Her 18th Pregnancy, My Final Departure

I leaned weakly against the wall, the blood in my body going cold.

The sounds inside the room still hadn't stopped. The low whispers had turned into intimate gasps.

"Talia, I'll make it up to you and the baby. I'll never let you suffer again."

"Be gentler. I'm pregnant, you know."

Every laugh from Talia stabbed into my chest like a blade.

For the past seven years, I'd watched her sink into grief every time she lost a child. I'd always thought it was my fault.

So when she suggested borrowing sperm from Evan Cole, I gritted my teeth and accepted it.

But I never imagined she'd personally aborted those seventeen children so she could run away with Evan.

With trembling hands, I sent the recording I'd just made to Talia's mother, Eleanor Isaacson.

Before long, Mrs. Isaacson rushed over from home. The moment she heard the sounds coming from inside the room, her face went livid.

Before I could stop her, she pushed the door open.

Talia and Evan scrambled out of bed in panic.

"Mom, why... why are you here?"

A sharp slap echoed through the hallway.

The passing servants all lowered their heads.

Mrs. Isaacson was so furious she beat her chest, then played the recording I'd sent her at full volume.

"How could you do that to your own children? Those babies were Isaacson blood!"

Only then did Talia react, clutching her swollen cheek.

She turned and glared at me viciously.

"Gavin, are you finished? Now you've learned to eavesdrop outside doors?"

I stayed silent. Since the truth was already exposed, Talia clearly had no intention of pretending anymore.

She pushed her heavily swollen belly forward and pulled out a prenatal report.

"Mom, I don't care what any of you think. I'm giving birth to this child, because I can't ever get pregnant again after this!

"This child will be the Isaacson family's last child."

Eleanor swayed on her feet. I held her up before she could collapse.

The report stated that Talia had miscarried and undergone abortions too many times. If she couldn't keep this child, she'd never be able to conceive again.

Evan, who was standing beside Talia, held her waist with a pained expression.

Then he turned and began threatening Mrs. Isaacson.

"Seven years ago, you wouldn't let Talia and me be together. But now she's carrying my child. The Isaacson family has only this grandson. I won't let you hurt Talia!"

Mrs. Isaacson's chest heaved violently. In the end, she closed her eyes and turned to look at me.