asked, her hand moving on its own to brush away the raindrops from his hair.A maid nearby, observing the scene, rushed over with a blanket and an umbrella. However, Grace, fully grasping the gravity of the moment, halted her. Ackno
Cecilia said, "It's fine. Let's give them a week. Rearrange the flight and all the plans for the trip. This is Blake's first time getting married and going abroad for honeymoon. I want to make sure she has a good time."Susan nodded. "Okay, Ms. Samford."Not long after Cecilia left, three editors who used to work for Olivia's company entered her office. All of them spoke in panic, "Ms. Blue, what should we do? Ms. Samford already knows everything. If the legal department finds out about it, will we go to jail?"Olivia remained calm as she said, "Don't panic. Just focus on your work.""But we got into this company through you. What if they say we got into this company through the back door and then fired us?"Olivia sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with her hands. She was obviously panicking. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."You guys can leave now."Olivia did not expect this matter to be exposed so soon. She wondered how Cecilia found out about it. 'Could it be that she'
StartReading Literary was the last place Cecilia wanted to be. But she made an exception this time.Olivia had just finalized a cooperative copyright deal with another website company. Several editors from her own company were there at StartReading Literary. As she entered the office, she saw all the editors from StartReading Literary sitting upright, not daring to make a sound.She also saw her office door was wide open. She frowned as she walked into her office and was surprised to see an unexpected gust.Olivia put down the documents in her hand. "Ms. Samford, what brings you here?"With her legs crossed and Susan standing behind her, Cecilia stared at Olivia, who was in front of her.Cecilia sneered and stood up. She ran her fingers along the desk. "StartReading is actually the last place I want to be. I came here because I found out that you enjoy meddling in other people's affairs. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to see me."Olivia instantly looked wary. She remained s
Liam stood up. He watched as Blake, who looked weary, walked away. "Blake, what do you want me to do so you'll like me?"Blake did not stop walking. Instead, she took even bigger steps and left.She went to the Harper residence, which surprised everyone.Grace asked, "Blake? Why did you come back here? Where's Liam? Why didn't he come back with you?"Blake stuttered, unable to find the words. She just made up an excuse, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted to come back."After Hannah and Yael left the wedding last night, they went back to the research institute.As for Simon, he went to the farm to manage the business.After Blake went to her room, Grace became worried. She followed her and saw her sitting with a blank expression in the room, not knowing what to do.When Blake saw Grace, she quickly adjusted her mood. "Grace, why are you here?""I came to check on you. Blake, what's wrong? Did you have a fight with Liam? You just had your wedding yesterday, and you're already
The pregnancy test report came out fifteen minutes after Blake did the test. She was indeed pregnant. She was even seven weeks pregnant.Blake had indeed been involved with Kevin while in Northern Myanmar over a month ago.She held the medical report while standing bewildered in the cold hospital corridor. Lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto her body, but all Blake felt was the cold, which made her hands and feet numb.She was lost in her thoughts. 'I'm really pregnant. What should I do with this baby? I want it to be born more than anyone else. But now, everything has changed. This child shouldn't come into this world.'She wandered in the corridor. Suddenly, she saw someone coming out of another gynecological room.She thought, 'Some things are just destined by fate. When I long to see him, even catching a glimpse of him in a dream feels like a luxury, an unattainable wish. But now, when I don't want to see him, it seems he appears everywhere I go.'Kevin supp
Blake wondered, 'I'm now pregnant with Kevin's child. What should I do?'She woke up groggily when she felt someone carry her. She opened her heavy eyelids and asked, "What time is it now?"Liam responded, "It's four-thirty in the morning. It's still early; go back to sleep for a while more."Blake said in a hoarse voice, "I've made an appointment for an abortion at eight o'clock. Regardless of whether I'm really pregnant or not, I don't want to keep this child."She had thought about it all night and believed this was the best decision.Kevin was going to get engaged. Blake believed he would get married and Audrey would give birth to his children. There was simply no need for her to complicate things further.She thought, 'If I choose to be selfish and decide to keep this baby, and if people find out about it, my child will be treated as an illegitimate child. I don't even dare to imagine how badly the child will be treated.'If giving birth to the baby will bring it a lifetime
Blake continued, "What about you, Liam? Do you mind?"If you do, you can choose to divorce me. After all, I've wronged you. No one wants to marry a woman who's carrying someone else's child."Liam stepped forward on the shattered cup and hugged her tightly. "I don't mind. Blake, I love you, including everything about you. I don't mind your past. I just want to start over with you. I didn't tell you about the pregnancy because I was selfish; I wanted to keep you by my side."Blake, your child is my child. I want to raise the baby with you."Don't leave me, okay?"Blake did not know why, but she was not surprised by her pregnancy. However, she felt that there were still some things that she could not let go of, though she was unsure what those were.She was not as calm as she had imagined.She thought about her past events. Then, she indifferently said, "Liam, I don't want this child. Since I'm prepared to be with you, I won't keep this child. It wouldn't be fair to you."Liam di
On this romantic night, the moon was obscured by the clouds.Breathing heavily, Blake felt some pain in her abdomen. She asked to stop. "Liam, my stomach hurts. I think I'm going to have my period soon."Liam sobered up instantly. "I'll go get you some medicine."She peeked out from under the blanket as the bedside lamp turned on. She could clearly see Liam's naked upper body. Her face flushed as she averted her gaze. "It's fine. Just help me call the front desk and ask them to bring up a pack of sanitary pads. I'll go to the bathroom to deal with it."Liam replied, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."Blake picked up her clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom. "It's okay. It's probably just my period."However, judging by the blood flowing out, it did not seem like menstrual blood to Blake. It looked like something else.Blake's voice came from the bathroom again. "I think we should go to the hospital."She sat on the toilet and watched the tall, slende
Blake had no bridesmaids, so she returned to the hotel room alone. As she stepped out of the elevator and was ready to use the room key card in her hand to swipe and enter the room, she suddenly saw a figure appear from the corner of her eye.She stopped her action and looked at the person who had left the wedding earlier.At that moment, Blake felt her breath catch, but it was only fleeting. She then quickly regained her composure and averted her gaze. She asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"Kevin replied, "Congratulations."Upon hearing his congratulations, Blake felt a mix of amusement and discomfort. "There's nothing to congratulate. If anything, I should congratulate you. You're soon to be the mayor's son-in-law. In the future, we won't belong in the same social class anymore."I'm tired and came back to rest. You should leave now before Liam comes up and sees you here."Don't look for me again. I don't want him to misunderstand."Kevin responded, "Audrey and