Chapter 346 What Do Sleepless Nights Even Count For?
Frederick wrapped up his work and took Amelia and Anna back to Hastings Manor.
At the manor, Brittany was in her wheelchair. When she saw Frederick carrying Anna inside, she quickly moved towards them.
Anna was familiar with Brittany and greeted her cheerfully, "Mrs. Hastings."
Brittany smiled and nodded, opening her arms for a hug. Frederick let her hold Anna briefly before taking her back, worried she might drop her.
Brittany was clearly annoyed by Frederick's overprotectiveness and glared at him. She feared that if they officially acknowledged each other, she might never get to hold her great-granddaughter again.
Frederick, unfazed, said, "You're getting older, and Anna's quite active. I'm worried she might hurt you."
He then gently told Anna, "Daddy can't hold you anymore. How about you go play?"
Anna nodded, and Frederick set her down.
Brittany looked surprised when she heard Frederick say "Daddy" and glanced at Amelia, who nodded.
Frederick expected a bigger reaction, but neither Tom nor Brittany seemed surprised. He felt puzzled.
Brittany stayed calm, patted Amelia's hand, and Amelia suggested, "Mrs. Hastings, it's getting windy. Let me push you inside."
Brittany agreed, and Frederick stood there, confused. Realizing everyone already knew Anna was his daughter, he asked, "You all knew about that?"
Tom nodded, confirming it. Frederick felt a mix of anger and embarrassment, realizing he was the last to know.
Amelia pushed Brittany inside, while Anna tugged on Frederick's pinky, pointing to the garden fountain. "Uncle Frederick, look at the fish."
Frederick's anger faded as he picked Anna up and took her to see the fish.
Inside, Amelia and Brittany chatted. Brittany had a lot to say but couldn't speak. Amelia reassured her, "Mrs. Hastings, don't worry about Frederick and me. Focus on getting better. For Anna's sake, I'll give him a chance."
Brittany seemed relieved, and Amelia comforted her.
Before dinner, a former student called Amelia for help with some questions. After patiently explaining, she ended the call.
Just as Amelia put her phone away, Frederick suddenly hugged her from behind, pulling her close. His chin rested on her shoulder, and he sounded gloomy. "Everyone knew Anna was my daughter, but you didn't tell me, did you?"
He remembered sneaking to Fondaniss to see her, feeling crushed when he saw her with Daniel. When Amelia first returned with Anna, he couldn't sleep, constantly battling his emotions and even considering giving up on her. Now, knowing Anna was his child, he felt a chill thinking about his past thoughts of giving up. If he had cut ties, they might have become strangers.
"Amelia, you were too cruel to me," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear, making her stiffen.
After calming down, she replied coldly, "Did you give me a chance to tell you?"
Frederick's grip tightened, his knuckles white. "It was so hard being kept in the dark by you," he said, his voice strained.
"After our divorce," he continued, barely above a whisper, "I went to Fondaniss to talk about our marriage, but I saw you with Daniel, pregnant."
His eyes were red-rimmed. "Amelia, do you know how much I suffered? I couldn't sleep at nights, thinking of you. Every empty room in Spring Villa echoed with your absence."
The staff at Spring Villa kept everything as it was before she left, just as he had instructed. But it was a cruel reminder. The master bedroom light never stayed on waiting for him. No scent of her perfume, no trace of her presence.
Amelia listened quietly, her eyes reddening. She took a deep breath, her voice tight with emotion. "For three years, you weren't the only one sleepless."
"When I was pregnant with Anna," she continued, her voice wavering, "the latter part was tough. Morning sickness never stopped, and I couldn't eat. Whatever I ate, I felt nauseous."
She paused, her eyes distant, reliving the pain. "The physical torments were bearable, but the psychological ones were worse."
Frederick felt a stabbing pain in his heart. She had suffered too. They were both victims of their own choices and pride.
She bit her lip, her tone softening. "I worried other kids would laugh at my child for not having a father," she confided, her voice cracking. "And I worried if you remarried, my child would be labeled as illegitimate and never hold her head up."
Her voice grew stronger, more accusatory. "Frederick, you wanted the divorce and were the first to regret it. But it seems like I was the only one bearing all the pain. What do sleepless nights even count for?"
She couldn't stay in Fondaniss forever; Kasfee was her home. When she heard Frederick had a fiancée, her fear was beyond sleepless nights. It was a fear of losing her daughter's place in society, her own chance at happiness. A fear of the unknown, carried for three long years.
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