Chapter 220
"It's about Mr. Ralap," Darwin said. He didn't want to deliver Stephanie's message to Nicolas, but he knew Vergil Ralap's importance to him. Concealing it could prove fatal.
Nicolas surveyed the ward. Thea's body lay still beneath the blankets. Each tremor felt like a stab to his heart. He said, "Ask her what she wants. If she's unwilling, let her be." At that moment, nothing mattered more than Thea. She needed physical care, family support, and protection; otherwise, she'd be consumed by self-blame.
Darwin hesitated, then steeled himself. "Nicolas, Ms. Ralap's mental state has been unstable. She said that if you don't come, she'll take this secret to her grave. It concerns Mr. Ralap."
Nicolas frowned, taking a deep breath. "Call some security guards and nurses to stay with Thea." He had to go to Stephanie, for Vergil and for Thea. He couldn't bear the thought of Thea's child being lost for nothing.
He waited for a nurse before entrusting Thea's care and leaving. Thea remained silent, even with him. He could only rush back as soon as possible.
Thea didn't know how long she'd been crying. Her almond-shaped eyes were swollen shut, and exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her. She blamed herself for the incident, for harming herself and her unborn child. This self-recrimination fueled a burning hatred for Stephanie.
She would make Stephanie pay, but Nicolas was her first obstacle. Without his consent, no one could touch Stephanie. Thea pursed her lips. She believed, given that the baby was also his, Nicolas wouldn't protect Stephanie. Regardless of his debt to Stephanie's brother, Thea felt he should end this.
"Nicolas" Her voice was raspy and barely audible.
The door burst open. It wasn't Nicolas, but Emmalie, her gloating barely masked by a pretense of concern. "Thea, Nicolas had to leave on urgent business. He instructed Mom and me to care for you." This was a lie. Nicolas's staff were closely monitoring Thea; Emmalie and Ivy had only slipped in during a shift change.
Thea's alarm bells rang. "What are you doing here?" Weakened by the miscarriage, she lacked the strength to even sit up.
Ivy, despite Thea's frail state, felt a pang of sympathy. "Look at you. Your sister and I are here to help. Why the ingratitude?" Thea didn't believe Emmalie's kindness.
"You've seen my condition… Are you satisfied? Then leave and stop being an eyesore." Her tone was blunt.
Ivy was taken aback by the disdain on Thea's pale face. When did Thea become so distant? she thought, She doesn't even treat me as her mother!
Before Ivy could react, Emmalie poured Thea a glass of water. "Thea, you look dehydrated. Nicolas is terrible. Even though you weren't carrying his child, you're still his wife! He didn't even leave anyone to care for you…"
Their eyes met, Emmalie’s gaze laced with sarcasm. Thea's sharp gaze pierced the pretense. "Who told you the child wasn't Nicolas's?"
"The internet, Thea… I didn't expect you to cheat on him and get pregnant. You went too far."
Emmalie’s words reopened Thea’s wounds. This is absurd. I only slept with Nicolas. Who's spreading these rumors? Does Nicolas believe this nonsense? Her eyes narrowed. "Were you the one spreading rumors?"
The icy accusation sent a tremor through Emmalie. She dropped her cup. Ivy, however, ignored the spilled water and Thea’s pallor, shielding Emmalie. "How dare you shout at Emmalie? If you hadn't done those shameful things, you wouldn't be in this state!" Her coldness shocked Thea.
"Do you believe I did this?" Thea asked, a flicker of hope remaining that Ivy might show some maternal compassion, despite her obvious favoritism towards Emmalie.
Emmalie feigned sympathy. "Mom, I don't blame Thea. She's emotional after losing her baby."
Ivy, swayed by Emmalie's pretense, glared at Thea with disgust. "When has Thea ever cared about you? She's always been shameless. If you want to stay in this family, divorce Nicolas immediately. He still likes you, so tell him only Emmalie is worthy of being his wife!"
Thea was stunned. I just had a miscarriage, and she's already pushing me to divorce Nicolas? Instead of maternal love, she felt only malice from Ivy.
Emmalie's feigned concern only deepened Ivy's resentment. "Stop worrying about her. When has she ever considered your feelings? Nicolas should have been your husband. She stole him… Emmalie, leave this to me. Thea will agree!"