CHAPTER 152: CHAPTER 152: SHOULDN’T HAVE GIVEN BIRTH TO ME

Shannon Quinn hadn’t spoken yet when Julian Yardley displeasedly said to Catherine Yardley, "You just care about whether she’s cold, aren’t you afraid your own son might be cold?"

Catherine Yardley retorted irritably, "That’s because you don’t listen."

"Maybe you really did pick me up from the trash heap."

Sheila Yardley added, "No one would pick you up even if you were thrown into the trash heap."

With jokes and chatter, the atmosphere remained lively.

Shannon Quinn and Catherine Yardley each had their own thoughts.

Catherine Yardley cautiously picked some food for Shannon Quinn, and seeing that she didn’t resist, asked her, "Why are you still here alone today? Aren’t you going home?"

Shannon Quinn looked at the food Catherine Yardley had placed in her bowl, paused for a moment, and didn’t reply.

It was evident from her tone that Catherine Yardley was very careful, especially when mentioning the word "home".

Thinking the situation at Shannon Quinn’s home was complicated and not easy to discuss, Sheila Yardley said to Catherine Yardley, "Mom, hurry up and eat."

Catherine Yardley worriedly glanced at Shannon Quinn; even though she couldn’t acknowledge her, she hoped her child would lead a happy life.

She’d seen the news recently, but she believed Shannon Quinn wasn’t like that, and certainly had her own hardships and helplessness, just like she had back then...

During the meal, Sheila Yardley went to the bathroom, while Julian Yardley went outside to answer a call, leaving only Shannon Quinn and Catherine Yardley at the table.

That’s when Catherine Yardley hesitated to speak, saying to Shannon Quinn, "I know you won’t forgive me, but I just hope you’re doing well."

Shannon Quinn smiled, picked up a napkin, and wiped her mouth, saying, "Do you think I’m doing well?"

Catherine Yardley bit her lip in guilt, looking at her, unsure how to make amends.

"You really shouldn’t have given birth to me back then."

When Shannon Quinn said this, she wasn’t only thinking about herself but also the child in her womb.

If her own life was unstable, how could she provide a peaceful life for her child?

Perhaps it was because she had similar experiences that she could harden her heart to abandon this child, fearing one day her child might say these words to her.

Catherine Yardley looked at her painfully, recalling the past; her eyes turned red, yet she knew, no matter what she went through back then, it wasn’t a reason to abandon her child.

"When I first conceived you, you were like a ray of light in your father and my life. I thought the three of us would have a happy life. Back then, I was also a young girl full of hope for the future. In the eighth month of my pregnancy, your father had an accident... if it hadn’t been for you, I might have chosen to leave with your father."

"I couldn’t accept your father’s passing. You were my only hope of being born, but without your father, I didn’t know what life would be like after having you. I couldn’t bear to let you suffer with me, so I secretly sent you to the welfare center..."

As Shannon Quinn heard this, her expression was calm, though her heart was somewhat unsettled.

This was the first time she heard Catherine Yardley talk about the past and her father.

Whatever grudges existed back then didn’t matter to her now.

No matter who’s right or wrong, finding out won’t change anything.

"Shannon..."

"Mom, what’s wrong again?" Sheila Yardley returned, seeing Catherine Yardley’s tearful face, thinking she’d said something bad to Shannon Quinn.

Catherine Yardley wiped her eyes with her hand, smiling, "I haven’t had spicy food in a long time; it’s a bit spicy."

"Then eat less and drink this soup; the doctor had already advised against having overly flavored things."

Shannon Quinn watched Catherine Yardley’s attitude towards Sheila Yardley and Julian Yardley. It was clear she seemed like a competent mother.

Perhaps when Catherine Yardley decided to give birth to her, she felt the same way Shannon felt now, hoping to provide a beautiful future for her child despite the harsh reality forcing her to make a cruel choice.

After dinner, Shannon took Catherine Yardley back to the hospital and stayed for a while before leaving.

When Sheila Yardley walked her out of the hospital, she revealed some details about Catherine Yardley’s recent condition, stating her health wasn’t stable, and she might not have much time to wait for a suitable kidney transplant. If they don’t perform surgery soon, Catherine might not last long.

Receiving this news, Shannon Quinn couldn’t help but worry. No matter what, she hoped she’d live well.

This New Year’s Eve wasn’t particularly joyful but still quite okay.

Having a New Year’s dinner with her family felt different.

Shannon Quinn returned home, took a bath, and casually switched channels on the TV while sitting on the living room sofa.

The sound of fireworks had been ongoing outside since dusk fell, and Shannon Quinn lowered her head, scrolling through her phone.

She thought Vincent Rhodes would at least call or send her a text, yet after their parting in Vorland, he hadn’t contacted her.

Shannon Quinn looked down in disappointment, exiting Landon Sutton’s WeChat profile page, then found some longtime friends in the medical field from her list to inquire about kidney donors, learning about some reliable channels.

They all said it requires waiting, as matching isn’t easy.

She heard the success rate of matching between relatives could be higher, and Shannon wondered if hers could be successful.

But now with a child in her womb, even if the match succeeds, surgery would have to wait until March or April after the baby is born.

Yet Catherine Yardley’s condition might not last three or four months.

Removing the child could be quicker, and she didn’t want this baby anyway.

But with Vincent Rhodes insistent, she feared she would lack the right to abort the child.

Sometimes she truly felt her life was all about living for others.

Before marriage, she was but a pawn in the Quinn Family, unable to make any decisions; and it seemed that hadn’t changed after marriage as if she was merely a tool with nobody considering her perspective.

She even doubted Vincent Rhodes insisted on having the child because he only cared about the child, knowing that even after divorce, she wouldn’t be able to take the child.

With Vincent’s situation, he naturally couldn’t care for the child. Even if left to other members of the Rhodes Family, not being the child’s father, who would truly care?

The Rhodes Family isn’t ordinary, leaving many matters with unpredictable outcomes, and she didn’t know what choices would be right.