The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 457

Chapter 457

William’s eyes were red, but he had seen the child in the video too.

Al was advanced enough now to take almost anything. But the little boy’s expressions were too real. Too vivid. There was nothing artificial about him.

William was sure the video was real.

He looked at Chris in disbelief, then looked again at the child’s surroundings. The medical equipment. The isolation room.

How fragile did a child have to be to live like that?

For a moment, William’s heart ached so badly he couldn’t speak.

He was unrelated to the child, and even he felt like this.

How was Winter supposed to handle it?

Chris’s fingers tightened around the phone until his knuckles turned white. His other arm held Winter firmly as she teetered on the edge of collapse.

He had to give her time to take this in. If he brought her straight to Richie and let her see how weak the child was, how tiny his hand looked with an IV in it, Winter would break completely. Her body wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Chris drew a breath and said hoarsely, “More than a year ago, we almost lost him. It took a long time before he could even swallow and drink milk on his own. He’ll grow slowly from here.

“He weighs sixteen pounds now. He’s not quite twenty–eight inches tall, and he wears twelve–month clothes. He knows his nickname is Richie. I named him Harvey Xander, but if you don’t like it, we can change it. You can decide.”

Winter didn’t know whether it was his voice that calmed her or the tiny figure moving on the phone screen.

That little child seemed to pull at something deep inside her.

Through an invisible bond, she seemed to hear a heartbeat from long ago. Fast, steady, and familiar. Then came the memories of the prenatal checkups she had not dared to think about for more than a year.

“This is the baby’s heartbeat. It’s much faster than an adult’s.

“With such a beautiful mother, this little one is going to be adorable.

“That’s how 4D ultrasounds look. See? He’s pouting. Isn’t he cute? His features look a lot like yours.

“You’re almost full term. You must be excited to meet your baby soon.”

Gradually, Winter calmed down.

Tears slid silently down her face as she stared at the video. She slowly lifted a trembling hand and touched the screen.

The outfit the child was wearing caught her eye.

Her fingertips shook.

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