Chapter 449 Whose Child Is That?
Five hours later, Uma arrived at Willard's bedside, shrouded in the night.
She placed the local specialties she'd brought from Silverpeak City on the bedside table.
Willard glanced toward the doorway.
Not seeing the person he'd hoped for, he remained silent, asking nothing.
Uma spoke first, "She didn't come, but she asked me to give you a message."
Willard's lips pressed into a thin line, instinctively knowing it wouldn't be something pleasant to hear.
Seeing his silence, Uma didn't rush. She took an apple and began peeling it.
Time passed slowly.
Uma offered the peeled apple to Willard, but he refused, so she ate it herself.
After finishing the apple, she felt hungry and asked Quinton to buy her something to eat.
Willard finally spoke, "Quinton?"
Uma nodded, "Yes, your subordinate, Quinton."
Willard's eyes gradually turned cold.
But Uma smiled, "Willard, I remember when Anne was almost assaulted by those men. You had someone watching her every move, yet you didn't save her, did you?"
Willard's tall frame shuddered violently.
Uma's smile took on a hint of mockery. "It was Ernest who saved Anne in the end."
"So now you've sent Quinton to protect her? Locking the stable door after the horse has bolted—too little, too late."
Willard wanted to say something, but the mistakes of his past were vividly clear.
He had no defense.
Uma continued, "Although Quinton saved Anne this time, even without him, she would have found a solution."
"Standing by while someone suffers—that's what truly wounds a person."
Ignoring Willard's darkening expression, she delivered Anne's message.
"Anne asked me to tell you, No matter how desperately you try to grasp the sand, it will inevitably slip through your fingers."
Willard's eyes instantly reddened.
Uma was shocked to see the moisture in his eyes.
It was the first time she'd ever seen Willard cry.
But she still couldn't understand why Willard had acted as he did back then.
"Willard, can you understand how Anne felt back then? For her, you were also like sand that couldn't be held—that's why she let go. You shouldn't be so obsessed anymore."
Willard remained silent.
He gestured for Hayes to escort Uma out, then sat alone in the hospital room for a very long time.
Over the years, Anne had traveled on and off. She'd taken solo photography trips before, but none of them compared to how she felt now. This trip was, in every sense, a truly solitary journey.
With no specific agenda, she captured landscapes while sampling local delicacies and experiencing different cultures.
With no particular plans in mind, she wandered freely—capturing the scenery, sampling local delicacies, and experiencing the local culture. She recorded it all through her lens, letting go of her worries and simply enjoying the moment.
The journey lasted three months.
She visited nearly every city with distinctive character.
Her phone remained switched off throughout.
Occasionally, she'd post on Facebook to assure everyone she was safe.
After all, there were many who genuinely cared about her.
Finally, she compiled the photographs from her journey and submitted them to a competition, under the theme: Letting Go.
During those three months, Willard first recovered abroad, then returned home to continue recuperating when his condition stabilized.
No one knew what was going through his mind.
He was taciturn, speaking only when absolutely necessary.
Nia, being his mother, worried deeply about his emotional state.
Yet she couldn't bring herself to contact Anne for help.
It was an unsolvable deadlock.
Uma advised her, "Nia, stop worrying about this. Only those who tied the knot can untie it. As bystanders, we should just observe."
She passed her some strawberries. "Try these, they're sweet."
Nia gazed at the garden filled with flowers and the pear tree Anne loved so much, which was beginning to bear fruit.
In the past, no matter how busy Willard was, he would always accompany Anne to pick pears when they ripened.
As a child, Anne was mischievous, deliberately ordering Willard around.
She would pretend she couldn't hold the pears and drop them on his head.
Then offer insincere apologies.
All while taking a big bite of a pear, smacking her lips in satisfaction.
Willard never got angry, always indulging her with gentle affection.
Back then, Nia had watched with joy, secretly telling Anne's grandfather they should arrange their marriage.
But for some reason, after Anne turned eighteen, everything changed between them.
Even when they arranged their marriage later, the two couldn't return to how they once were.
The rift between them only grew wider.
Now, it seemed impossible to repair.
"I just don't understand it," Nia sighed.
"Then don't try to," Uma placed a strawberry in Nia's mouth.
