Brandon and Phoebe waited outside the ER for ages before Madison and Christopher showed up. Later, Sarah arrived with Alice’s help. When Sarah saw the dark brown bloodstains on Brandon, she started praying.

“How did you fall down the stairs and lose so much blood? Brandon, what happened?” Sarah asked.

Brandon, with dry, cracked lips, replied, “Mom, Taylor’s still being renewed resuscitated. I don’t want to talk about it now.”

Sarah was furious. She saw Madison crying uncontrollably while Christopher comforted her. Finally, Sarah looked at Phoebe and said, “Phoebe, come here.”

Phoebe knew she couldn’t avoid it. She glanced at Brandon, who nodded. She then went over to support Sarah and said, “Grandma, let’s sit and talk.”

Madison, worried Phoebe would take credit, quickly ran over and threw herself into Sarah’s arms. “Grandma, my dad cheated. He has a love child older than Theodore. My mom must have been upset and fell from upstairs.” Now, Phoebe didn’t have to figure out how to break the news to Sarah.

Sarah was stunned and looked at Brandon. She didn’t know what he had been up to, but she did know about Bishop.

When Brandon got married, Marlowe showed up pregnant, just missing the wedding car. Sarah gave Marlowe a lot of money to abort the child and stay away from Brandon.

Sarah didn’t expect Marlowe to be so resilient. Not only did she not abort the child, but she also gave birth to him.

Now, Marlowe had reconnected with Brandon through the child. Sarah had underestimated Marlowe.

Phoebe noticed Sarah’s calm expression and thought Sarah might have known all along. So, Taylor was the last to find out.

“Madison, don’t cry. Tell me everything,” Sarah gently patted Madison’s back.

Madison, finally able to vent, cried, “That love child is named Bishop Reynolds. He’s more than half a year older than Theodore. If you don’t believe me, ask my dad. He locked me in the office last night and took my phone so I couldn’t tell my mom.”

Sarah frowned and looked at Brandon. “What’s going on? You tell me. Don’t let Madison speak.”

Brandon glanced at Phoebe and Alice. Alice quickly said, “Sarah, Phoebe, and I will ask the nurse when the surgery is over.

Sarah said, “Go ahead.”

Phoebe and Alice left the ER, walked through the long corridor, and arrived at the garden. It was winter, and the garden was full of withered branches and leaves, looking desolate.

Alice, curious, asked, “Phoebe, you work at the company every day. Did you know about this? Brandon kept it so well hidden. A love child older than Theodore-that’s the Reynolds family’s first child.”

“Theodore is the rightful first child of the Reynolds family,” Phoebe said firmly.

Alice was startled. “What’s with you? I was just curious. Brandon always seemed so upright, but he had a love child all along. No wonder Taylor was so upset she fell from upstairs. You have no idea, the blood at home…” “Alice, I gotta go,” Phoebe cut her off, turned, and walked away.

Alice glared at her retreating figure, muttering, “What’s her problem? If Theodore’s position is threatened, she’ll freak out.”

Feeling troubled, Phoebe headed to the hospital lobby and sat on a bench. It was noon, and the place was bustling. Hospitals never lacked business.

Phoebe watched patients pass by, some anxious, some devastated. Such was life.

Compared to life and death, love seemed less important.

Lawton walked briskly into the hospital. When he saw a familiar figure in the lobby, he changed direction and approached the bench. “Ms. Ziegler?” Lawton called softly.

Phoebe turned to see Lawton. She stood up. “Why are you here?”

“Mr. Reynolds called me. Why are you sitting here? The ER must be chaotic,” Lawton asked.

Phoebe replied, “It already was.”

Lawton looked puzzled, but Phoebe didn’t explain. “Mr. Reynolds is waiting for you. Go ahead. I’ll sit here for a bit.”

“Aren’t you coming?” Lawton asked.

Phoebe shook her head. “I’ll stay here. Go on. Don’t keep him waiting. He’s not in a good mood.”

Lawton hurried away.

Phoebe sat back down. Soon, she heard the sound of a gurney’s wheels. She looked up.

A group was rushing with the gurney, and she saw Theodore following it. His eyes were glued to Vanessa on the gurney, afraid she’d disappear if he blinked. Phoebe felt a dull pain in her chest. She watched them disappear and suddenly felt nauseous.

She dry-heaved but couldn’t vomit, only tears. A nearby person said, “Are you pregnant? Here, take a tissue.”

Phoebe looked up to see a kind woman offering a tissue. She took it and said, “Thanks. I’m not pregnant. Maybe I ate something bad.”

“It’s okay. You’re still young. Are you married?” the woman asked.

Phoebe nodded.

The woman continued, “No rushThere’s nothen. Young people like to enjoy their time together. But why no ring? I heard young folks today are all about ceremony.” Phoebe was taken aback.

The man next to the woman tugged at her. “Stop asking. You’re making her uncomfortable.”

The woman said, “I’m just curious.”

“It’s our turn. Let’s get the medicine,” the man said, pulling her away.

Phoebe watched them leave. The man clearly cared for the woman, always protecting her from bumps.

Phoebe felt a pang of emotion.

‘Would Theodore and I be like that when we’re old? Probably not. By then, the person by Theodore’s side might not be me.’ Thinking this, Phoebe’s heart ached again.

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