Kane felt a surge of panic at the thought of William recognizing Leopold in the crowd. He quickly grabbed William's hand, "William, how about we push the stroller together?"
With a toothy grin, William joined in, carefully pushing the stroller along.
Aurelia watched them with a protective eye, "Be careful, boys. Not too fast now."
"We got it, Mom," they chorused.
Nova, snug in the stroller, was in high spirits, cooing and kicking with glee. Kids always loved the company of other kids.
...
Back at her place, Megan was fuming. Jewel appeared at the door, "Pack your bags, and we're leaving now."
Megan's heart skipped a beat, "Where to?"
Jewel replied, "Your due date is in a couple of days. The boss has arranged a hospital for you to give birth in secret, to avoid any complications."
"Okay." Megan hurried upstairs and packed a large suitcase.
The boss had thought of everything. Megan thought Aurelia would love nothing more than to harm her baby.
If Aurelia so much as caused her child a single scratch, Megan would tear Kane to shreds.
As they were about to leave, two men in black suits blocked their path.
"Madam, Jessica has arranged a hospital for you to deliver. We're here to escort you."
Jewel tried to defuse the situation, "We just need to run some errands. We'll head to the hospital after."
"No need for errands, madam. You come with us," the man in black insisted.
A chilling thought struck Megan. Leopold had mentioned that once the baby was born, it would be sent abroad, severing ties with her.
She shivered and clung to Jewel, replying in a tremble voice, "I've already booked a hospital. Jessica needn't worry."
"We're leaving. Step aside," Jewel tried to push past the guards, but they stood firm, immovable as stone sentinels.
"Madam, it's best you come with us. If you don't deliver at the hospital Jessica chose, the baby will have no connection to the Stirling family."
Megan scoffed. If the child was sent abroad, it would be as good as lost to her. How could she ascend to the throne of the Stirling family then?
"The baby is mine, and nobody's taking him away from me." Megan insisted.
The guards exchanged looks, and then each grabbed an arm. If playing nice wouldn't work, they'd use force.
One of the gunmen quickly supported her, pushed her into another vehicle, and sped away.
In a secluded villa in the suburbs, Megan was rushed inside.
Doctors and nurses were ready for her.
She screamed through the pain, "Oh, it's unbearable... I think I'm dying..."
After grueling hours, the child was born.
The doctor and nurses exchanged a look, and one nurse took the baby away.
Downstairs, an elderly woman waited, holding a newborn in her arms.
The two infants were swiftly exchanged.
The old woman left with Megan’s baby, without leaving a trace, as silent as the night.
In Magnolia Heights, the men in black reported the day's events to Jessica.
She sighed softly, "What's fated to happen will happen. Heaven forgives the crimes of nature, but one's own crimes are unforgivable. It's just a shame for that innocent child."
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