Chapter 248
Michelle glanced at him and turned to Teresa with a growing sense of unease. Before Teresa could speak, she flashed a nervous smile and said, “Teresa, can I have a chance? Believe me, I will take good care of your brother and your parents.”
“No need.” Teresa was clearly agitated and rejected Michelle bluntly, turning to William with an inquisitive edge. “William, are you seriously still doubting that Hayden is carrying your child?”
Before Teresa’s miscarriage, Hayden had left the country. Teresa had asked where she had gone to, but Hayden refused to disclose any details.
It seemed Hayden had been hurt enough by William and decided to have the baby abroad on her own terms.
Teresa wasn’t initially this furious, but just days ago, Diana had also been hurt by Liam.
Her two closest friends—one deeply wounded by her own brother and the other by her ex-boyfriend. How could Teresa not be incensed?
‘Hayden is pregnant with William’s baby?!’
Not only Michelle but also Patrick and Sophia were stunned.
“I believe it,” William said calmly, a stark contrast to Gabriel, who remained unfazed because he wasn’t personally involved. William’s serenity came from having already investigated everything thoroughly, confident that Hayden was indeed carrying his child.
So now, he simply nodded at Teresa, his eyes betraying no hint of emotion.
“Teresa, say it again, who has your brother’s child?” Patrick, finally snapping back to reality, urgently asked.
“Hayden Bush, who comes from the capital,” Teresa revealed, no longer withholding the truth from Patrick and Sophia.
“Hayden is carrying your brother’s child?!” Sophia was utterly astounded, finding it hard to believe.
The Bush family had been a pillar of the capital for generations, holding a distinguished place among the city’s elite. The two Bush brothers carved their own paths, one in business and the other in politics, both with noteworthy success.
“Indeed, that’s the truth.” Teresa nodded.
“William, when did this happen, and how come I didn’t know about it?” Michelle asked, trying to maintain her composure.
“Don’t worry, even if Hayden has the child, you’re the only one I intend to marry,” William assured her softly as he looked at Michelle.
“This marriage between you and Michelle. It can’t go on,” Patrick, who had initially not opposed the union, suddenly stood up and voiced his objection with a stern face.
The Bush family from the capital was not someone he wanted to cross. He didn’t want to halt the hard-earned progress of his own family or impede the Garcias.
“Patrick...” Sofia said, worrying for Patrick’s health.
“Michelle, you should go back now,” before Michelle could say another word, Patrick interrupted her.
“William, please!” Michelle turned to William, her eyes pleading for support.
“It’s okay. You go on home first. I can handle my own affairs,” William consoled her, reaching for her hand and rising to escort her, “Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
Now that Patrick and Sophia were aware of Hayden’s pregnancy, William knew he had to clear the air with them. It was better for Michelle to leave the scene.
Michelle looked up at William, nodded her agreement, and reluctantly let him lead her away.
“Teresa, when did you find out that Hayden is expecting your brother’s baby? Why didn’t you tell me and your father earlier?” Sophia pressed as soon as William and Michelle had left.
She and Patrick had been eagerly hoping for grandchildren, yet they refrained from rushing William.
Teresa pursed her lips, looking at her parents. “I believed my brother could handle his own matters,” she said, holding back.
“How far along is she? Do you think Hayden will keep the baby?” Patrick continued to probe.
“It’s been over three months now. Hayden went abroad. I think she wanted to give birth somewhere,” Teresa answered truthfully.
Patrick and Sophia immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
The news of Hayden choosing to have the baby did wonders for their spirits. Not only would they have a grandchild, a cause for celebration, but it also meant that Hayden loved their son, William. At least for the time being, the Bushes wouldn’t bring any trouble to the Bennetts.
“Does her family know about Hayden carrying your brother’s child?” Patrick pondered briefly before asking.
Teresa shook her head, “I have no idea.”
“They probably don’t, or Hayden wouldn’t have gone abroad alone to have the baby,” Gabriel chimed in casually, sitting next to Teresa.
Patrick regarded Gabriel, his brows knitted in thought, then nodded and said, “Teresa, you’re close to Hayden. Tell her that we, the Bennetts, are all in—whether as her in-laws or regarding the child. She should go ahead and have the baby without worry. If she’s willing...”
“I’m ready to accept the child as my own, but as for Hayden, I will never acknowledge her nor take her as my wife,” William interjected, cutting off Patrick just as he returned from seeing Michelle off.
“You got her pregnant. Do you think you can simply say you won’t marry her?” Patrick suddenly shouted, his anger flaring.
“Patrick, take care of yourself,” Sophia quickly stood, her hand on his heaving chest, her voice laced with concern.
“What if I told you Michelle is also expecting my child?” William hated to upset Patrick, especially to the point of illness, but his life was not something he was willing to let his parents control.
“You...”
“Patrick, calm down. Let’s not get worked up,” Sophia intercepted, seeing Patrick ready to unleash his anger on William.
Gabriel lounged back on the sofa, casting a knowing glance at William.
As men of stature themselves, Gabriel felt he understood the torrent of emotion in William’s eyes.
“William, you are lying, aren’t you?” Teresa blurted out, disbelief written all over her face.
William flashed a grin at Teresa but chose not to answer her question directly. Instead, he said confidently, “Teresa, you tell Hayden that if she wants to have children, she can have as many as she pleases. I, William, can support them all. But as for her, she’ll never be a part of the Bennett family.”
...
