Chapter 222

"That's my brother's last gift to the world. Nicolas, don't you want to know where that child is now?" Stephanie's face was pale and tense. She had never mentioned this to Nicolas before, fearing it would distract him, even though the child was her own nephew. But now, this was her only chance for a comeback.

Nicolas's eyes darkened. "Before Vergil passed away, he didn't even have a girlfriend. How could he have a child?"

Stephanie's doubt didn't ease her; it fueled her. This was her opportunity. Her once beautiful face became ferocious. "Nicolas, I won't lie to you. This child is related to you. When you were overseas, you were repeatedly targeted. My brother tasted your food and drink beforehand to check for poison. Once, he was drugged. He found a waitress who helped him, and afterward, she contacted me, claiming the child was my brother's. I had a paternity test done; it's true. Nicolas, I don't care if you don't care about me, but are you going to abandon my brother's child?"

Nicolas's eyes turned cold. He'd never denied Vergil's help in the past. However, thinking of Thea, still recovering in the hospital, a rare struggle showed on his face. "Where is the child?"

Stephanie didn't answer directly. She smiled slightly. "Nicolas, if the child I was carrying hadn't died, they would have been good friends, right? Thea's incident a life for a life."

Nicolas thought, How dare she mention Thea again! His eyes narrowed as he lifted Stephanie from the ground. He forcefully gripped her thin neck, making breathing difficult. "Stephanie, this is your last chance. As long as it doesn't violate my principles, you can name any conditions. Will you say it or not?"

Stephanie, now a stranger to Nicolas, struggled against his grip. "Is Thea your bottom line? Nicolas, if I ask you to divorce her and be with me to raise my brother's child, will you agree?"

Nicolas's lips tightened. Silence was his answer. Even Darwin sighed; he thought Stephanie was too greedy. Less demanding conditions might have swayed Nicolas for Vergil's sake. But Stephanie wanted to be Nicolas's wife—impossible.

"Stephanie, now is not the time to negotiate," Nicolas said coldly, a chill Stephanie had never felt before. Tears fell onto his hand as she closed her eyes. "Nicolas, sometimes I don't understand what Thea did to you. She saved you once. How have you fallen for her? She's notorious in Key Biscayne!"

Mentioning Thea brought a flash of warmth to Nicolas's face. "I know Thea better than you. The public is slandering her. She's the kindest person in the world! Only she would help me when she was in a similar situation. She's the only one with pure feelings for me, never asking for anything in return. She wouldn't treat me differently because of my position at Hendrix Group." The light in his eyes stung Stephanie.

She shook her head, blushing. "Nicolas, I won't compete with Thea anymore. My condition is simple: my brother died for you, and his child deserves your name. That's not too much, is it?"

Even without Stephanie saying it, Nicolas would have done the same. Thea had just lost her child; another child could bring warmth. Even if it couldn't fully heal Thea's pain, it could offer comfort.

Stephanie continued, "I haven't told the child his father is dead. I don't want anyone to suspect he's not a Hendrix. I want him to have a normal childhood. As his aunt and only family, I request visiting rights."

Her request wasn't unreasonable. Nicolas, eager to return to Thea, left the details to Darwin. Darwin watched Nicolas go, sighing. Nicolas was helpless; Vergil's kindness was immense, and Nicolas was loyal. Darwin worried Thea would misunderstand. No one wants to adopt a child immediately after a miscarriage. But Nicolas and Thea's relationship was beyond Darwin's interference.

Nicolas rushed to the hospital, encountering the nurse Thea had dismissed. "Mr. Hendrix, please persuade Mrs. Hendrix. She's stubborn, immersed in sorrow. She won't eat. Her body is weak; her wound won't heal."

The untouched food was on a plate. Thea sat dazed at the head of the bed, unresponsive to the knock. Her pale face tortured Nicolas.

"Thea, I failed to protect you but I don't want to see you punish yourself because of my mistake," he said softly.

Thea's eyes focused. "Nicolas, someone said I can't get pregnant again. Is that true?" She seemed fragile.

Nicolas took her hand. "Who said that? Thea, don't listen to them. I've found the best doctor. As long as you eat and recover, you'll have another baby."

His consolation was ineffective. Thea met his gaze. "They also said you don't believe this child was yours. Nicolas, tell me do you believe me?"