Nia found it sour, "Things were so much better when they were young."
Uma made no comment.
Elissa was now visibly pregnant.
With meticulous care, Francis made sure she never missed a prenatal check-up.
Even the obstetrician praised him, envying Elissa's happiness.
After completing her check-up with no issues, Elissa left the examination room and walked toward the elevator, stealing a quick kiss from Francis.
"I'm lucky to have you!" she said softly.
Francis stroked her head.
Suddenly, Elissa needed to use the restroom.
Francis accompanied her.
After finishing, she went to wash her hands and caught a familiar profile in the mirror as a woman walked by.
She quickly stepped out, nearly slipping at the door and giving Francis a fright.
"What's the rush?" he asked.
Elissa steadied herself with his help and pointed. "Did you see that woman?"
Francis couldn't possibly have noticed any other woman.
"No, I didn't."
Elissa said, "The one who looks like Hope..."
Francis, unconcerned, asked, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
Before Elissa could answer, he lifted her up and carried her back to find the obstetrician.
Elissa wanted to protest, but coincidentally, they encountered the woman again.
She was chasing after a man with her test results.
The two disappeared into the emergency stairwell.
Elissa patted Francis's face, "I remember now. Jennifer—and that man is Christopher, Hope's ex-husband."
Francis remained indifferent to such matters and carried her into the consultation room.
The doctor was surprised to see them return and inquired about their situation.
But Elissa asked about Jennifer instead.
Francis knew the hospital director well, and the doctor was specially assigned—a renowned obstetrician.
So the doctor answered honestly, "Ms. Jennifer Grayson came to confirm her pregnancy. The results showed she's four weeks along. She was excited to share the news with the man by her side, but he didn't seem pleased."
Elissa hadn't expected this.
If Christopher was looking for a replacement, shouldn't he have found someone better?
Jennifer only resembled Hope from a side profile.
And their personalities couldn't be more different.
Christopher seemed willing to accept just about anyone.
"Thank you, doctor. I'm fine. We'll be going now."
She stood up and left with Francis.
Francis was still concerned, but she interrupted him, "I'm hungry."
Elissa added, "Really, I'm fine. I wouldn't lie about this—we agreed, no false pretenses between us."
Francis sighed with resignation, his voice tinged with affection, "You're impossible."
Elissa smiled brightly as she left the hospital with Francis.
He helped her into the car and asked what she wanted to eat.
Elissa blinked at him frantically.
He got the message—she still hadn't heard all the gossip.
Francis sent someone to inquire.
"I'll make sure you hear the juiciest news first. But right now, let's get you something good to eat."
Elissa leaned close, resting her chin on his shoulder, and kissed his strong jawline.
Francis sighed, "No junk food."
Elissa pouted, "But I really want some."
Francis couldn't stand those strong flavors.
Due to his stomach condition, there was much he couldn't eat, so he'd never developed a taste for it.
Consequently, his sense of smell was more sensitive than those regularly exposed to such strong odors.
Besides, junk food wasn't good for her or the baby.
There was no need for it.
"Nothing you say today will change my mind."
Elissa anticipated his response, "You don't have to come with me. I'll go eat by myself. I'm going to have it one way or another, or I'll be in a bad mood, and the baby will feel it too."
The doctor had mentioned today that the baby could now sense things, suggesting they talk to it more.
He hadn't expected to be making concessions for the baby's mood so soon.
In truth, he mostly wanted her to be happy.
Pregnancy was difficult enough.
"Fine, you can have it."
At a restaurant, Francis didn't let Elissa get out. He bought the food to take home.
It was crowded outside with too many people talking—she needed to be careful now.
Elissa didn't care where she ate as long as she got her food.
By the time they arrived home, Simon had also uncovered information about Christopher's situation.
Francis told him to tell Elissa directly.
"I found out that at that party, Mr. Valence brought Jennifer to meet Mrs. Hope Hammer. Afterward, he clarified things with Jennifer, but she wouldn't accept it."
"Jennifer was originally sent to him by someone named Micah from the Valence Group's partner project, but he saw through the ploy."
Elissa understood Christopher's psychology.
He still had feelings for Hope, so he brought Jennifer along on purpose, just to see if Hope would react. But it was clear what the outcome would be.
