Chapter 408 Stubbornness
Alice finally woke up on the afternoon of the third day, blinking her eyes open.
The Howard family got the news and rushed over in a heartbeat.
Claire saw Alice lying there in the hospital bed and felt a wave of gratitude. Alice had saved her, but now Alice was the one all banged up with broken legs and arms, a concussion, bruises everywhere, and she'd lost the baby.
Alice's eyes landed on Adrian. Her lips quivered. "Adrian, I'm sorry, I couldn't protect our baby..."
Adrian squeezed her fingers. "Alice, don't stress about it. Just focus on getting better."
Alice shut her eyes, and a tear slipped out.
Claire stepped closer, trying to comfort her. "Alice, it's not your fault. You and Adrian will have more kids in the future."
Avery, leaning on Curtis's shoulder, started bawling. "You don't get it. Alice was all about this baby. She had check-ups all the time, ate super healthy. We all loved this baby, and now it's gone. Alice, it's my fault. I should've been there with you."
Alice, feeling miserable, said, "Mom, it's all my fault."
Claire felt a pang of guilt. "Alice, even without this baby, you're still the best daughter-in-law I could ask for. You're young, and you and Adrian will have more kids. Right now, you just need to focus on getting better."
Alice looked at Claire, her mind racing on how to keep her act convincing. The baby was gone, and she'd lost that leverage. If she didn't play her cards right, marrying Adrian would be tough.
Alice asked, "Aunt Claire, are you okay?"
Claire was taken aback that Alice, just waking up in the hospital, was worried about her.
She held Alice's hand. "Alice, I'm fine. I should be thanking you. Get some rest. Adrian, stay with Alice."
Adrian sat by Alice's side until she dozed off again. Then he headed back to the Howard Villa, where Claire stopped him. "Adrian."
Adrian asked, "Mom, haven't you rested yet?" It was 2 PM, and since the accident, Claire needed her afternoon naps.
Claire couldn't sleep. She sighed. "Adrian, I can tell you don't like Alice." Seeing Adrian's lips tighten, Claire knew she was right.
Claire said, "I know you're a stand-up guy. Alice saved you, and you feel like you gotta marry her. Alice lost the baby saving my life. Whatever I felt before, I'm deeply indebted to her now."
Adrian replied, "Mom, I know what you're getting at."
"Adrian, do you like Natalie?" Claire suddenly asked, eyeing Adrian.
Adrian's eyes narrowed, but he didn't answer.
He sighed. "Mom, like you said, I don't want to marry Alice, but I have to. Once she's better, I'll talk wedding details with her. The best I can do is marry her. Alice wants to be Mrs. Howard, and I can give her that. But beyond that, I can't promise more."
"Adrian, you've been stubborn since you were a little kid, and I know you well," Claire said. "Natalie and Alice do look alike."
"I'm into Natalie not because she looks like someone else, but because she's amazing on her own," Adrian said, standing up and patting Claire's shoulder. "It's late, Mom. Go rest and don't worry about this. I'll handle it."
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