Chapter 86: Chapter 86
The next day, Flora woke up early, her hollow eyes staring blankly at the ceiling, her small hands unconsciously caressing her flat stomach. Inside, an unwelcome little life was quietly growing.
She absolutely couldn't keep it. If she had to blame someone, it would be the father, Maxwell, who was even worse than a bandit! But did she have the heart to abort this child? Her own flesh and blood!
She was still a student herself, and she couldn't possibly afford to secretly raise it. It would only harm this poor child. So, if she were rational enough, she should have the heart to abort it!
She gritted her teeth, made up her mind, and got up from the bed. After washing up, Auntie Grace had already prepared breakfast. She walked into Chloe's room and pulled her out of bed, urging her, "Chloe, don't sleep. Accompany Flora to the hospital."
"To the hospital?" Chloe jumped up from the bed and looked at her mother in confusion. "Did Flora decide to get an abortion? Are we going today? Doesn't she need a few more days to prepare mentally?"
"Of course, she's getting the abortion. Keeping it will only drag her down eventually. The sooner it's done, the sooner she can find peace. Hurry!" Auntie Grace urged.
"Mom, are you implying that I'm a burden to you?" Chloe pretended to be unhappy and said.
Auntie Grace glared at her and said, "Do I need to imply? How many times have I made it clear? You're just a burden, dragging my whole life down!"
"Oh, no... I'm hurt!" Chloe pouted and lay back on the bed, pretending to be sad. In fact, she understood very well that her mother was a woman with a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and she had always been her sweet burden!
Chloe was so beautiful, partly thanks to her mother. She imagined that her mother must have been a beauty in her youth, a beautiful woman who had been hurt deeply.
That's why she opposed Chloe working at the hotel and reminded her all the time to love herself and not to follow in her footsteps.
"Alright, stop making a fuss and get up." Auntie Grace impatiently patted her hand to urge her.
Sitting in the living room watching TV, Mrs. Smith heard footsteps coming up the spiral staircase and stood up from the couch, saying to Maxwell, "Maxwell, are you free today?"
"Aunt, what's the matter?" Maxwell glanced at Chiyoko sitting on the other side of the couch, feeling a little overwhelmed.
"Today is Chiyoko's follow-up appointment. Accompany her to the hospital." Mrs. Smith glanced at Chiyoko.
"Auntie..." Chiyoko stood up from the couch, walked up to Mrs. Smith, and pleaded, "Auntie, I'm not sick. My mental state has always been fine. I don't need to go to the hospital, really..."
She sounded anxious because she didn't want Maxwell to think there was something wrong with her mental health and despise her. When she was on the third floor, although she sometimes lost control of her emotions due to depression, most of her crazy behaviors were just an act. It was all to attract attention and sympathy so that she could step out of the third floor and live a normal life!
"Sweetheart, it's just a follow-up. It would be best if nothing is wrong." Mrs. Smith patted her hand to comfort her, but remembering Chiyoko's past episodes of madness made it difficult for her to believe that she was truly fine. Moreover, the doctor had mentioned during her initial examination that she had some symptoms of mild dissociation, which is why she recommended long-term treatment.
"Maxwell, go quickly. There won't be as many people there early." Mrs. Smith was no longer seeking Maxwell's opinion. Her tone carried an unmistakable firmness.
Maxwell could only agree and said to Chiyoko, "Let's go, we'll go now." He then walked straight towards the door.
Mrs. Smith gave Chiyoko a knowing look, and Chiyoko realized and hurriedly followed him out.
Going out with Maxwell! She could finally go out with him again. Chiyoko thought happily, no longer feeling resentful about whether or not she was being taken to the psychiatric department like a crazy person. To avoid a situation like last time, Chiyoko sat in the passenger seat of the car and looked at Maxwell with pitiful eyes as she spoke, "Maxwell, are you really free today?"
"What do you mean?" Maxwell stared at her, asking.
Chiyoko lowered her gaze innocently and whispered, "I'm scared of that place. If you don't accompany me, I don't want to go. I'd rather not go. I can wait until you're free one day to accompany me. That would be better." She was worried that once they arrived in W City, Maxwell would leave her with his subordinates again and run off himself. The memory of the last time made her feel so sad.
"You can rest assured, I am free today," Maxwell gritted his teeth and spoke. This woman didn't have any issues with her mind, she was clear and even knew how to threaten him into accompanying her.
"That's great, thank you, Maxwell!" Chiyoko exclaimed excitedly. She leaned forward, hugged his neck, and planted a kiss on his face.
Startled by her sudden action, Maxwell pushed her away with displeasure, started the engine, and slowly drove the car out of the Smith Family mansion, heading towards W City.
Standing behind the French window, Mrs. Smith had been secretly observing the two of them and a satisfied smile appeared on her face. It seemed like her plan was going to be successful. Maxwell would fall in love with Chiyoko again, and these past few days, he hadn't been frantically searching for Flora. How wonderful!
What she didn't know was that she was rejoicing too early because Maxwell hadn't given up on finding Flora. He had already discovered that Flora was working at the Moonlight Hotel. He was only using her for something, and eventually, one day, Flora would return to the Smith Family mansion to continue her unfinished life as a captive. This was Maxwell's latest plan!