Walking Away While Pregnant: Dear Ex-Husband, I Don't Love You Anymore novel Chapter 183

Chapter 183: Chapter 183

Jessica knew that what she was about to say next would inevitably come as a tremendous shock to Elise.

She sighed softly. "Miss Harper, I will tell you everything you want to know—everything that I know. But right now, you need to eat something first. Once your physical strength recovers, we can continue our conversation. I must prioritize your health."

Elise understood Dr. Sanders’s concerns. As a pregnant woman, she couldn’t afford to push herself too hard at any time.

"I understand. We’ll talk later."

Jessica nodded. "Alright. I’ll wait for you downstairs."

When Madeline walked upstairs carrying a steaming bowl of noodles freshly prepared by Mrs. Lander, she ran right into Jessica.

The two paused at the same time, their eyes meeting.

Jessica spoke up first, "I’ll be speaking with Miss Harper about a few matters in a bit."

"Speaking with her?" Madeline asked in confusion. "About what?"

"It concerns Mr. Bennett, as well as Miss Harper herself."

Madeline frowned, a flash of frustration washing over her at the thought of being misled. "Wait, didn’t you just tell me earlier that Dylan doesn’t discuss his personal family affairs with you?!"

Jessica let out a soft, helpless sigh. "It’s related to the kidnapping five years ago. While it is a personal family matter, it also happens to be my primary therapeutic assignment."

Therapeutic assignment?

Madeline was thoroughly baffled.

"The reason I’m telling you this," Jessica continued, her expression growing grave, "is to suggest that if you aren’t busy over the next few days, please stay a little longer. Mr. Bennett’s current whereabouts are unknown, and Miss Harper’s emotional state going forward... she will need someone by her side, ideally a close friend she can confide in, like you."

Madeline had initially felt a bit miffed, but Jessica’s sincere words quickly smoothed over her annoyance.

"Well, of course! Elise and I have been best friends since high school. Even though we went to different universities, we’ve always been there for each other whenever support was needed most!"

"I can tell," Jessica nodded. "That’s why Miss Harper really needs a companion right now, and I hope you will stay."

"I’m obviously staying, but..." Madeline looked at Jessica’s solemn demeanor, feeling a sudden surge of nervousness. "What on earth are you going to tell Elise? Can’t you give me a little head-up first?"

"It involves the private affairs of Mr. Bennett and Miss Harper, touching on patient privacy. I cannot disclose anything casually. I’m sorry."

Pressing her lips together, Madeline conceded. "Alright then. Let me bring these noodles inside to Elise first."

"Mhm."

In the upstairs sitting room, Elise sat at the dining table, eating the light noodle soup Mrs. Lander had personally cooked for her. She took bite after bite, looking as though her appetite had returned remarkably well.

Madeline sat across from her, resting her chin on her hand, intently watching her eat. Her mind raced with questions, but she ultimately didn’t dare to ask.

Elise finished the bowl of noodles quickly, leaving only a few gulps of broth behind. She set down her utensils and grabbed a few tissues to wipe her mouth.

As she put down the napkin, she raised her eyes to meet Madeline’s gaze. "Something on your mind you want to ask me?"

Madeline froze, then let out a sheepish smile. "Is it that obvious?"

Elise stood up, picking up the tray. "Once I get everything sorted out, I’ll explain it all to you in detail."

Hearing this, Madeline refrained from pressing further.

Since it involved the kidnapping from five years ago, Madeline didn’t quite have the courage to ask too much anyway. It was a painful past that still gave her chills whenever she recalled it.

Or rather, for Elise, who had lived through it, perhaps that nightmare had never truly ended.

Elise went downstairs to see Robin.

The moment the little boy saw her, he immediately tossed aside the toys in his hands and scrambled over to her on his tiny legs. Standing before her, the little child tilted his chin up, looking at Elise with wide, expectant eyes.

"Mommy."

His voice was very quiet, laced with bashfulness and a trace of nervousness.

He didn’t understand the complex adult world, but he clearly remembered having two different "mothers" before. This time, when everyone told him that his favorite Godmother was actually his real mother, he was overjoyed. Could it be that the wish he had made to the stars at night had finally come true?

"Mommy."

Robin walked over, frowning as he looked at the crying girl. He had just gotten his real mother back, and the warmth hadn’t even settled yet—he certainly didn’t want to share her!

"Lily, if you want a mommy, go home and ask your own daddy to find one for you!"

"I don’t want to... I... I’ve never had even one mommy! You’re so greedy, you’ve swapped mommies twice already, and I don’t even have one! I want a mommy too..."

"Those two weren’t my real mommies!"

Robin grew anxious too, tightly clutching Elise’s hand as he stared at Lily with a stern, dead-serious expression on his small face.

"Mistaking my mother was because my daddy was silly! I don’t care, this is my mommy! It won’t work even if you cry. Every kid has their own mommy, and you have your own too. If you want a mommy, go back home and ask your dad!"

Hearing Robin’s words, Lily burst into an even louder wail.

"Robin, you’re mean! You’re picking on me just because you have a mommy now... I want my daddy, I’m gonna tell daddy that you bullied me for not having a mommy..."

No one had expected the two children to end up arguing over having a mother.

Elise couldn’t bear to see Lily cry so sorrowfully, knowing how deeply the little girl craved maternal affection. Ever since she was old enough to understand things, Alexander had been the only parent by her side; she had always lacked a mother’s warmth. No matter how wonderfully Alexander treated her, a child’s innate longing for a mother was hardwired into them.

The very first time Lily met Elise, she had hugged her and called her "Mommy," proving how much she had desired one deep down, even if she couldn’t articulate it back then. Recently, her ability to express herself had improved drastically, so seeing Robin reunite with his real mother naturally triggered her own longing, magnifying her desire for a mother in an instant. Being so young, she didn’t know how to process those complex emotions, leaving crying as her only outlet.

Elise walked over to sit beside Jessica and signaled for her to place Lily onto her lap.

Once Lily was settled on Elise’s lap, she instinctively glanced at Elise’s slightly rounded belly, and her crying gradually subsided. Her daddy had told her before that there was a tiny baby inside Godmother’s belly who was very delicate, and she was afraid her loud cries might startle the little baby.

With her lips pouted, Lily suppressed her loud wails, her small body still trembling with minor hiccups. Seeing her try so hard to hold back her tears only made everyone’s heart ache more for her.

Elise gently stroked her head, comforting the little girl first before reasoning with her softly. Once Lily had calmed down completely, Elise turned to Robin and asked him to apologize to her.

Standing nearby and listening to Elise guide Lily, Robin realized that he had been too harsh just now, so he obediently apologized. Soon enough, the two children made up, holding hands happily as they ran off toward the backyard together.

Watching their lively, joyful backs, Elise murmured in a low voice: "If my daughter were still alive... she would probably look just like this."

At those words, Jessica turned her head, looking at her intently. "Robin is here. Perhaps... the other child is still alive as well?"