"Go on," she prompted.
Simon continued, "After the party, Mr. Valence warned Jennifer not to have any illusions and cut off contact with her. When Micah found out, he threatened Jennifer with her mother and made her go after Mr. Valence, just to get more leverage. Of course, Jennifer had her own agenda as well."
Elissa ate contentedly.
Francis gently wiped away the food stains from the corner of her mouth.
Simon thought Francis was way too good to Elissa.
Despite being unable to tolerate the smell of junk food, he remained composed by her side.
"Mr. Valence did right by Jennifer."
Simon continued his emotionless narration of Christopher and Jennifer's story.
"He sent Jennifer's mother to a nursing home for treatment, using this to draw a clear line with Jennifer. But on the night of Mrs. Hope Hammer's wedding, he drank too much and woke up with Jennifer beside him. After that, Jennifer was seen with him."
"For over a year, their relationship was neither close nor distant, whether in public or in private. No matter what others or the media said, Mr. Valence never responded."
"When you encountered them at the obstetrics department today, she was indeed checking her pregnancy, but the child isn't Mr. Valence's."
Elissa had been internally criticizing Christopher, wondering how someone so intelligent could be manipulated.
She was surprised to learn he'd slept with Jennifer, and then came the bombshell.
"Whose child is it then?"
"Micah's."
Elissa couldn't help clapping her hands, "How fascinating."
Simon remarked, "Mr. Valence isn't easily manipulated. He likely knew exactly what happened that night. He's probably doing this to reassure someone."
Elissa figured it must be Jerry.
Simon confirmed it in the next moment.
"This way, Jerry won't fixate on past events, and Hope can live peacefully."
Christopher was still looking out for Hope, even now.
Elissa finished the last of her food, even drinking all the soup.
She leaned back in her chair, contentedly patting her small belly.
Francis quickly stopped her. "That's not a temporary food belly—it's our baby."
Elissa occasionally truly forgot about her pregnancy, mainly because Francis had somehow taken on her morning sickness.
Combined with Coralie's medicine, she felt wonderfully comfortable, experiencing no discomfort at all.
"I'll try to remember."
Francis wanted to say more, but Elissa covered his mouth to prevent his lecture and asked Simon, "Anything else?"
Simon thought for a moment. "This time, Mr. Valence and Jennifer should be completely done."
"Jennifer's mother has passed away, and now that she's carrying Micah's child, Mr. Valence is preparing her documents to leave the country."
"Jennifer naively thought she could deceive Mr. Valence, using Micah's child to marry him. When he exposed her, she ran into the street and was hit by a car. She lost the baby."
Elissa felt some sympathy.
But people must face the consequences of their actions.
She decided not to mention this to Hope.
"I don't want to hear any more. You can go now."
Simon had been eager to leave.
Given permission, he vanished with remarkable speed.
Elissa leaned against Francis, growing drowsy.
Francis smiled and carried her to bed.
Elissa clung to his neck, refusing to let go.
Francis spoke with extreme tenderness, "Are you satisfied today?"
"Yes," Elissa nestled closer.
Francis removed his clothes and joined her in bed.
Anne returned to Seaside City.
She stayed at her grandfather's old house for a few days.
After adjusting, she went to Meadowbrook City.
Since becoming Ernest's student, she had worked at his photography studio.
Though not a regular employee with fixed hours—she had more freedom—she still needed to formally resign.
Ernest hadn't been able to contact Anne for three months.
If not for her Facebook posts, he would have filed a missing person report.
He never expected that their first meeting after three months would be her resignation.
"Is it because I..." he began.
Anne shook her head. "Mr. Torres, I'm grateful for your rescue and support over the years. I can spend the rest of my life repaying your kindness, but that's all it can be."
Ernest looked wounded. "It is because of me, isn't it? Ann, we were good together. Couldn't you..."
Anne interrupted him again. She couldn't let Ernest finish.
"Mr. Torres, I'm not resigning because of you. I want to start my own studio. I'm still young and want to try new things."
Such formal words were usually beneath her.
They sounded like excuses.
But who could he blame?
Only himself, for failing to distinguish between dreams and reality.
Now he'd frightened her away.
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