Three years ago, Joyce had an accident. The Michaels family suppressed any details about it to prevent reporters and journalists from spreading the news. Jean had always been invisible in the Michaels family's circle of friends. Nobody seemed to notice when she disappeared. Simone went to their home several times to meet Jean. However, she was always sent away. The excuse? Jean was furthering her studies overseas. They also told her that Jean had a better future waiting for her. They warned her to leave Jean alone. Simone assumed Jean had left her for good to prove she was leading a better life. Still, Simone never expected to see Jean after three years. She was even surprised to find out that Jean was living as Joyce. "So, you chose to take the place of your sister and marry Tyler for the sake of your parents?" Simone concluded, flabbergasted now that she finished digesting this piece of information. Jean bit her lip. She didn't have it in her to meet Simone's gaze. Frankl
Simone stared at Jean with gloomy eyes, but Jean met her gaze with determination. Eventually, Simone frowned and said, "Let's go to my house first." Her voice sounded rough. "My mom's home today. Let's hear what she has to say." Jean was very grateful as she thanked her, "Thank you, Simone." Despite not keeping in touch all these years, she believed Simone still saw her as a friend. Simone knew just how complicated Jean's family was. She didn't have the right to judge her for it. They were once good friends, after all. However, the fact that Jean didn't tell Simone immediately when she went through all that upset her. "If you ever find yourself in trouble, I hope you won't ever repeat your mistake of not telling me about it," she warned Jean. After they lost contact, Simone took a long time to adjust to losing her friend. Needless to say, Emmett felt way worse. Simone's words moved Jean, and she could only nod in response. …The Walker Residence.Bertha Mora, also know
Seeing her resolve, Simone knew how desperate Jean was to escape her predicament. "Mom, it's urgent." Bertha had been in this line of work for a long time. She had seen many who didn't want to keep their child. Usually, all sorts of excuses were given, so she didn't prod Jean for her reason. Still, she liked this young woman a lot back then. She had even wished that Emmett and her would get together. It was rather upsetting for her to know that Jean wanted to get an abortion. She said, "Okay. Come to my hospital in the afternoon for an examination." She sighed and stood up from the couch, distancing herself from Jean. "If there's no problem after it, we can settle things in half an hour." Jean could see the look on Bertha's face. The woman was quite unhappy. Jean pursed her lips. She knew Bertha might have gotten the impression of her being irresponsible and uncaring.Bertha had lost any good feelings she had for her. However, now that things had happened, Jean didn't know h
Jean lay on the icy surgery table in the operating room. Bertha had already changed into a surgical gown. The nurse beside her was busy with a needle. Jean watched with her eyes wide open as the nurse walked over to her. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Hold on." Bertha heard her and shot the nurse a sidelong glance. It made the nurse stop what she was doing. Jean sat up on the operating table and looked at Bertha awkwardly. "Mrs. Walker, I'm sorry, but I need to calm down for a bit. I …" Bertha looked back at her in understanding. "Your condition is different from others, after all. It's only natural that you need more time to consider this." At last, Jean didn't go through with the abortion. When she left the operating room, Simone came to meet her. She immediately noticed how pale Jean looked. Simone sighed. She softened her voice and said, "If you really can't do it, just give birth to your child. I'll help you raise it." Jean was so touched by Simone's words that she
Tyler frowned and shot Jean a cold glance. Then, he said in a mocking tone, "It seems like you know your place and worth quite well. Your job is only to donate blood to Lilian." Jean bit her lip lightly and looked at him, feeling aggrieved. Even so, she quickly suppressed her indignation and went upstairs. A little while later, Tyler followed and entered the bedroom too.When Jean exited the bathroom and saw Tyler in the bedroom, her expression changed a little. Tyler glanced at her indifferently and walked past her into the bathroom. She stood in the doorway with a solemn expression, silent.After washing his hands, Tyler glanced at the dustbin in the corner. He wiped his hands with a tissue and stepped on the dustbin pedal to open it, then threw the tissue inside. "Are you on your period?" he asked. Jean took a deep breath. She knew that Tyler had seen the proof she had placed in the dustbin. She nodded. Her period was mostly on time, so Tyler shouldn't suspect anything.
When she spoke to Jean, Coleen's tone was exceptionally stern. It was nothing like the kind and gentle tone she used with Esme. However, Jean had long since gotten used to Coleen's attitude. She walked over with a smile and sat down on the couch. "I haven't been feeling well these days, so I slept in," said Jean.Coleen's expression darkened when she saw how unaffected Jean was by her scolding. When she was about to say something, Esme spoke up softly. "Ms. Michaels should indeed rest more." Jean was a little surprised. She didn't understand why Esme would speak up for her. After all, Esme should be very happy to see her losing face in front of Coleen.Coleen narrowed her eyes and fixed her gaze on Jean. "You've always been healthy. Why are you not feeling well all of a sudden?" Jean collected herself and saw Esme take a sip of tea with a look of amusement and satisfaction. She didn't know what tricks Esme had up her sleeve, so she kept quiet.As if something had triggered her
Jean sat on the couch and watched Esme and Coleen leave with a cold gaze. Layla came downstairs holding a bag of garbage. When she saw Jean sitting alone on the sofa, she said nothing and walked by with her head down. Jean got up after a few seconds and walked out too. Mr. Anders had just hung up the phone after informing Tyler about what happened when he saw Jean drive out of the garage.Coleen arrived at Boyden Hospital in a rush wearing a dark expression. Esme was beside her warily persuading her with an innocent look. "Aunt Coleen, I know you're angry, but my sister is in critical condition. That's why Tyler came up with this plan."Coleen's expression grew colder as she said grimly, "Esme, you're too kind. That's why you got deceived by Lilian's facade. Lilian and her mistress of a mother are no angels." Lilian's mother had planned for Lilian to marry a Larson from the very beginning. That was how she knew Tyler's preferences so well. Lilian's mother wanted her daughte
The elevator doors closed, and Jean ended up not walking out at all. Tyler stared at her until the doors shut, but his expression did not change in the least. Seeing that he was staring at the elevator, Coleen turned around to look at the closed elevator doors with a frigid expression."Joyce is not worthy of you regardless of her identity or status! If you want to take care of Lilian, then you should at least do one thing that pleases me!" said Coleen. If Joyce got pregnant during this time, the situation would become more difficult. That was why Coleen hoped that Tyler would divorce "Joyce" as soon as possible.Tyler frowned. His resolution faltered when he saw Jean's red-rimmed eyes. Meanwhile, Esme stood beside them timidly. She was afraid that Tyler would suspect her of playing tricks if she said even a single word.When Tyler did not answer as quickly as he had earlier, Coleen said coldly, "I'll ask the lawyer to draft the divorce agreement as soon as possible." She gl