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16
Unknown to me, Liam’s parents kept Chloe under strict surveillance. From the moment she was released and brought to the Sterling estate, she was under 24–hour watch, even her prenatal checkups were conducted at a military hospital. They weren’t worried about her escaping; the Sterling family’s influence extended throughout the city.
They chose a different hospital to avoid Liam, knowing his aversion to Chloe. If he knew Chloe was being cared for, the pregnancy wouldn’t
last.
Chloe had no intention of escaping. She understood her current value: the unborn child. A healthy baby secured her future. She obeyed the Sterlings, even suppressing her temper around the staff.
Everyone
thought
the secret
was
safe.
But the
Sterlings
overlooked
one
person–Liam’s
butler.
He’d gone to the estate to collect Liam’s laundry and witnessed the scene, seeing Mrs. Sterling silencing the staff. Without taking the clothes, he quietly left.
At the hospital, Liam, having woken up, noted the butler’s hesitation.
“What’s wrong at home?”
Liam’s personality had changed since my departure. The butler blurted out the news about Chloe’s confinement. To protect Mrs. Sterling had forbidden anyone from telling Liam.
the pregnancy,
The butler watched anxiously, expecting an outburst. Surprisingly, Liam merely waved him away. Once the butler left, Liam tossed an orange aside and stared at the ceiling.
If things had been different, he might have had a child with me. A boy who looked like him, a girl who resembled me. Their faces would have reflected our love.
He pressed his hands to his face, a bitter laugh escaping him. But things had gone wrong. He didn’t even know where I was. How could they possibly have a child?
A nurse, changing his bandages, suggested he find someone to care for him. She mentioned a patient downstairs whose husband and niece were providing constant support. The niece had flown in from overseas, hired help, and never left her aunt’s side. The nurse described my appearance, adding that a woman so caring and devoted was likely married already.
She
spoke earnestly,
unaware
that Liam’s
hand had clenched.
After
long a
he silence,
asked,
“Do you know that niece’s last name?”
The nurse hesitated.
“I think… Winters? I’m not sure.”
She left. The moment the door closed, Liam was out of bed, rushing out of the room.
As he approached his aunt’s room, excitement surged within him!
It was me! It had to be!
He hadn’t initially paid attention to the nurse’s description, only focusing on the appearance of the niece. The mention of a birthmark near the eye triggered a memory – only I had such a birthmark! The mention of the last name, Winters, confirmed his suspicion. I was here, nearby!
