Chapter 524 Don't Break Your Promise
Soon, a bar in Stardust Valley made the news after catching fire for unknown reasons.
Fortunately, there were no casualties, and neighboring businesses remained unharmed.
This peculiar circumstance became the focus of online discussions, with many finding it rather strange.
As for Dwayne and his associates, Elliot didn't hand them over to the police. Instead, he had Cillian take them away.
For those waiting outside the operating room, time passed agonizingly slowly.
It was the first time Elliot had seen Grant so disheveled—looking as if his soul had been ripped out, his clothes still stained with blood.
Meanwhile, after receiving Lila's call, Victoria and the others rushed to Stardust Valley.
By the time they arrived, Marlowe's surgery had already concluded.
Only Grant was in the hospital room with Marlowe.
"Kevin, how is Marlowe doing? And what about the baby?" Lila asked, having managed to corner Kevin.
"Mrs. Scott and the baby are both fine," Kevin replied. "Mrs. Scott lost a lot of blood, so she's still unconscious. The baby was premature and is currently in an incubator."
Reflecting on the agonizing hours they'd just endured, Kevin felt it had all been worth it.
Lila and Victoria both sighed with relief upon hearing the news.
They had been anxious throughout the entire journey.
"Mr. Scott isn't allowing anyone to disturb Mrs. Scott right now," Kevin added. "He's been by her side since she came out of surgery—hasn't left for a moment."
Victoria peered through the glass door, watching Grant sitting by the hospital bed, his eyes fixed intently on Marlowe.
Those eyes seemed devoid of hope—it was the first time Victoria had ever seen Grant like this.
"Don't tell me he hasn't even seen the baby yet?" Victoria asked.
Kevin shook his head.
"Lila, let's go see the baby then."
"Alright."
Elliot was with the baby. He had arranged for Cillian to take Finnegan and Katerina home.
The elderly couple didn't need to stay at the hospital, especially now that Marlowe and the baby were out of danger.
Victoria and Lila weren't surprised to see Elliot there, as Marlowe had already told them everything that had happened over the past few days.
They gazed at the tiny, wrinkled infant in the incubator, finding the sight both strange and miraculous.
Lila was afraid to touch the baby, worried she might somehow break her.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Lila asked while staring at the infant.
A nurse standing nearby answered, "It's a girl."
Lila continued to stare into the incubator before blurting out, "Why is the baby so ugly? She didn't inherit any of her parents' good looks."
Everyone else remained silent.
The baby, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly began to move her arms and legs, as if protesting.
"Stop saying things like that," Victoria sighed. "She was just born—she hasn't grown into her features yet."
The nurse nodded in agreement. "Yes, most newborns look like this."
Marlowe regained consciousness that evening.
As soon as she opened her eyes, Lila and Victoria jumped to their feet.
"Marlowe, you're awake! Thank goodness," Lila exclaimed.
Marlowe looked pale and weak, and her abdomen was still in pain.
"Marlowe, don't worry. The baby is fine—she's in an incubator," Lila quickly assured her.
Victoria nodded. "The baby is doing well. It's a girl. Because she was premature, she needs to stay in the incubator for now, but the doctors say everything else is fine."
Marlowe's first concern upon waking had indeed been her child. Hearing their reassurances put her mind at ease.
"By the way, Grant has been watching over you for most of the day," Lila added, trying to put in a good word for him. "The doctor just called him out, but he should be back soon."
Marlowe actually knew Grant had been there the whole time.
Whether on the way to the hospital or in the hospital room.
He had been constantly whispering to her.
He probably said more words in those hours than he had in half his lifetime.
"Where are my parents?" Marlowe asked softly after a moment.
"Mr. Rivera is at home with Mrs. Rivera," Victoria explained. "Don't worry, they're fine. They left after you were out of danger. It would have been uncomfortable for them to keep waiting here, so Elliot sent them home."
The hospital's facilities were limited, and the environment wasn't particularly comfortable.
It wasn't suitable for Finnegan and Katerina to stay for too long.
Grant had gone out to discuss transferring Marlowe to another hospital.
Upon learning she was awake, he immediately returned.
The doctor examined her thoroughly. "Mr. Scott, you can rest assured. Now that Mrs. Scott is awake, she's past the worst. However, her body is very weak and will need time to recover."
"Thank you," Grant replied.
His expression of gratitude startled everyone.
Lila tugged at Victoria's hand and whispered, "Dear, I think that's the first time I've ever heard Grant say 'thank you.'"
Victoria remained silent.
Shortly after waking up, Marlowe fell asleep again.
"Grant, since Marlowe is out of danger, we'll be heading back now," Victoria said.
"Fine," Grant replied without looking up.
Before leaving, Lila added, "Grant, haven't you seen the baby yet? Don't you want to go look?"
But Grant responded, "She said the child isn't mine."
Lila fell silent.
Victoria said nothing.
Neither of them knew about Marlowe's plan.
"Who told you it's not yours?" Lila finally said. "Marlowe hasn't been with any other man besides you. She hid her pregnancy and wanted a divorce because you once said you didn't want her to have your child. She was afraid you'd make her terminate the pregnancy if she told you."
Lila looked at Grant, unable to contain her frustration. "If you hadn't hurt Marlowe so deeply, she wouldn't have felt the need to hide from you, and today's incident might never have happened."
Victoria tried to stop her, but Lila spoke too quickly.
Grant's expression immediately darkened.
He was angry, but not at Lila—at himself.
He hadn't realized he had said such hurtful things in the past.
"Grant, we're leaving now," Victoria said, quickly pulling Lila away before she could say anything more.
Lila wasn't one to hold back her opinions, regardless of who she was talking to.
The next day.
Rihegde Cleveland Clinic.
Marlowe and the baby were transferred there in the morning.
Finnegan and Katerina were also brought over.
While Katerina was inside with Marlowe, Grant stepped out.
"Mr. Scott, here's a paternity test report," Kevin said, handing over a manila envelope.
Grant frowned, giving him a look that clearly asked, "What's this about?"
He hadn't asked Kevin to arrange any paternity test.
As far as he was concerned, regardless of whose child it was, he wouldn't let Marlowe go, nor would he reject the baby.
Kevin cleared his throat. "This is from Mr. Sullivan. He asked me to give it to you."
Grant took the envelope and opened it.
Inside were two reports: one confirming a biological relationship, and another showing no blood relation.
Kevin then added, "Mr. Scott, Mr. Sullivan also asked me to pass along a message."
"He said, 'Since you've made your choice, don't go back on your word. Otherwise, next time, he won't let go.'"
Having delivered the message, Kevin promptly fell silent.
On the sixth day, Marlowe finally got to see her baby.
Seated in a wheelchair, she was pushed by Grant to the baby's room.
During these days, he had been the one taking care of her.
No matter how uncomfortable she felt about it, she couldn't refuse his help.
This was her first time seeing her baby, and the feeling was indescribable.
Seeing her daughter lying in the incubator, moving her arms and legs excitedly, she looked so happy.
The nurse smiled and said, "The baby probably senses her mother is here—it's like they have a special connection. She's actually been very well-behaved, hardly crying at all, except when she's hungry."
Marlowe looked at the nurse and asked, "May I touch her?"
"Of course."
With permission granted, Marlowe carefully reached into the incubator. Before she could even make contact, the baby grabbed her finger.
In that moment, Marlowe felt a surge of joy, realizing that all her suffering had been worth it.
Her face radiated happiness as she gazed at her baby. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Mommy's only coming to see you now."
Grant stood nearby, watching her interact with the child, feeling something stir within him.
It had been a long time since he'd seen her smile like that.
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