Chapter 12
“Thank God, Everhart family’s child is safe,” his mother sighed with relief.
“Yes, we must be truly blessed, mother and child,” Marla smiled, displaying just the right amount of vulnerability.
Her belly was now nearly ten months along–she could give birth at any moment. And Elara’s accident had happened at precisely this time, which was simply an unexpected blessing!
Without Elara, she could naturally become the lady of the Everhart household. After all, she was carrying Leander’s child–even if he didn’t love her, he would keep her in the family for the sake of the baby.
Marla caressed her belly with a smile.
Just as she was about to chat more with his mother, the front door suddenly burst open. Leander had returned.
Joy flashed in Marla’s eyes as she hurried toward him, supporting her belly: “Leander, you’re back! Yesterday when you weren’t here, I was so frightened. Thankfully the baby is fine. Look, I should give birth any day now.”
She took Leander’s hand, trying to place it on her belly, but his face was cold as frost as he yanked his hand away.
“I don’t see how you look worried at all. The doctor’s examination showed you were perfectly fine,” he said icily.
Marla froze, her smile strained: “That’s why I said thankfully the baby is okay…“.
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“Exactly, Leander. What do you mean coming home and treating Marla like this? She could give birth at any moment–she can’t handle stress. I know you’re hurting because Elara died, but Marla is pregnant. You should at least consider her feelings,” his mother defended her, making Marla’s expression brighten slightly.
Leander looked at Marla and his parents, then suddenly curved his lips in a cold smile.
“She knows exactly what she’s done!” He called to the butler: “Play this video. Let them all see this woman’s true face!”
The butler nodded, skillfully operating the living room’s large screen. Marla felt uneasy, and when she saw the surveillance footage, her face went pale.
Everything she had ever done was displayed.
All the ugliness, the false accusations, everything that should never have happened–it was all laid bare, making Marla’s face turn ashen.
“Leander, let me explain… it’s not what you think. There were reasons for everything…” she said weakly, trying to justify herself.
“In the past, I trusted you too much. I never imagined you would slander Elara so many times.” Leander watched the footage a second time, his heart aching more deeply, as if carved by knives. He couldn’t bear to think–if he was in such pain now, how much more must Elara have suffered when experiencing all this?
He stared intently at Marla: “I won’t be having a makeup wedding. Elara will be my only wife in this lifetime. As for the child in your belly, I won’t keep it either. We…”
Before he could finish, his mother interrupted disapprovingly.
“Do you know what you’re saying?! After all these years, our Everhart family finally has a child, and you don’t want it?! I’m telling you, impossible! This child must stay, and Marla must be our daughter–in–law. Elara is already dead!”
Before Marla could smile, Leander turned his cold gaze to his parents.
In the past, he’d always thought that once this was over, he could compensate Elara. As for his parents, he’d felt indebted to them too–after all, their wish for so many years had been to have a grandchild. But now, he wouldn’t forgive or compromise with anyone who had wronged Elara.
“Years ago, there was an accident. Elara was injured saving me, which damaged her womb and made her unable to conceive. All these years, I’ve oved her my life–the never ved me a child.”
After he spoke, his mother was stunned, as if she hadn’t expected this. But she quickly dismissed it.
Even so, Elara is dead now. Cherishing the present is most important. Leander, don’t say such spiteful things. We don’t need to have a makeup wedding, but the child must stay. This is the Everhart bloodline.”
Hope ignited in Marla’s eyes as she waited for his agreement.
But even before Elara’s accident, he had already compromised too many times and disappointed her too often.
This time, Leander didn’t hesitate: “Impossible. Not only will I not keep this child, I’ll make sure Marla pays the appropriate price!”
