Holly nodded with a smile. "Sure. You don't need to mind me." She said goodbye to Sherry before getting in the car and leaving the Gabelman residence. When they passed by a 24-hour pharmacy, she told the driver to stop the car, and she went to buy a box of emergency birth control pills. She had had sex with Bryce the previous night, and she hadn't taken any precautions despite being in the ovulation stage.This wasn't the right time to have a child with Bryce, for he hadn't made his decision yet. They might end up getting a divorce at some point later in time. She had never gotten any paternal love before when she was a child. She knew the feeling of lacking it well, and she didn't want her children to have the same experience. After returning home, Holly removed one pill and took it with warm water as per instructed on the manual. The other pill was to be taken 12 hours later, so she left the pill box on the cabinet beside the water dispenser. She went up for a simple showe

When Bryce had been wheelchair-bound and low in spirits, Holly wished every day that he would eventually stand up again. But now that it had happened, Janice and Arthur found her unworthy to be with him. Those people who called themselves the upper crust of society really did value benefits over relationships—over everything, actually. After Bryce was wiped dry, he put on his nightgown. Holly used her right hand to tie the sash on his waist while Bryce used his left. They held one end of the sash at the same time and managed to tie a knot on Bryce's waist with their joint efforts—they had worked together swimmingly.Bryce had a small smile on his face. "What should we call what we have?"Holly thought about it before turning to look at him, her eyes crescent moons as she smiled. "Being there for each other through thick and thin?"Bryce seemed to have thought back to something as he replied only after a beat, "Yes, thick and thin."He looked down and met her gaze, asking, "If

"I brushed my teeth last night." Holly jostled him lightly with her shoulder and said cutely, "Brush your teeth, please?"Bryce gripped her shoulder with a smile. "You're a bit different compared to before.""How so?""You've learned how to act cutely now, and you've become a bit more talkative."Holly laughed. "Don't all men like women who act cutely?"Bryce smiled. "That's true."He let her go and entered the bathroom, Holly after him. His right hand was injured, which made it difficult for him to squeeze toothpaste on his toothbrush, so Holly did it for him. Bryce picked up his toothbrush with his left hand and started brushing. Maybe humans tended to be more emotional at night, but Holly started feeling a bit sad when she remembered that she wouldn't have many more days left with him. Unable to control herself, she looped her arms around his waist from behind and burrowed her head into the expanse of his back. She said nothing, but she couldn't bear to part with him

Holly returned to Winona's ward. Priscilla noticed she looked very pale, so she asked worriedly, "What happened, Holly? Why do you look so pale?"Holly shook her head. She walked over to Winona's bed and sat down beside it. Then, she held Winona's hand and chatted with her, a smile on her face.Priscilla had a hot temper. Holly and Winona had only chatted with each other for a short time when Priscilla rushed forward and grabbed Holly's wrist. "We're going out there."When they were out in the corridor, she looked into Holly's eyes. "Did Bryce mistreat you again?""No.""Who made you sad, then? I'm your mother! Who else will you talk to when you feel upset if not me?" Priscilla was a bit anxious. Holly said calmly, "Arthur talked to me.""Did Arthur give you a hard time?""He wants us to divorce."Priscilla sneered. "Why didn't he force you to do that when Bryce was wheelchair-bound? Now that Bryce can walk, he's forcing you to divorce him! How heartless! "He took advantage

Holly's heart skipped a beat. She didn't expect Bryce to figure it out so quickly. She thought back to Arthur's request that she keep their meeting a secret from him, in fear that this would ruin the relationship between the father and son. So, feigning nonchalance, she said, "You proposed a divorce long ago, and I told you I can't stand Samantha."Bryce rubbed her back in small motions. "That's a lie. I've been doing all I can to distance myself from her recently."The corners of Holly's lips lifted up, but there was no joy in her eyes. She said blandly, "The two of you have been friends since childhood, and your families are of similar social status, while I'm just a nanny you hired. Now that you can walk again, it's time for the nanny to leave."Her self-deprecating words made Bryce's heart sink. His arms tightened around her. He was usually cold and stony-faced, but now his words were so gentle. "I've never seen you as a nanny. Really. You're my wife, in name and in deed, an