Chapter 229 Suspicion
Louis and Elizabeth were sitting on a bench in the hallway.
Elizabeth looked down, like she had lost her spirit.
Louis said, "Hey, Elizabeth, why don't you check in with Dean and see how the kids are doing? It's super late. Are they asleep? Are you okay with Dean watching them alone?"
Louis figured he needed to distract her, or she might not hold it together.
Sure enough, Elizabeth's eyes started to focus when she heard him.
She straightened up, pulled out her phone, and called Dean.
"Elizabeth, how are you holding up?" Dean sounded really worried.
Elizabeth replied, "Dean, don't worry about me. How are Pearl and Nolan?"
Dean said, "Pearl's been crying... but Nolan and I are trying to calm her down. She'll be okay soon."
Elizabeth said, "It's late, they should be in bed. Don't let them stay up too long."
"Got it. I'll get them ready for bed now." Dean hung up and stood up.
Pearl asked, "Was that Mom on the phone?"
Dean nodded. "Yeah, your mom wants you to go to bed early. Can you do that for her?"
Nolan took Pearl's hand and led her to the bathroom.
After Pearl washed up, she went back to her room and lay down.
Pearl grabbed Nolan's hand as he was about to leave. "Nolan, I'm scared without Grandma to put me to sleep."
Nolan held her hand and said, "I'll stay with you."
Daniel stood at the door, feeling a wave of tenderness as he watched the two kids.
He walked over quietly, turned off the main light, and switched on the bedside lamp.
He looked at Pearl and Nolan. "Alright, you two, close your eyes. How about I tell you a story?"
Pearl nodded obediently. "Thanks, Mr. Taylor."
Daniel looked at Pearl's face, which was like a mini version of Elizabeth.
Then he glanced at Nolan and was shocked.
Nolan looked exactly like Michael—a mini version of him! Daniel remembered Michael saying Nolan was Elizabeth's adopted kid. Only Michael would believe that, right?
Daniel pushed down his surprise and started telling them a bedtime story in a gentle voice.
After a day of fun at the amusement park, Pearl and Nolan were already tired. Soon, holding hands, they fell asleep.
Listening to their steady breathing, Daniel turned off the bedside lamp, tiptoed out of the room, and gently closed the door behind him.
Meanwhile, Dean took the day's clothes out of the washing machine and hung them up to dry.
Daniel stood on the balcony and asked, "Dean, is Elizabeth coming back tonight?"
Dean replied, "Probably not."
Daniel asked, "Can you handle watching the two of them alone?"
Dean responded, "No problem. Pearl's really well-behaved. Nolan's very sensible."
Daniel nodded. "Alright, I'll head back then."
At the Thomas Villa, Clio took Eloise to her room to rest.
Mary stayed in the guest room with Calla.
"Mrs. Thomas, I'm sorry. It's so late, and I still troubled you to come over," Calla said.
Mary said, "I live nearby. Michael wasn't around when you fainted, so the family doctor had to call me. By the way, where's Michael? It's so late, and he's still not home."
Calla turned her head, looking hesitant. "Mrs. Thomas, Michael has his own things to do. I usually don't pry into his business."
Mary was angry. "Did he go to see Elizabeth? Didn't they divorce a long time ago? Are they still in contact?"
Calla lowered her head, looking really upset. "Mrs. Thomas, I didn't plan on getting pregnant. Michael doesn't like kids. I'm scared he'll ask me to get an abortion when he finds out."
Mary said, "He's not getting any younger; he should settle down. I've always thought he should find someone to marry and have a child with. Now that you're pregnant, let's set the wedding date soon! You should rest up. Once you and Michael are married, you can't let him be so reckless anymore."
"How am I reckless?" Michael's voice cut through the air, cold as ice.
The two women were stunned and turned around.
Mary said, "You're back. Stay with Calla. She fainted tonight. The baby is already several months along, and you two are about to become parents. How can you be so careless?"
Michael said, "Who said we're becoming parents?"
Mary's eyes widened. "You and Calla, of course! Who else?"
Michael didn't look at her and said, "She's getting an abortion."
Calla's forehead was covered in cold sweat.
Even though she had prepared herself, hearing Michael say it out loud still made her feel cold all over.
Mary's face was grim as she patted Calla's hand reassuringly and then walked over to Michael. "Michael, Calla is already five months pregnant. If she has an abortion now, it wouldn't only severely harm her health, but it could also be life-threatening. Didn't you say Eloise is about to undergo her second surgery? If Calla isn't around, who do you expect to perform the surgery on Eloise?"
Michael painfully furrowed his brows.
He just didn't want Calla to have his child, but he hadn't thought of this.
Calla lay on the bed, weakly saying, "Michael, it's all my fault. I had abnormal hormone levels before, and the doctor said I was infertile. Plus, my menstrual cycle was irregular. I never thought I would get pregnant. I'm really sorry for causing you trouble."
Michael thought, 'Fine, for the sake of Eloise's treatment, I have already come this far with Calla. Since I have already decided to marry her, what harm would it do to let her keep the child? I have already compromised and tolerated so much, so having another child doesn't matter.'
The next morning, Daniel arrived early and made breakfast for Dean and the kids.
But Pearl and Nolan had no appetite.
Pearl said, "Dean, will I never see Grandma again?"
Dean struggled to find the words: "Pearl, your grandma has gone to heaven. She'll be watching over you from up there, but we won't be able to see her anymore."
Pearl's eyes turned red again.
Dean said, "Pearl, Nolan, your grandmother has passed away. It's just the three of us now to support your mom. Right now, she's still in the hospital and she's in a lot of pain. When she comes home, can you spend more time with her? Please eat well, sleep well, and if you feel sad, let me know, okay?"
Pearl and Nolan nodded with red eyes.
Just then, Daniel's phone rang. It was Michael calling.
"Mr. Thomas," he answered.
Michael asked, "Daniel, where are you?"
Daniel responded, "Mr. Thomas, I'm at Whispering Pines Estates."
Michael said, "Investigate Nancy's car accident last night. I want to know if it was an accident or murder."
Daniel was shocked. "Mr. Thomas, do you suspect..."
Michael said, "A large truck appeared near the middle of the mountain road. Is that normal?"
Daniel replied, "I see, Mr. Thomas. I'll get back to you."
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