Chapter 109 A Family of Four in the Dream
So, I ended up dozing off in the bathtub. My body swayed gently with the water, like I was floating in some surreal dream. My breathing got steady and deep, the tension slowly ebbing away from my body, like I'd forgotten all my worries and pain for a bit. But even in sleep, my brow stayed a little furrowed. I knew my troubles hadn't really gone away, just buried for a while.
Then I had this weird dream.
In the dream, I was pushing this super fancy baby stroller down a quiet, peaceful path. Inside were a boy and a girl, looking like little angels with cheeks like ripe peaches, just begging to be kissed. Edward was there too, smiling warmly, and we looked like a perfect picture. But suddenly, the babies started crying loudly. Even though they were tiny, they spoke clearly like adults, saying, "I want my mommy; you are not our mommy."
Freaked out, I grabbed the crying babies, but they started kicking and punching me with surprising strength. They covered my face with a bib, making it hard to see or breathe. Panicking, I struggled to let go, but the babies clung to me tightly. The eerie silence around me made the dimly lit room full of suffocation.
"Edward, save me!" I shouted, but I had no idea where he was. The night outside was pitch black, like the whole world had forgotten me. I tried to open my eyes wide but couldn't see anything, just hearing my own rapid breathing and heartbeat.
The suffocating feeling was too real, wrapping around me tightly. I fought desperately, waving my hands and kicking my feet like I was battling an invisible enemy. Finally, in endless fear and struggle, I woke up. I surfaced from the tub, leaning on the edge, coughing violently.
It was just a dream. I'd fallen asleep in the bathtub, and the water had covered my face, causing that suffocating feeling. I touched my flat stomach, realizing there was no sign of having had a child. Edward would never be walking with me, pushing a baby stroller. I once dreamed of having a child with Edward, but when I found out he was totally on the Howard family and Anne's side, ignoring my feelings, I gave up on that idea.
Edward and I didn't have sex often, but lately, he couldn't seem to get enough of me. After each recent encounter, I secretly took contraceptive pills, except for the few days when Edward suddenly took me on a honeymoon, and I wasn't prepared. Luckily, I didn't get pregnant, and I felt relieved that I couldn't conceive easily. Otherwise, my life would be even harder.
I didn't know how long I'd slept. I reached for my phone to check the time, only to find it had run out of battery. Feeling heavy all over, I slowly dragged my exhausted body, struggling to climb out of the waterlogged bathtub bit by bit. Water splashed onto the floor, making a slight sound.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the hallway. Melissa was busy mopping the floor, the sound of the mop rubbing against the tiles echoing in the quiet.
"Melissa, what time is it?" My voice came out raspy. Melissa jumped at the sound, dropping the mop handle with a thud.
"Mrs. Howard, you're back! It's already past ten in the morning. When did you get in?" she asked.
I rubbed my aching head and replied weakly, "Probably around dawn." I dragged my heavy feet towards my room, the sunlight casting a long shadow behind me, making me look even more alone.
Melissa quickly asked, "Did Mr. Howard and Ms. York come back with you? I'll get lunch ready."
I shook my head, my voice heavy with exhaustion. "No need; they didn't come back."
The hallway fell silent again, and the sunlight seemed to dim a bit. My face must have looked pale because Melissa gave me a pitying look. "But you need to eat something. What would you like?" she asked.
Edward didn't have many personal things, so I only packed a small bag. As for Anne, I just grabbed a couple of her things. I was so disappointed in her that even touching her stuff made me feel sick.
I was about to leave with the packed items when Melissa had already set the food on the dining table.
Seeing my hurried expression, Melissa said, "Mrs. Howard, if it's not urgent, please eat something before you go. You haven't eaten much since last night."
Looking at her sincere expression, I couldn't refuse. "Alright then," I said.
I slowly sat down and began to eat. The meal Melissa prepared was simple but just what I liked. Light dishes and warm soup, all my favorites. The discomfort from drinking and the burning sensation in my stomach were unbearable, but this bowl of sweet soup made me feel a lot better.
Melissa stood quietly by, serving me while I ate in silence, the atmosphere heavy.
She seemed like she wanted to say something but hesitated. I knew she wanted to talk about the online rumors, but I couldn't bring myself to discuss it. The internet was full of rumors, all bad for me. Even though I had won my lawsuit, the gossip continued. Given that Alice and Eric were public figures with millions of followers, such a scandal wouldn't die down quickly. Yet since I had taken Alice's payment, I had to bear everything, including online abuse and real-life criticism.
As a lawyer, I had built a good reputation in the industry through this case, and other rumors didn't matter to me, except for the negative impact on the Howard family. However, Melissa was different. She wasn't highly educated, and although her income was now relatively high, her daily work was simple cleaning, so she didn't have my level of awareness. She only felt that such online scandals were disgraceful and should be cleared up as much as possible.
When it came to getting rid of negative vibes, Melissa and Clara were on the same page. But Melissa, being the house help, would never confront me like Clara did. She just quietly did her job, showing her loyalty and dedication through her actions.
Melissa stayed quiet until I finished my lunch. She probably figured that keeping her mouth shut would let me enjoy my meal, and talking might just tick me off. Melissa, our hired help, was hardworking and straightforward, always putting the family first. Even though she had her own thoughts on things, she kept them to herself out of respect for her job and us. Her care and thoughtfulness showed in everything she did. Maybe in Melissa's mind, a rich lady should stay classy and calm, not getting into arguments. Being a quiet and graceful lady was way better than getting mixed up in lawsuits.
After lunch, I rushed to the hospital. Aria seemed like trouble, and I didn't want her near Edward for another second. But when I got to Edward's room, it was empty, and I wondered if I had the wrong place.
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