Chapter 241

Nora felt her relationship with Daniel was like sinking into quicksand.
Every time she managed to pull herself out-just when she thought she was finally free-something dragged her back under again.
It was a relentless cycle, wearing down both her body and her spirit.
She wondered if it was because she’d taken Aurora’s place, living a life she never should have had. Updates are released by.net
Was this all just fate’s way of making her give it back?
“Aurora.” Daniel sighed, his voice soft. “Look, if we could just put Eleanor behind us, we could be happy together, couldn’t we?”
“Aurora was abandoned by her parents. That had nothing to do with Eleanor.” “My grandmother’s old now. The doctors warned us about her health.”
“The Quinns are bankrupt. That’s more than enough to make up for what your grandmother and Aurora suffered. You’ve already avenged them.”
“Why not start living for yourself, just this once?”
He was trying to talk her out of her pain, to persuade her to let go of the things that haunted her.
All he wanted was a peaceful, happy marriage-a family of three, sharing meals each day, nothing more, nothing less.
Nora turned her gaze to the man beside her.
He was born at the top of the world, always calculating, always putting advantage above all else.
So when Eleanor ran off with Hans, he didn’t hold a grudge; he even helped Eleanor chase her own happiness. Because the right alliance would always give him greater returns.
A man like that could even bargain with his own life. How could she ever trust in his so-called kindness?
Nora’s heart felt cold and hollow.
She glanced quietly at the IV drip.
“I’ll keep this child,” she said, her voice steady, “but I want you to stay out of my sight as much as possible. Once the baby’s born, we’re done. No debts, no ties.”
This time, she was resolute.
If she wanted to escape the quicksand, she had to cut everything off-completely.
As for the baby, she couldn’t bring herself to harm it, and Daniel was watching her closely anyway.
So she would have the child.
End everything. Start over.
Daniel’s dark eyes clouded. They’d had this argument so many times, and it always ended badly.
And the truth was, she felt nothing for the life growing inside her.
There was no point in arguing anymore.
“All right,” he agreed quietly.
“Afterward, I hope you’ll be good to him,” he said, glancing at her belly.
It was the last shred of motherly love he could hope for his child.
Nora’s answer was cool, almost indifferent. “Of course.”
True to his word, Daniel stopped coming to her hospital room after that.
Instead, the housekeepers looked after Nora.
It was a different kind of peace-an unspoken truce.
When Nora was discharged, she returned to North Manor.
Her outlook changed, and even her pregnancy symptoms eased.
She started taking walks after meals and sometimes listened to music, hoping it might soothe the baby.
Daniel rarely came home. He kept tabs on her through the house’s security cameras or videos sent by the staff.
Her cheeks regained their color, and she looked healthier with each passing day.
At her prenatal checkup, Ms. Temple told her the baby was doing much better than before.
Nora stroked her belly, smiled, and thanked her before letting a housekeeper help her out.
Once the office door closed, Daniel stepped out from behind the curtain.
Ms. Temple stood up and handed him the report.
“Mrs. Chambers is in good health, and the baby’s doing well, too.”
She knew how hard-won this child was.
She’d thought Mr. and Mrs. Chambers had finally found some happiness after all they’d suffered, but now the two didn’t even see each other anymore.
“Thank you,” Daniel said, scanning the report before carefully tucking it away.
Ms. Temple offered some advice. “Even though the baby’s still in the womb, he can sense things from the outside world. Mr. Chambers, you should try to spend more time with him.”
Daniel nodded and left the office.
He wanted to be there for his child. But Nora wouldn’t let him.