Chapter 384
A spark of realization flashed through Michelle's mind, and the sneer on her face instantly transformed into a warm, friendly smile. She took a step toward Hayden and leaned in close, her voice oozing disdain as she hissed, "You murderer, even going after a five-month-old child..."
The sound of a sharp slap cut the air.
"Ahh!" "Thud!"
Just as Michelle leaned in closer, her sentence unfinished, Hayden raised her hand and, with all her strength, delivered a vicious slap across Michelle's face.
The crisp slap echoed through the secluded corner outside the restroom, followed by Michelle's piercing scream. Staggering sideways, she fell to the ground, her glass tumbling and shattering upon impact.
"Michelle!"
Not far away, William had witnessed the scene and immediately rushed over.
Hayden, hearing the commotion, glanced over to find William approaching. Gazing once more at Michelle, now crumpled on the ground and looking utterly pathetic, Hayden allowed a cold smile to play across her lips.
"William, ah... my hand..."
Michelle collapsed to the floor, a shattered crystal wine glass underneath her palm, embedding transparent shards into her skin.
William rushed to her side and grimaced at the sight of her palm, lacerated and bleeding. He scooped her into his arms and examined her hand.
Several glass pieces had punctured the flesh of her palm. The blood oozing out was a dreadful sight.
"Hayden, what gives you the right to provoke me? Do you really think I wouldn't dare touch you?" After glancing at Michelle's palm, William's gaze instantly turned icy as it landed on Hayden, who stood there arrogantly. With a voice nearly roaring, he spoke, blazing with fury and hostility.
"Hah..." Hayden sneered back, defiant and biting, with a cold preserve. "Do you dare lay a finger on me, William? Go on, try it!"
William's response was just a chilling smirk. His gaze dropped meaningfully to her prominently pregnant belly, and without saying a word, he effortlessly carried Michelle past her and out of the room.
"As for you and Michelle, you're quite a match," mocked Hayden as William passed by. "May you have an everlasting happiness together!"
A sneer briefly creased William's step, but he continued, carrying Michelle away while loudly retorting, "Don't worry, your wishes will be granted!"
"Don't worry, your wishes will be granted," Hayden couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion, her eyes misty, blurring her vision.
"Ah~"
Suddenly, a sharp pain surged in her lower abdomen. Hayden winced and stifled a groan, quickly steadying herself against a wall. She eased herself into a corner, leaned against it, and clutched at her swelling belly, gasping for breath.
"Sugar, Ray, I'm so sorry... this is all because of Mommy. Just hang in there a little longer, my darlings..." Her voice was a tender murmur, trying to soothe the relentless tide of contractions that surged with increasing intensity.
"Sugar, Ray, let's be calm for now. Today's a big day for your godparents; we don't want to stir up any trouble, do we? And if we do, well... there might be consequences later..." Hayden inhaled deeply, her words a mix of gentle coaxing and playful warning to the life stirring within her.
Despite her calming attempts, the contractions only grew stronger, and Hayden's discomfort deepened.
"Sugar, Ray, can you hear Mommy? Please, be good for me, alright?"
Neither cajoling nor threats worked, so Hayden resorted to pleading.
At that moment, the ever-composed linchpin of the family, looking down at her swollen belly, felt an unfamiliar wave of fear and panic.
She was afraid that her babies, Sugar and Ray, would come before full term, eager to burst into the world now.
At barely over six months, twenty-five weeks along, an early birth would bring a host of problems, or even worse...
No, having lost one child already, she couldn't bear to lose Sugar and Ray as well.
Suddenly, she felt a warm liquid slowly escaping between her legs.
She knew all too well what it was, and panic set in even more.
She quickly pulled out her phone to call Finley.
Finley was usually by her side, but Hayden had sent her away to find Teresa.
The phone connected immediately as Finley picked up.
"Hayden, what's wrong?"
Hearing Finley's voice, Hayden quickly regained her composure and relayed her location, instructing her to come over immediately.
Fortunately, Finley wasn't far and hurried to the location Hayden had given her.
"Hayden, you..." Finley rushed over and saw the bright fluid streaming down Hayden's legs, eyes widening in shock.
"Keep it down," Hayden whispered, not wanting to disrupt Teresa and Gabriel's wedding. "Come here, help me outside; have the driver bring the car to the back door of the main building. We need to get to the hospital right away."
"Okay, okay!"
Finley snapped into action, supporting Hayden with all her strength as they headed towards the back door of the main building...
Upstairs, Teresa was in her room touching up her makeup, with the formal wedding ceremony scheduled to take place at noon sharp.
Yet, as she prepared, an unease settled over her; her right eyelid wouldn't stop twitching.
As the clock struck eleven, the housekeeper arrived with her wedding dress and tiara, her makeup applied, and her hair perfectly coiffed. That's when she remembered that Hayden had promised to accompany her that morning. Why had she yet to arrive?
Hayden was heavily pregnant and finding it difficult to get around. Teresa hoped nothing was amiss.
Concerned, Teresa quickly asked the housekeeper to check if Hayden had arrived yet.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Gabriel entered the room just as Teresa was sending the housekeeper to find Hayden. He wrapped his arms around her, asking with concern.
Teresa furrowed her eyebrows and looked at him. "Honey, have you seen Hayden? She was supposed to be here this morning to keep me company, but she's still not here. I'm worried something has happened to her, especially since she's so far along."
Gabriel kissed her forehead gently, "She got here half an hour ago. She's probably just been held up and can't get away. I'll have someone check on her."
"No, go yourself," Teresa urged, giving him a light push. "I'd feel much better if you went."
Gabriel, with a mix of indulgence and reluctance, lightly pinched her delicate nose. "Alright, I'll go."
"Hurry," Teresa urged again with another push.
Gabriel, still reluctant to leave her side, gave her a lingering kiss on her lips before he turned and went downstairs to look for Hayden personally.
After searching without success, he had Luke check the security footage, only to discover Hayden had been in a confrontation with Michelle. After William took Michelle away, they saw blood between Hayden's legs—she was in trouble. Finley had helped her quietly slip out the back door.
Her silent departure was likely to ensure Gabriel and Teresa's wedding was maintained.
