It was raining heavily in Yarrowmere that night. Willow sat on the living room couch as her hand rested gently on her pregnant belly, her gaze somewhat lost in thought. Due toplications with one of the two babies she carried, the doctor had suggested an early hospital stay, with the possibility of an emergency C–section to ensure the well–being of both mother and babies. Heather busied herself with packing nearby, getting ready for the Hospital stay the next morning.

    Upon noticing Willow’s absentmindedness, Heather walked over and gently held her hand, saying, “It’ll be alright, Willow. Timothy has already contacted the blood bank, too. Though Rh–negative blood is rare, they have adequate supplies. And in case of an early C–section, I’ve already contacted Mrs. Gibson, who shares the same blood type and has kindly offered her assistance in an emergency.”

    Willow gently caressed her belly and murmured, “I’m just worried about the babies.”

    That devastating fire had not only imed Grace’s life, but it had also impacted the health of Willow’s unborn child. It was to the point where the doctor had strongly advised ending the pregnancy, foreseeing potential health issues at birth.

    Willow couldn’t bring herself to do it, though, especially since Julian had always affectionately referred to the unborn child as Landon,” the one for whom Grace had lovingly made tiny baby shoes. Thankfully, after six months, the baby’s health showed improvement.

    Heather’s heart ached a little, realizing that the child who had been in Willow’s womb for nine months was almost ready to enter the world. It was no longer just a fetus but a baby in every way that mattered.

    Having chatted for a while, Heather returned to her room, leaving Willow in the care of two healthcare nurses.

    Having read for a while, Willow decided she wanted some fresh air on the balcony. Thenb, /bthe nurse carefully draped a light shawl over her shoulders and advised softly, “You shouldn’t stay out there for too long since it’s quite chilly tonight.”

    Willow nodded in assent.

    Though the rain didn’t reach the balcony, the mingled scents of damp soil and falling rain filled the air, bringing Wow a sense of peace andfort. She rested a hand on the railing, the other gently cradling her pregnant belly, her features softened with a tender expression. She then offered a silent prayer for the safety and health of her two unborn children.

    Her thoughts were also filled with Grace. She had hoped that once the twins turned two months old, she could bring them to Brindley to visit Grace, who would have been delighted to see them Had she still been alive, Grace would have definitely made baby clothes for the twins as well.

    Her eyes couldn’t help but well up with tears at the thought of Grace’s kindness and familial love before her gaze unintentionally settled on the front gate of the Chapman residence

    That rainy night resembled a vast nightscape painting stretched across the expanse. She noticed a tall, slender figure d in ck standing in front of the front gate of the Chapman residence, his white shirt a solitary ssh of brightness. Though he was far off, Willow knew instantly that it was Julian. 1

    It was following that incident that Julian made it a point toe to the Chapman residence daily or apany her to the hospital, always keeping a respectful distance and simply watching her.

    Willow merely regarded him silently from a distance. It was clear that the feelings she had once had for him were now almost entirely gone. Her thoughts of Julian were consumed by the memory of that fiery night, the devastating image of Grace’s death, and a profound, unending hatred.

    She had no desire to see him. She held her pregnant belly and said to the nurse at her side, “I would like to head in now.” Having heard that, the nurse gently supported Willow into the house.

    Julian stood outside the front gates of the Chapman residence in his white shirt, with a ck trench coat worn over it. He remained in the downpour without an umbre, his gaze fixed on the spot where Willow had vanished. It was at that moment that the drizzle felt like needles striking against his skin, like fragments bof /bpainful memories piercing him one by one.

    It was alreadyte into the night when Julian finally returned to his vi.

    Upon entering the living room, Julian noticed Mnie surrounded by eight suitcases, instructing the household staff to take them upstairs. She was meticulously sorting out the baby clothes and toys in one of the suitcases.

    Julian moved closer, his hand lightly grazing baby clothes and toys before asking softly, “What brings you here sote?”

    Mnie nced at him sideways and replied, “It rained, so my flight got dyed.”

    Upon seeing Julian’s deste state, Mnie asked gently, “How about a little something to eat? I can prepare some mac and cheese for you. I know you’re going through a rough period right now, but even if Willow can’t forgive you immediately, the birth of healthy babies, especially twins, is wonderful news.

    “You need to stay strong and help look after them as they grow up, Julian. You see, familiarity breeds fondness, after all. I believe that over time, be it a year, two years, or ten, Willow will eventuallye around.”

    Julian merely smiled faintly in response.

    Mnie set down the things she was organizing and then went into the kitchen. Julian, on the other hand, gently caressed the tiny clothes. They were all a lovely shade of pink and looked incredibly cute.

    It wasn’t long before Mnie appeared with a bowl of mac and cheese, which she had topped with Julian’s favorite toppings.

    Julian took off his trench coat and sat down at the dining table. He then silently ate his mac and cheese with his head lowered.

    Mnie continued to organize the baby clothes, meticulously folding each item with a tender expression.

    She then grumbled to Julian, saying, “I asked your father toe along, but he absolutely insisted on waiting two more days. I

    nb, /bno matter honestly think there’s a vixen back in Brindley who has him so under her spell he can’t bring himself to leave. how urgent things are back in Brindley, surely it can’t be more important than Willow delivering the babies, right?”

    Having finished his mac and cheese, Julian instinctively reached for a cigarette.

    Mnie immediately stopped him, saying, “You’re not allowed to smoke in the vi. You wouldn’t want the baby clothes smelling like cigarettes, right? In any case, from this point forward, you’re not allowed to smoke in front of Willow or the children.”

    Julian chuckled briefly before returning the cigarette to its pack. It was then that his phone suddenly rang–and it was Esther who had called.

    Esther said urgently, “Ms. Harper went intobor early.”

    Upon hearing that, Mnie dropped the baby clothes in her hands. She had finally realized what was happening, only to find that Julian had already left the vi with the car keys.