The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 20

Even after all the hurtful things he had done before, seeing him vulnerable like this still tugged at my heartstrings.

I crouched down in front of him. "What's wrong?"

Nigel looked at me intensely. "Luna said you're pregnant. She mentioned that even if Dad doesn't like you much, he'd stick around for the baby, right?"

My heart skipped a beat. Why would Luna discuss such things with Nigel?

While I hesitated on how to explain this to Nigel, he suddenly spoke up again. "She also mentioned that I must have really upset you with my actions before. And once the new baby arrives, you'd shift all your attention to them and wouldn't love me anymore." Had the thought of my pregnancy made him ponder over all this alone?

My heart melted instantly.

He was still a child, unequipped to seek help from adults in times of trouble.

I placed my hands on his shoulders, speaking earnestly. "That's not true, Nigel. You are my child. Whether I have other children or not doesn't matter. I will love you just the same."

"Luna also said..." Nigel suddenly broke into a smile, "If this baby was gone, Dad would only love me, follow my wishes, divorce you, and then marry Luna."

His words sent shivers down my spine.

How could Luna feed such nonsense to a child?

I thought about taking him back into the room to have a heart-to-heart talk.

Such adult complexities shouldn't involve a child.

But before I could move forward, my body uncontrollably slipped backward...

"Thud!"

Along with the loud crash, Nigel apologized. "Mom, I'm sorry. Luna spilled oil on the stairs. She said all I had to do was call you over..." Warm blood flowed...

The intense pain was almost unbearable, and my heart felt like it was being torn apart...

My head spun violently...

Nigel!

Even though his actions had become increasingly intolerable, I empathized with him being a child and never held grudges!

But...even at a young age, he should have some conscience!

Yet, he was indifferent to his mother being schemed against.

I desperately tried to open my eyes wide to see Nigel.

His blurry figure, however, scampered away from the corridor.

I screamed with all my might. "Help! Someone, please help me..."

But the pain made it nearly impossible to make a sound...

Sweat rolled down, mixing with the increasingly pooling blood...

Tears fell.

Nigel... Nigel!

...

"Honey..." Leander's eyes were bloodshot. The normally strong and independent man trembled as he spoke. "The baby... didn't make it."

"Mom, I was wrong..." Nigel, looking petrified. With a pale face and large tears streaming down, he pleaded, "Please forgive me." But how could I forgive him?

The moment he lured me to the staircase.

The moment he coldly ran away...

I had completely lost heart in him.

Nigel kept apologizing.

I still remained silent.

Nigel, perhaps not expecting my prolonged silence, got angry, "If you won't forgive me, fine, I don't want you as my mom anyway."

I looked up at Nigel, my voice hoarse and dry. "Nigel, haven't you always wanted Luna to be your mom?"

Confused about why I'd say that, he nodded blankly.

"Alright then." I suddenly smiled, "From today onwards, I'll step back from being your mother. From now on, I'm no longer your mom. Whoever you like can take that role." Nigel's eyes sparkled with intense joy.

Beside me, Leander, alarmed by my words, had a bad feeling. "Honey, don't be hasty."

"Don't worry, I'm very calm," I said, my heart as still as stagnant water, devoid of any ripples.

I closed my eyes. "Leander, let's put an end to this drama. I wish you well. Now, please, let me go."