Chapter 8
Stephen met Layla’s gaze with a deep stare and answered for her. “You won’t believe me. Because in your world, everyone is good, and only tam bad.”
Layla felt a flare of imitation rise within her. She pressed her lips together and admitted, “That’s right. I don’t believe what you say. Everyone is good in this world, except for you.”
Having said this, she stubbomly turned away from Stephen and refused to look at him,
On the way home, they ignored each other. The car ride was quiet.
stephen could sense that Layla had a lot of questions for him, but her pride prevented her from asking. When they arrived home, she slammed the car door in anger
as she got out
At home, Layla vented her frustration and then went to bed. Meanwhile, Stephen left after dropping her ofl.
He returned home in the evening. Upon entering their bedroom, he found Layla propped up on her elbow. She was idly playing on her phone under the covers.
He chose to ignore her
Stephen was the only one capable of managing Layla’s every bit of arrogance. The more she refused to admit defeat, the more Stephen pressed her to concede.
“Stephen.”
(“yeah?” Stephen stopped and looked at the woman in a red silkcrobe sitting on the bed.
Layla sat up and asked, “Whose child is Dylan?‘
Stephen was still busy with his task. He simply replied, “I don’t know,”
“Is he really not yours?” Layla was still somewhat skeptical
stephen met her probing gaze. “Why don’t you have a child with me and with looks like me?”
Layla immediately waved her hand and shook her head, “No way. I’m not talding such a risky step,”
“But whose child is he really?” She was curious. “Why did you accompany Lucy to the on–GYN?”
Stephen knew exactly what kind of temperament she had. If she didn’t hear what she wanted, she would simply deny it was true.
Thinking about their unpleasant counter earlier in the day, Layla sulled and declared, “I’ll believe whatever you say, okay?
“Five years ago, the director of the orphanage, Madam Thome, was supposed to accompany Lucy but couldn’t make it. Madam Thome knew that being pregnant out of wedlock wasn’t ideal, so she asked me privately to accompany Lucy to a prenatal checkup.
“Lucy has congenital heart disease and isn’t suited for having children. Yet, she secretly got pregnant and discovered during pregnancy checkups that Dylan had also inherited her condition.
“At that time, she was distraught and had no one to turn to. She informed Madam Thome, who then told me. I don’t know how you found out, but why didn’t you confront me directly? Instead, you held onto this misunderstanding for five years.”
Layla felt guilty as she remembered their past. She had misunderstood him for so long.
“So, does Dylan have a congenital illness?” she asked with concem.
She thought about the lively little boy who seemed so healthy,
Stephen nodded. “Yes. The prenatal checkup revealed it, but I had no right to interfere with his birth. In the end, Lucy took the risk and had him.”
Layla didn’t understand. “Why? If the child is unhealthy, why bring him into this world to suffer? Did Dylan’s biological father never show up?
Stephen sat at the edge of the bed. “No. The expenses for Lucy and Dylan over the years have mostly been covered by our family. Even Grandpa knows about their
It was the kind–hearted Robert who had taken the initiative to offer support.
Layla felt less resistance now. For some reason, hearing that Stephen had no connection with Lucy and Dylan made her feel a lot more at ease. “If we didn’t help them, they wouldn’t have managed ”
Stephen smiled faintly and asked, “Is there anything else you want to know?”
After some hesitation, Layla asked, “Why did Lucy say I’m someone they emy?!”
Stephen looked at her curious face and hesitated to speak After a moment of silence, he said, “Probably because there are many people who love you in this
world.”
Layla pouted. “Well, I think so too, Grandpa loves me the most.”
Stephen smiled, and Layla looked at him intently
In fact, he had always been hot, and she had liked him during their school days.
He was someone many girls had a secret crush on, but he was aloof and indifferent to everyone. He would throw the love letters they sent him straight into the Trash in front of them.
Later, because of him, Layla had many friends who wanted to meet Stephen through her. Some even sent him love letters through her.
At that time, she lived in Stephen’s shadow, Even though she was the late princess of the Murray family, it felt like she was just a stepping stone for others to worship Stephr
As Stephen grew up, he joined Murray up and rose through the ranks from the bottom to become the CEO of the compame
GOODIEF HI
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Others envied Layla for having such an impressive brother, but she was always wary of his ambition and his desire for her family’s fortune.
Looking at the young lady lost in thought, Stephen stepped forward and tapped her forehead gently. “You’re daydreaming again.”
“How many times do I have to tell you? Don’t tap my forehead! I won’t grow if you keep doing that!” Layla smacked his hand away while exclaiming loudly.
After a chuckle, Stephen went to the closet to get his pajamas and then headed to the bathroom.
On Friday, Layla unexpectedly accompanied Stephen to the hospital again. She explained, “I’m here because I felt guilty about misunderstanding Lucy. It’s not because I knew about her surgery and decided to accompany her.”
Stephen looked at the woman who was clearly giving herself away and smiled as he spoke. “Okay, I didn’t say anything.”
Layla proudly slipped on her sunglasses and turned her back to Stephen to hide her diffidence
At the hospital, before the surgery started, Lucy began to make her final requests.
“Stephen, Layla, if anything happens to me during the surgery, can you take care of Dylan? I’ve talked to him a lot these past few days. He’s a good boy and will be content as long as he has food and drink”
Stephen was displeased, and Layla spoke sharply, “Don’t you know the situation with your own son? Why make things difficult for me and Steph? It’s just a small operation. Is it really necessary to act as if you might die?
“You gathered so much courage to have him. Now rather the courage to recover. If something happens to you, Dylan will end up in the orphanage. I don’t have the goodwill to take on a child I have no connection with. I’m not even a mother myself!”
Stephen Intervened, “Layla doesn’t mean any harm. She just speaks harshly. But if you brought Dylan into the world, you need to
to be responsible for him.
The doctors performing the surgery are all experts, and the success rate is high. Lucy, be a good example for Dylan. He will need to face this illness in the future
Lucy looked at Dylan, and her heart ached. “I will. I need to take care of Dylan.”
Before Lucy was pushed into the operating room, Layla, who didn’t know how to hold a child, awkwardly dragged Dylan to the bedside to watch Lucy.
“See? This is your son. If you don’t take care of him, no one else will love him.”
neelser
Although Layla’s words were harsh, Lucy felt the kindness behind them. “Thank you, Layla. Please take care of Dylan with Stephen in the next few days.”
With that, Lucy was wheeled into the operating room.
Layla let go of Dylan, and Stephen said with a smile, “It’s been seven years since 1 last heard you call me Steph.”
Layla looled puzzled “Did I call you that just now?
Dylan honestly piped up. “You did, Aunt Layla”
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