Chapter 713 Help

“Lydia, I’m sorry.”

The nurse settled Lydia in the ward, and Sandra followed closely behind. Sandra then recounted to Lydia the events that had transpired in the corridor moments ago.

Upon hearing this, Lydia’s expression changed significantly. Her biological mother had once been Morton’s mistress. This revelation was truly beyond belief. Lydia’s emotions teetered on the brink of collapse. She could vividly envision how Charlotte would seek retribution against her in the days to come!

She demanded of Sandra, “Why didn’t you inform me of this earlier?”

Sandra stammered, “I…”

This was a matter she was too ashamed to broach.

Lydia cried, “You were aware that I was giving birth today and that Charlotte and Morton would be here. Why did you have to make an appearance and let them see you? Did you do this deliberately? Don’t you wish me well?”

Sandra tried to defend herself. “Lydia, you’re my daughter. Of course, I want you to be happy. I came here because I was worried about you.”

Lydia said, “You were worried about me? But now, everything’s in utter chaos because of you. How am I supposed to get along with the Aniston family from now on? What will people think of me? My biological mother is a gold-digger who’d sleep with anyone for money!”

Sandra flushed with embarrassment from Lydia’s scolding and said, “Lydia, how can you say such things to me? I just wanted to lead a better life. I didn’t want to resort to such means either. I was terrified of poverty during my childhood.”

“But I’m the one left to bear the brunt of this! Dalton didn’t like me to begin with. How am I supposed to face them in the future? You’ve ruined my marriage!” Lydia buried her head in her hands and broke down into heart-wrenching sobs.

Sandra disagreed. “But you’ve just given birth to a son, haven’t you?”

The nurse had come out earlier to inform them that Lydia had delivered a baby boy. Due to premature birth, the infant was rushed to the neonatal department for treatment and further examination.

“A son?” Lydia let out a cold laugh. “But my child has congenital heart disease. Even before his birth, the doctor warned me that he might not survive for long. Even if, by some stroke of luck, he manages to live up to one year old, he’ll have to undergo several heart surgeries. And each of these surgeries poses a life-threatening risk. Do you understand what this means? He’s an unhealthy child and won’t be able to live a normal life like other kids. Do you think the Aniston family would want a child like that?”

Sandra was taken aback. She had initially assumed the child was merely premature, never imagining the situation could be this dire. The baby had a heart condition. Lydia had risked her life to give birth, yet it seemed no one was hopeful about this baby. She felt deeply sorrowful.

She cocooned herself in the blanket and couldn’t hold back her sobs, on the verge of fainting. Sandra’s heart ached with pity, and she consoled. “Lydia, you’ve just given birth. You shouldn’t cry like this. It’s not good for your health…”

But Lydia paid her no heed, thinking that all of today’s events were Sandra’s doing. Lydia shouted angrily, “You are not my mother. Leave! I will disown you!”

Sandra exclaimed in disbelief, “I gave birth to you. How can you do that?”

“I never asked to be born to you,” Lydia said plaintively. “In what way am I not better than Meryl? Just because I’m not Bianca’s biological daughter, everyone looks down on me now! I’ve endured so much because of you. From now on, even the Aniston family will loathe me. What do you expect me to do?”

Sandra, too, was in tears. This was not the outcome she had hoped for.

Lydia shrieked. “Get out! Leave my ward! I never want to see you again! From this day forward, we’re severing all ties!”

Regarding the matter of the fake young lady of the Stone family, although Lydia had benefited from it, she had lived in constant fear and anxiety over the years. Ever since Meryl was taken back to the Stone family at the age of fourteen, Lydia had never known peace, all because of her false identity. When Sandra swapped her with Meryl, Lydia was merely a newborn with no self-awareness and had no say in her fate.

The first time Sandra found Lydia, she was only nine years old, in the third grade of primary school. Faced with Sandra, who suddenly claimed to be her biological mother, Lydia didn’t believe her words. At first, she ignored Sandra. But after that, Sandra often came to see her, which severely disrupted Lydia’s life. Lydia wanted to tell Bianca about this, but she was terrified that what Sandra said might be true. It was only one day when the paternity test results confirmed that Lydia was indeed Sandra’s daughter. Originally, Lydia thought this would remain a secret between her and Sandra, but then Meryl was found.

Over the years, Lydia had constantly targeted Meryl because she was afraid that Meryl would take away everything she had. Therefore, Lydia kept trying to drive a wedge between Meryl and the Stone family until Meryl became estranged from them all. However, John was an exception.

Lydia felt that her life was a complete mess. She had managed to break free from her original family and marry the man she loved, but now, due to Sandra, her relationship with Dalton had become even more awkward. The Aniston family’s attitude was clear. When Lydia emerged from the operating room, there wasn’t a single person outside, which showed that the Aniston family disliked her and, even more so, the baby she had given birth to.

Watching Lydia in such a miserable state, Sandra was heartbroken. Sandra said, “Lydia, what can I do to ease your pain? Please don’t disown me, okay? You’re all I have…”

Ever since her relationship with Malcolm was exposed, Malcolm had completely cut off contact with Sandra in an attempt to please Bianca. Naturally, the flower shop she ran with Malcolm’s support could no longer stay in business. In her middle age, if even Lydia abandoned her, Sandra felt that her life would lose all meaning. Sandra was already in her fifties. She could no longer rely on her looks to attract men, and she had no friends.

Lydia wept and said, “Fine, then do something for me. If you can do it, I’ll forgive you.”

Sandra immediately asked, “What is it?”

“Go and swap Meryl’s baby with mine.”

Sandra was shocked.

Lydia stared at Sandra, saying sinisterly, “This shouldn’t be difficult for you. You did it once over twenty years ago, didn’t you? You’re bound to succeed a second time. Having a healthy child is my only hope.”