Chapter 320

The next day, Cynthia visited Lilian and Filly's home. Their baby had been in an incubator for two weeks and had come home the previous day.

Pamela had been feeling conflicted. Nothing about Indian ever felt right to her, but she never imagined Lilian would die. Now, the baby was motherless from birth, a thought that pained her deeply.

Filip was distraught, locking himself in his room and refusing meals.

Pamela confided in Cynthia, "How did I end up with a son like Filip? He's a mess! He locks himself away, drinks excessively, and seems to have given up."

Cynthia responded gently, "Maybe he hasn't recovered yet. Let's give him time."

Filip had previously mentioned Lilian's deception—drugging, threatening, and manipulating him. He'd even wanted to strangle her. Yet, after her death, his heartbroken reaction was unexpected. His true feelings for Lilian, perhaps, only he knew.

Pamela sighed, "He's upset, but he's a man. Men should be strong and support their families, especially now. What really upsets me is that he hasn't even looked at the child since he was born."

Cynthia was surprised. Filip hadn't visited the baby in the hospital, and still avoided him at home. She wondered if seeing the baby reminded him of Lilian, but quickly dismissed the thought.

Cynthia went to the nursery. The Yates family employed two nannies. The baby, recently fed, was asleep.

Cynthia and Pamela watched him. He'd gained weight since the hospital and looked healthier, though still small and delicate.

Pamela sighed, "He's such a sweetheart. He eats, sleeps, and never fusses. A true angel."

Looking at the baby's face, Pamela smiled. She hadn't liked Lilian and hadn't planned to help with the child. But now, seeing his tiny arms, legs, and chubby cheeks, her heart melted. She was captivated.

At the hospital, she visited daily. Now, at home, she couldn't bear to put him down. Despite the nannies, Pamela, as grandmother, insisted on helping.

Cynthia gently touched the baby's chubby cheeks. "Have you chosen a name?"

Pamela shook her head. "That's Filip's job. He can't ignore it. You should talk to him. Your opinion might be more effective than ours."

Chapter 320

Cynthia gazed at the baby's serene face. He no longer looked wrinkled; though still slender, he was more appealing. His skin was exceptionally fair.

"He doesn't resemble Lilian," Cynthia observed, "but his features are like Filip's. Look at his nose."

Pamela was pleased. "Yes, just like little Filip. Adorable! The nose and mouth are Filip's, but the eyes are…"

Pamela hesitated, almost saying the child resembled Cynthia. She'd raised Cynthia and deeply loved her as a child, always wanting a daughter. She remembered Cynthia as a newborn, and saw a resemblance in the baby's eyes.

Pamela sensed fate but didn't voice it. Cynthia was married and had established boundaries with Filip; such a statement would be inappropriate.

Pamela smiled softly. "The eyes are like Lilian's—big, bright, and innocent."

Cynthia felt a softening of her heart, yet inexplicable sadness.

Leaving the nursery, Cynthia paused outside Filip's room. She knocked; there was no answer. She opened the door.

Filip lay on the floor amidst liquor bottles. The room reeked of alcohol and tobacco. Cynthia stepped over the bottles, nudged Filip's arm, and asked, "Haven't you had enough?"

His eyes were open, but his expression was dull.

"Lilian is gone. You can't bring her back. Pull yourself together. You have a child who's lost his mother. Are you going to neglect him too? You're not a child anymore. Stop hiding."

Filip remained motionless. Cynthia lost patience, dragged him to the bathroom, and turned on the cold shower, drenching his face.

"Are you even a man? You've been like this since childhood, collapsing at every challenge. Luke, the shooter, is dead. There's a mastermind trying to kill me, and Lilian shielded me. While you wallow, the real killer is still out there! You don't care about justice for Lilian, or even the child. You're selfish and ineffectual!"

The cold water revived Filip. After a pause, he asked, "Who wants to kill you?"

Cynthia was surprised by his concern. Seeing he'd sobered, she turned off the water.

"Shirley," she said calmly.

Surprise flashed in his eyes.

"I won't let her get away with this. Lilian didn't die in vain. Pull yourself together. Didn't you hate Lilian and wish she were dead? Now she is, so stop moping."