Chapter 435
Because this had been Anathea’s decision.
Every time she thought back to those nights, when she lay in bed gently stroking her belly and listening to that strong ‘ heartbeat, her body trembled uncontrollably. Her heart felt like it was being ripped apart. The pain was so sharp it stole her
breath away.
“Annie…” Gregory’s voice was thick and hoarse. When he saw the pain etched across her face, his chest clenched tight.
Still, he swallowed back the sobs and the anguish rising deep in his throat. With a hoarse voice, he asked, “What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”
Anathea exhaled and let out a bitter laugh. “I’m just a nobody. Why would I trouble the head of the Sinclair family for a meal?” She felt Gregory’s hand stiffen, but inside, she felt no satisfaction at mocking him.
“Get out. I don’t want to see you or have anything to do with you.”
Her voice was cold and distant.
Gregory’s eyes darkened with pain. He withdrew his hand from her belly and covered her with the blanket. Yet he didn’t move to get up. “Have some soup. It’s good for your stomach.”
Anathea took a deep breath and suddenly pushed herself up. “If you’re not leaving, then I will.”
“Annie!” Panic flashed in Gregory’s eyes. He grabbed her shoulder to stop her. “The doctor said vou need to be on bed rest!” “But I can’t rest when I’m breathing the same air as you!” Anathea shouted, tears stinging her eyes.
Gregory’s breath caught. His grip on her shoulder tightened. Half his face was hidden in shadows. His voice was rough and trembling as he asked, “You really don’t want to see me?”
“Yes.”
She met his gaze head–on, but there was no trace of him in her eyes–only darkness. The once clear, bright spark in her eyes had faded, replaced by a lifeless gray.
At that moment, all the life drained out of Gregory too. A heavy shadow threatened to swallow him whole.
Sunlight stretched his shadow longer as he walked out like a ghost. He reached the door, opened it, and stepped out.
Just as the door clicked shut, he heard a low sobbing from inside. His fingers gripped the doorknob so tightly his veins bulged like they might burst through his skin.
Louie stood outside, watching him nervously.
“Let Hannah in to see her,” Gregory said quietly.
“Okay.” Louie hurried to fetch Hannah and Chloe, who had been waiting nearby. When he returned, he caught sight of Gregory leaning against the wall, taking slow steps down the hall.
Sensing something was wrong, Louie sent Hannah and Chloe into the ward, then followed quickly behind.
Just as he rounded the corner at the end of the corridor, Gregory suddenly faltered. The taste of blood rose sharply in his throat. His strength drained, and he collapsed to the floor.
The tension he’d been holding onto snapped at last.
“Greg!”
Louie rushed over and tried to help him up, but Gregory was utterly weak. He slid down helplessly.
1/2
+25 BONUS
In the end, Louie couldn’t hold him up and immediately called for a doctor. They lifted him and rushed him to the emergency
room.
ر
At the Sinclair residence, Natalie was kneeling before Eleanor, clutching the hem of her dress. Panic was written all over her face. “Eleanor, what do we do now?”
“What do we do?” Eleanor frowned and pulled her dress free from Natalie’s grasp. “Didn’t you ever think this might happen‘ when you tried to frame Anathea?”
Natalie was speechless.
She’d planned to publicly pin the charge of assault on Anathea, but she never expected Anathea to be so ruthless. She was willing to hurt herself just to shift all the blame onto Natalie.
“You’d better pray Anathea is okay. Because if she’s not, no one can save you.” Eleanor rubbed her temple, feeling a headache coming on.
Just then, someone came back with news. “Mrs. Sinclair lost her baby.”
“What?” Natalie’s eyes flew open in shock. She stumbled and collapsed to the floor.
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