Female Novel
Chapter 460
Hearing those words, Edwin felt a tightness in his chest. He instantly fished out a cigarette from hispocket, lit it up, and took several deep drags. Then, in a somber tone, he said, "But Ian is the manshe loves, the father of her child. They've been through so much together and were finally about totie the knot. If Clara learns the truth, she'll live with guilt, even if she chooses to let go of pastgrievances. I can't bear to see her in pain like that."
"So, you're planning on hiding the truth?" came the probing question.
"If possible, I'd want to keep her in the dark forever."
Edwin's eyes glistened as he looked at Brodie. It was the best solution he could think of. His sisterhad been lost to them for so many years due to that car accident. Although Casey had always takengreat care of her, she had grown up without a mother's love, and Victoria's influence had beensignificant.novelbin
She had only just begun to feel a mother's love, to feel valued by the family. He didn't want toplunge her back into pain because of this revelation.
Brodie sighed, his gaze laden with meaning. "Don't forget, Clara's a lawyer. She'll sniff out anyinconsistency. Once Leonora's evidence is confirmed, this case needs to be reopened. She's well-known in the legal world, and now that she's been acknowledged by the York family, any little leakcould raise her suspicions."
Edwin stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray with force, his voice hoarse, "Then we take it onestep at a time. There has to be a better solution than sacrificing Clara's happiness."
He pondered for a few seconds before suddenly asking, "Do you really think Leonora is thatheartless? To push her own children together?"
Brodie looked thoughtful. "There might be another possibility that Ian isn't Leonora's biologicalchild."
With that suggestion, hope sparked in Edwin's eyes as he stood up abruptly. "I'll get the DNA testsdone on Ian and Leonora right away. Clara and he can't end up like this."
---
Clara hung up the phone, her mind cleared of doubts by Brodie's words. As she turned to leave, shesaw Marian entering with a delicately crafted wooden box.
"Clara, there's something else I need to give you. Your mother loved to keep diaries. These are herjournals from her whole life. I thought you might want to read them to understand her better. One ofthem is specifically about her pregnancy with you," Marian said.
Clara took the box from her grandmother and slowly opened it. Inside were several diaries, rangingfrom the pink covers of her mother's adolescence to the deep chestnut of her mature years.
She picked up the top journal and flipped it open. On the first page, in elegant handwriting, it read:
[My Second Pregnancy Diary – With Love, Your Mom May]
[Today, I went to the hospital, and the doctor says I'm six weeks pregnant. I'm so happy, my baby. Ipromise to eat more and keep you healthy and chubby.]
[We had a 4D scan today, and it's a girl. The heavens really favor me for giving me so many lovingfamily members, a husband who adores me, a well-behaved and understanding son, and now asweet daughter. My life is truly complete.]
[My little one, you've been in my belly for five months now, and you were with me at a pianocompetition where we won a big prize. You're amazing.]
[Do you really like Ian? Every time he comes around, you're the most active in my belly. I adore him,and if you do too, how about I arrange a childhood betrothal for you?]
[Darling, this necklace is a token of affection from Ian, considering your betrothal settled. I hope youfind happiness.]
[My precious daughter, you'll be born in a few days. I've prepared lots of cute clothes and toys foryou, and I've decorated your room beautifully – all hand-made by me. I'm so looking forward towelcoming you.]