Chapter 219
Outside the operating theater, Nicolas declared firmly, "I will only marry Thea in this life." Even Joyce was startled, glancing at him again. Her impression of Nicolas shifted; she felt the one-month probation period might end early.
Emmalie gritted her teeth. "Nicolas, you're kind and wouldn't hurt Thea, but she's in the wrong. If you stay with her, you'll be implicated." She attempted to be understanding, but Nicolas didn't look at her. "Why would I be afraid of being implicated? Thea is my wife, and the online news is fake. I'll sue everyone for spreading rumors and clear Thea's name," he said, his eyebrows cold. "Including the mastermind."
He would stand by Thea. Emmalie was furious. How did Thea make him do this? she thought, her fingers digging into her palm, her breathing ragged. She wanted to sow discord, but Ivy intervened. "Emmalie, be happy Nicolas loves Thea so much." Ivy saw the situation clearly. If Emmalie continued, Nicolas might attack the Rowland family. Both Emmalie and Thea were her daughters; Thea's public relationship with Nicolas would greatly benefit the Rowland family.
Ivy said, "Nicolas, I'm glad you believe Thea, but the rumors are spreading like wildfire. She won't be able to handle it when she wakes up. Why not announce your marriage? It would silence them!" Nicolas couldn't help but notice that Emmalie and Ivy were both calculating; neither cared about Thea's condition, only the benefits.
He said coldly, "There's no need for you to worry about Thea and me." If Ivy weren't Thea's mother, he wouldn't have spoken to her at all; he only did so because of Thea.
When Emmalie saw his resolve, she tried to continue, but the operating room door opened. A doctor emerged first. Thea, still under anesthesia, lay pale on the hospital bed.
Nicolas glanced at her, a heavy weight settling on his heart. "Doctor, my wife?" he asked.
"The patient is stable, but we couldn't save the baby," the doctor sighed, noting Nicolas's immediate concern for his wife. "This miscarriage will significantly impact her body. She needs careful recuperation; future pregnancies will be difficult."
This news was devastating. Joyce wept. "Doctor, you must be joking! She's healthy and loves children! You can't deprive her of motherhood!"
The doctor's further explanation was unheard by Ivy and Emmalie. They immediately began strategizing. Ivy was certain Nicolas wouldn't keep Thea, but she didn't want a divorce. Emmalie, meanwhile, was overjoyed. Thea is crippled, and Stephanie has angered Nicolas my time to shine! she thought. Filled with anticipation, she moved to rub against Nicolas's arm. "Nicolas, don't be sad. Perhaps this is retribution. She shouldn't have done such a thing!" But Nicolas threw her to the ground.
His eyes filled with disgust. "Get lost. If you say anything bad about Thea again, I'll pull your tongue out." A monstrous aura enveloped Emmalie; she struggled to breathe. Nicolas then went to Thea's ward.
Emmalie's tears flowed. Ivy pulled her into a hug. "Nicolas chose Thea. You shouldn't have approached him."
"Mom, I don't understand I loved Nicolas first. Why does he only like Thea? I don't want to take anything from her, I just love him too much," Emmalie cried. "Thea has everything, but she can't even let me have Nicolas?" Each sob pierced Ivy's heart.
Ivy sat Emmalie down. Determination hardened her eyes. "Emmalie, don't worry. No one will take what's yours. I'll make sure you become Mrs. Hendrix." She added, "Thea's lost her fertility. Instead of letting Nicolas be taken by another woman, she should give up her position for you."
In the ward, Thea struggled to lift her eyelids. Nicolas held her hand; his warmth couldn't reach her heart. She felt the loss. "Nicolas, where's the child?" she whispered, her voice strained.
Nicolas's desire to escape surfaced for the first time. "We'll have more children, Thea. We're still young…" He didn't know how to comfort her. He wanted to touch her face, but Thea flinched. "Don't touch me. Get out." Her voice trembled.
"Thea, rest. I'll be outside. Call if you need me," Nicolas said gently, knowing his presence would only add to her sadness.
As soon as he left, he heard her muffled sobs. Each sound tore at his heart. Thea knew no one truly loved her; she could only cry in silence.
Nicolas leaned against the wall, cold and frustrated. Then Darwin called. "Mr. Hendrix, Ms. Ralap she wants to see you. She says she has something to tell you." Nicolas thought, Stephanie still wants to cause trouble?