Will carefully wiped the tears streaming down my face. "Enough now. If you keep crying, it'll tear me apart. When everything is settled tomorrow, I'll come with you to see Paula."

Each sob tore through me, leaving me gasping for air. Suddenly, I sank my teeth into Will's arm. A hiss escaped him, but he made no move to resist.

As the metallic tang of blood spread across my tongue, I pulled away.

"Will… do you ever dream of Mia in the dead of night?"

He paused, his features hardening. After a moment, he held me gently in his arms. "Louise, try to stay strong. We'll have more children of our own someday."

…

The next morning, Jeremy came to pick me up for the press conference.

As soon as we entered the venue, the reporters wasted no time shoving their microphones right in my face.

"Mrs. O'Hara, what makes you believe the son of your husband's savior is responsible for your child's death? Do you have any proof to back up these allegations?"

"Mrs. O'Hara, could jealousy be influencing your accusations against Ms. McGrath and her son?"

Peter stood behind the reporters, silently urging me forward with his eyes. Jeremy passed me the microphone, while Will nudged my waist.

I took the microphone almost on autopilot. Sticking to the script, I offered my clarification and apology.

But before I could finish, the reporters unleashed a storm of biting questions.

"Mrs. O'Hara, are you genuinely sincere in admitting your mistake?"

"Why are you reading from a script? Is your apology heartfelt, or are you just caving to public pressure?"

The pointed questions and flashing cameras overwhelmed me. I stepped back, only to see Will blocking my way.

Out of nowhere, a hand clutched my skirt.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. O'Hara. My mother only brought me to Ardenfield for medical treatment. We never meant to snatch Mr. O'Hara away from you.

"That day, Mia accidentally fell into the water. I didn't push her. Please, forgive me."

As soon as Finn finished speaking, the reporters immediately shifted their microphones toward him.

Violet reacted instantly. While apologizing to me, she scooped Finn into her arms and started backing away.

Without hesitation, Jeremy's team stepped in to create a protective barrier around them.

The reporters quickly turned their attention back to me, firing questions about whether jealousy had driven my accusations.

Just as Violet began to walk away, a gold pendant slipped from Finn's neck and fell to the floor.

My eyes widened the moment I spotted it. Instinctively, I lunged forward, reaching out to grab it.

But Violet was faster. She snatched it away before I could.

Just then, Will stepped in and held me firmly. "Have you forgotten about Paula?" he whispered.

From the crowd, a voice shouted, "This vile woman just tried to attack someone in front of all these witnesses! It's obvious she never intended to apologize sincerely."

"Exactly. Who could be that heartless?"

Suddenly, a water bottle was hurled onto the stage. The moment it struck my shoulder, a gasp escaped me.

Without warning, the crowd surged forward, their fury spilling over.

Will and Jeremy swiftly stepped in to escort Violet and Finn to safety.

Meanwhile, the enraged crowd grabbed at my arms. Filled with despair, I looked ahead, only to see that Peter was already gone.

As the crowd pressed tighter around me, I was shoved to the ground, blows raining down on me like a fierce storm.

I instinctively shielded my belly, my voice shaking with fear.

"No… Will! Jeremy! Peter! Please… save me!

"Save the baby…"

However, my cries were lost in the chaos. No one heard me.

Suddenly, I felt warm liquid spreading beneath me.

My child was in danger.

After what felt like forever, the crowd finally noticed the blood soaking my skirt. With frightened screams, they scattered in all directions.

Still, no one moved to call for help. Eventually, it was the staff who took action and dialed 911.

When we arrived at the nearest hospital, the ambulance was stopped at the gate.

"Sorry, we're not accepting patients today," the security guard said.

The doctor's expression grew tense. "The patient in the back is pregnant and suffering from severe hemorrhage. If we don't get her inside now, the baby won't survive! What kind of hospital refuses to treat someone in critical condition?"

Still, the guard refused to budge.

"Sorry, but this is Joplin Group's private hospital. Mr. Joplin's child has just been admitted with a medical emergency. He's made it clear that no other patients are to be accepted. There's nothing we can do."

My face drained of color, and pain surged through my head. Despite it all, I gritted my teeth and spoke to the guard.

"My name is Louise Joplin, the rightful heiress of the Joplin family. Let us through!"

The guard shifted uneasily, hesitation written all over his face. "I'm sorry, miss. Unless Mr. Joplin gives his approval, I can't let anyone in. Please don't force our hand."

Clutching my abdomen, I pulled out my phone and dialed Peter's number.

Just as the call was about to disconnect automatically, someone finally picked up.

"Peter, I'm outside the hospital and badly hurt. Please tell security to let me in. If I don't get inside soon, my baby won't survive!"

Before I could say more, Will's mocking voice came through the line.

"Louise, stop making such a fuss. It's just a water bottle that hit your arm. A little ointment from the pharmacy will fix it.

"Why are you making up stories about being pregnant now? I know your body better than anyone. You've had trouble conceiving in the past. It's impossible that you're expecting now.

"Finn was terrified when you lunged at him earlier. He's being tested as we speak. When he's well, we'll get back to you."

With that, Will ended the call.

I stared at the blank screen, my heart heavy with sorrow. I tried calling again, but the line went unanswered.

The guard hurried us along without hesitation. "Mr. Joplin has made his instructions clear. There's nothing I can do here. You'll have to go to a different hospital."

The nearest one was almost half an hour away.

Somewhere along the way, the world faded to black as I lost consciousness.

When I came to, I found myself lying in a bed, an IV drip connected to my arm.

The medical chart next to me delivered the harsh truth—I suffered a miscarriage.

Without a moment's notice, the door to the ward burst open. I glanced over and saw Linda Hernandez, my grandmother's caregiver.

My chest tightened. Before I could utter a word, tears spilled down her face. "Ms. Joplin, I'm so sorry... Ms. Hilliker has passed away."

My heart plunged into a dark, bottomless void.

How could this be?

Just then, Linda handed me a small gift box.

"This morning, Ms. Hilliker saw the news and collapsed from anger. Despite the doctors' efforts, she didn't make it.

"Before they took her to the operating room, she held my hand tightly and kept pointing at this box. I knew she wanted me to give it to you.

"I called you repeatedly, but no one answered. When someone finally picked up and told me you were at the hospital, I came as quickly as I could."

Seeing the gift box beside me, my hands began to tremble. I couldn't bring myself to open it.

…

By the next day, I was discharged from the hospital.

I was left alone to handle my grandmother's funeral arrangements. Peter's phone went unanswered, and Will was nowhere to be found.

After the final visitors from the nursing home left, I found myself alone beside my grandmother's portrait. I carefully opened the gift box she so lovingly prepared for me.

Inside was a delicate handkerchief, every stitch embroidered with her affection.

As I held it in my hands, the tears finally came.

At the bottom of the box, I found a slip of paper with a series of numbers.

The number didn't ring any bells, but since my grandmother had left it there, it had to mean something important.

Curious, I decided to make the call.

Almost immediately, someone picked up.

"Who's been bothering you?" asked the voice over the line.