جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 60

“Lily, are you out of your mind?!”Abigail couldn’t stop herself from raising her voice. She genuinely couldn’t understand her friend’s line of thinking. Had Lily actually been in her right mind when she said that, or was she under the influence of alcohol?Suggesting that they pursue the pregnancy the conventional way? Wasn’t that essentially asking Abigail to sell herself?“No, Abby, I’m not crazy! I’m just… desperate,” Lily defended herself hoarsely.“No matter how desperate you are, you have no right to say something so degrading, Lily! What do you think I am? A prostitute?” Abigail snapped, her chest heaving with anger. “Even becoming a surrogate through a medical procedure like this already makes me feel as though I’ve lost my dignity as a human being! How could you possibly expect me to sleep with him?!”“I only thought… the natural method would get you pregnant much faster, Abby. I’m running out of time!”“Your fear can never justify something like this, Lily!”“Abby, I’m actu

“I haven’t told him yet,” Margaret said calmly. “I want Mother to rest today. Perhaps we can have a family dinner tomorrow. I’m planning to invite the Stormborn family as well. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to see Mother here.”“Ah, yes, that’s a good idea. Is that boy here too?”“Yes. I heard Diana wants to settle down in the city as well, and Ian is looking for a house for them. I don’t know whether he’s found one yet.”After chatting warmly for a while, Margaret escorted Elizabeth to her room so she could rest. Meanwhile, Nora and Edward returned to the school to finish some work and pick up Amora.Abigail chose to head into the kitchen, where she began preparing afternoon snacks and dinner for the Harrison family.Tomorrow—if Margaret’s plan actually goes ahead—Mark and Lily will most likely come to this house.Did Lily really tell Mark about what she suggested? Abigail wondered to herself.Abigail was still confused and found Mark difficult to read. On one hand, the man could som

Chapter 50“Maggie? Nora? Are you in there?”Elizabeth’s voice came from outside, accompanied by a soft knock on the door.“Yes, Mom. We’re here,” Nora quickly replied as she hurried to open the door.“Where is everyone? I called for you, but the house suddenly became so quiet,” Elizabeth muttered, looking around in confusion.“Abby? Isn’t she in the kitchen?” Nora asked, equally puzzled.Elizabeth slowly shook her head.“Maybe she’s in the back kitchen and didn’t hear me.”Nora turned to look at Margaret. Her sister merely gave a subtle shake of her head—a silent signal that their important conversation would have to wait.There was something urgent Margaret needed to verify for herself.As soon as Nora led Elizabeth away, Margaret immediately reached into her handbag, pulled out her phone, and called someone she trusted.“Jacob, I need your help investigating something and confirming whether my suspicion is correct…”Margaret gave Jacob Smith a series of firm instructions before qui

“Darling, were you looking for me?” Lily looked surprised when she saw Mark walk into the back kitchen. A hint of nervousness immediately flickered across her face.But within seconds, the anxious expression softened, replaced by her usual gentle smile.“Yes, I was looking for you,” Mark replied curtly, his voice flat.“I just wanted to help Abby. I felt bad leaving her to handle everything by herself in here,” Lily explained sympathetically.“She’s not struggling, darling. This is her job in this house. She’s paid to serve,” Mark cut in coldly.Without wasting another second, he wrapped an arm around Lily and pulled her out of the kitchen.Those cold words left Abigail standing frozen in place. An unfamiliar, unbearable ache slowly spread through her heart.Throughout dinner, Abigail chose to remain a passive observer. She stayed out of the Harrison family’s conversations, only giving brief answers whenever someone addressed her. Her unusual silence did not escape Ian Stormborn’s not

Elizabeth burst into a light, musical laugh before casually waving her hand through the air.“Enough. Go get some rest,” she said with a soft chuckle.Abigail obediently nodded. “Should I turn off the light, Eli?”“Yes, please.”Abigail stepped out and walked down the dimly lit hallway toward her room. But after only a few steps, a strong hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.Before she could even cry out, Abigail was forcibly dragged into the nearest bathroom, shoved against the wall, and had her mouth clamped tightly shut.She jolted in shock, her eyes widening as she realized Mark was standing before her, his imposing figure casting an intimidating shadow in the dim bathroom.“Were you the one who suggested to Lily that we try to conceive the conventional way?” Mark hissed, his accusing gaze burning with anger.Abigail's entire body trembled violently. She shook her head frantically, desperately trying to deny it.When she struggled to break free, Mark's hand pressed harder against her