Chapter 267
Catherine’s confession opened a floodgate of memories she’d locked away for thirty vente. Mi remembered herself at nineteen–young, naive, and desperately in love with a classmate
He had everything: good looks, prestigious family background, excellent grades, and most importantly–he was heading abroad to study.
Wanting to keep his heart before he left, she gave herself to him completely the night before his departure. She’d surrendered her virginity, believing it would bind him to her forever.
Six months later, Catherine noticed her belly growing larger by the day, like a balloon being steadily inflated. Her mother had eventually noticed the changes in her body and confronted her directly
“Are you pregnant?” her mother had demanded, eyes narrowed with suspicion.
At first, Catherine couldn’t bring herself to ad
her foolish mistake was laid bare for all to see.
the truth. But when her family brought in a doctor,
“Family disgrace must never become public knowled
decades later.
Her mother’s words still echoed in her ears
with Richard having agreed to marry her. If
Catherine’s older sister was already pregnant at the time, Catherine’s scandal became known, her sister’s marriage into the prestigious Harding family would be jeopardized–an unacceptable loss for the family.
Her mother’s decision had been swift and merciless: Catherine would take a six–month break from school, remain confined at home, and terminate the pregnancy.
But Catherine’s body had been too weak. The abortion posed extreme risks, and no doctor would
perform the procedure.
After careful consideration, her mother decided Catherine would carry the child to term, give birth, and immediately give the baby away. For the rest of her life, she would pretend this child had never
existed.
After Isabella was born, Catherine hadn’t even been allowed to look at her baby before her mother took the infant away. Only Catherine’s parents and Catherine herself knew about this; the outside world remained completely unaware.
After giving birth, Catherine quickly regained her figure. She returned to school, resuming her routine as though nothing had happened.
Now, looking back on that old relationship as a mother herself, she felt no regret. Under those circumstances, that had been the best possible outcome.
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Isabella’s tears suddenly stopped. As she regained her comporurt, a bright ini
face one that didn’t reach her eyes.
So it turns out Mrs. Harding is actually my birth mother! Her voice dripped with false
“My dear mother, Isabella continued, her tone hardening, “I’ll leave Sophia and Henry’s divorce in your capable hands. If they don’t divorce…” Her smile widened, turning predatory, I’ll fell the wor that you’re my mother!”
She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a threatening whisper. “When that happens, do you think Richard will still want you? Do you think you can keep this scandal buried?*
Bitterness consumed Isabella. Why should she have suffered for thirty years while her mother lived a life of luxury? She had endured every imaginable hardship yet still failed to secure the position of Mrs. Harding. Why should Catherine have what was rightfully hers?
Catherine stood frozen in shock. “Isabella, you can’t do this to me. I’m your mother!”
VOLL dare ally
Isabella’s cold laugh cut through the room. “You dare call yourself my mother? What kind of mother abandons her child?”
“Let me be clear,” Isabella continued, her voice icy. “I’m only interested in becoming Mrs. Harding- nothing else can compensate for what I’ve lost. If you feel even the slightest guilt toward me, get rid of Sophia!”
Catherine remained rooted to the spot, watching Isabella’s retreating back. She shook her head
repeatedly. “Have you lost your mind?”
Her only answer was the sound of wind whistling through the empty room.
Today was the day Harper would leave the ICU. I had specifically arranged to swap shifts with a colleague so I could be there for the elderly woman. Following her surgery, Harper’s condition had improved significantly. Though her eyes still couldn’t see, she had visibly gained weight, her formerly skeletal frame now looking much healthier.
I supported her carefully as we left the ICU, heading toward a regular hospital room.
“Mrs. Davis, how are you feeling now? Are you still in pain?” I asked gently.
Harper gripped my hand tightly, her aged face wreathed in smiles. “Ah, Sophia dear, I’m much better now. This time I owe it all to you. I need to thank you properly.”
“Why isn’t Ava here? Is she out with those good–for–nothing friends again?” Harper asked suddenly.
At the mention of Ava, I wasn’t sure how to respond to Mrs. Davis’s question. I could only offer a vague answer: “Grandma, Ava has probably gone back to school. Don’t worry about so many things.
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Chapter 267
After a few more days of recovery, you’ll be discharged. Right now, the most important thing is to avoid stress, understand?”
Harper patted my hand, her face crinkling with laughter. “You’re trying to comfort me again, aren’t you? I know what that girl is like! I’ve been in the ICU all this time, and she hasn’t visited once. She must be hanging around with those troublemakers again.”
“Never mind, let’s not talk about her,” Harper continued. “I want to ask you, has Sam called you recently?”
At the mention of Sam, I fell silent.
I didn’t understand why, after all this time, the mere mention of his name still caused me such intense pain.
Like a knife twisting in my heart.
Just as I was preparing to fabricate an excuse to satisfy Mrs. Davis, Ava’s voice cut through the air from behind us.
“Grandma, wake up! My brother has been dead for years–and Sophia is the one who killed him!”
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