"He's legitimate because I say so. I will let everyone know that Dalton Jardin is my son, "Zach declared.Zach was not discussing this with Madelyn; he merely told her what he planned to do. Madelyn could never stop Zach from doing whatever he wanted. Sometimes, even she would not know what Zach was thinking."I can't allow you to do that. You should put the child under my name. Then he would be my child and have no relation to you. Besides, leaving Ventropolis is your business. I won't be going with you," Madelyn said calmly to Zach. He had his plans, while Madelyn had her convictions.'Father... No... I don't even know if I should call him 'Father,'' Madelyn thought. She was staying in Ventropolis because there were still many things she needed to understand. Most importantly, Madelyn wanted to know whether she was Hayson's biological daughter.However, she did not want their arguing to wake Dalton up. Madelyn got up and left the room. She walked to the living room downstairs to
Madelyn was still concerned about what Zach had said.'Marry me? Marriage? He must've gone crazy!' Madelyn thought.She then absent-mindedly wiped the saliva off Dalton's face. Dalton saw the pacifier near his mouth, so he bit down and sucked on it. He lay down in her arms while staring at Madelyn. Madelyn lowered her head and smiled, caressing Dalton's face.His initial skinny face and brittle hair were totally different now. His cheeks were chubbier, while his hair had grown thicker and darker. Madelyn somehow knew he would grow into a troublemaker by gazing into his eyes. As Zach stepped into the room, the phone in his pocket rang. He took it out to check the caller ID. When his gaze landed on Madelyn, embracing the child, Zach went to his study instead, only accepting the call after he reached the windowsill."What's the matter?" Zach asked.Kai had just finished doing surgery on Frida. He came out of the surgery room and sat down on his chair. He asked tiredly while massaging
Zach answered Madelyn, "It's a follow-up appointment. You've taken your medication too frequently."Madelyn stayed silent. Dalton did not move when he was in Zach's arms. He was wearing a long sleeved shirt today, holding a blue teddy bear close to his chest. He was also wearing a jacket, with a cap on his head. Madelyn had chosen this outfit for Dalton meticulously. Dalton was not as lively as when he was in Madelyn's arms. Dalton was silently biting his fingers as saliva drooled from his mouth.Madelyn turned around to look outside the window. Her cold hands were immediately held by Zach's warm hand. Madelyn froze momentarily and turned her head away as if nothing happened. The car drove for a while and seemed to be heading toward SereneCare Hospital.Zach exited the car with Dalton in his arms when they arrived at the hospital. They gave off the impression of a happy family of three. Zach walked in with his tall frame while Madelyn followed behind him.Madelyn was wearing a beig
Madelyn walked into the changing room. She then did a blood test, neural CT scan, and more. The check-up this time was much more comprehensive. Madelyn lay down on a bed while Kai sat by a machine.She told him, "I've read the whole diary, except for the few pages that were torn off. So am I truly not Hayson's biological daughter?" "Yes!" Kai answered."The revenge plot that you've been talking about since the beginning was all because I was Hayson's daughter, but I never was...""I-I'm sorry," Kai whispered. Madelyn turned to face him, her expression cold as the blood drawn from her left arm was taken to the lab for testing. They were the only people left in the room. Madelyn felt her emotions surge, and her head throbbed. She closed her eyes, not knowing how to process the truth that had just been revealed to her. She could not forgive Kai even though he had done it all for her mother.Kai struggled immensely before saying, "Stay at the hospital for treatment. I'll do everythin
Kai replied, "Forty years ago, Willowbrookshire was where Marisburg stands today. There's a place there called the Forsaken Garden. All those people who died in vain are buried there.""H-He's there too?" Madelyn asked.Kai knew who Madelyn meant. He answered, "After Erick Blinken died, Ms. Wood made his tombstone all by herself. Regardless of whether you believe me or not, you'll know the truth once you arrive at Marisburg. I know that no matter what I do now, I can't undo the damage I've caused you. I will give you my life if you want it now. You don't even have to do it yourself."This was Kai's punishment for himself, to punish himself for foolishly torturing her for so many years."For now, it's best you stay by Zach's side while I investigate some matters. He won't hurt you now. Right now, while there are still unknown dangers lurking, only Zach can protect you," Kai continued.Despite their family's relationship, Madelyn would never call him her brother. When they finished
Madelyn thought, 'Rosario and Hayson are both dead now.'After the cremation, the person who held the urn covered it with a black cloth. He brought it over and said, "My condolences."Zach took over the urn. He said, "I'll handle the funeral."Madelyn expressionlessly responded, "Up to you. I'm fine with anything."She turned around and left after that.In the hall upstairs, Kai had already settled all the expenses. He was carrying a bag containing the medication Madelyn needed for chemotherapy. He said, "The medicines you've been using work well, but they have some negative side effects, so it's time to stop taking them. The medicines I'm giving you now have been clinically tested and are free of any side effects."When Kai saw Zach walk toward them, he leaned slightly toward Madelyn and whispered in her ear, "From now on, I'll always stand by your side."Madelyn trembled and looked at him with a confused expression.Zach walked closer with the child in his arms. Kevin, who ha
Jasmine looked at Madelyn thoughtfully, and it made Madelyn a bit uneasy.Madelyn pretended she didn't see it and thought, 'My dad, Hayson, who raised me, is now being called my real dad's killer. It seems like I don't belong to the Jent family at all.'All of this was overwhelming for Madelyn, including dealing with Jasmine and Samantha.Before Zach could say anything, Madelyn spoke calmly, "If you're in a hurry, we can finish the paperwork for the property transfer tomorrow. I'll give you the mansion, and once all the papers are ready, I'll move out quickly."As for child support, you should talk to Zach."After Zach bought the big house, he put it in Madelyn's name.Even though Hayson was gone, Jasmine was still technically his wife. Madelyn didn't see any reason not to give her the mansion.Madelyn had no plans to get involved in Zach and Jasmine's affairs. She thought, 'Jasmine wants Zach, and it's not my business if he wants to support her daughter.'Madelyn took Dalton f
Madelyn didn't feel the need to explain to Zach why she was taking these medications. He was well aware that she had been born prematurely and had been delicate since childhood. When she got sick, her recovery was often a slow process.About four to five years ago, she had tried to end her life by jumping into the sea. After that incident, her health deteriorated even further.Moreover, her frequent travels to different places exposed her to various climates and hadn't been kind to her overall health.A servant knocked on the partially open door and announced, "Mr. Jardin, Ms. Jent, dinner is served. You can have your meals now."Madelyn told Zach, "You can go downstairs and eat now. I'll get Dal dressed up."Zach replied, "I'll wait for you."Madelyn met Zach's gaze for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes. "It's up to you," she said.Zach took a seat at the end of the bed with Dalton on his lap. Madelyn helped Dalton put on his shirt, while Zach, somewhat clumsily, changed
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