BIT

“If only thought about myself, of course, I would prefer to spend my life in the clinic. and forever punish mys. quilt, but there’s one person in this world whose happiness still matters to me, and that person is

“Your mother,” Rebecca interjected. She finally understood what was going on in Sean’s mind and why he offered to be her pretend husband.

Sean sighed deeply and nodded. “My mother always pretends to be happy, but she’s very sad to see me like this. I know that, but I can’t do anything about it. She just wants to see me live again, but I’m almost sure I can’t do it, not without Maggie and Bea,” he said, his voice choked with emotion.

Rebecca could feel the emotions in every word Sean spoke. “Um, so, what’s your plan?” she asked, curious.

wer

Sean lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. “Well, we can register the marriage and go back to New York. No need to hide from the Specter family or anyone else. Lily will grow up with my last name, and I’ll make it clear to Victoria to stop bothering you,” he replied calmly.

“The question is, how long? How long will we live in this charade?” Rebecca couldn’t imagine what kind of life she would be living.

“Until Lily is old enough to understand. We’ll separate amicably and co–parent to keep her mental stability intact,” Sean quickly answered as if the plan was already well thought out in his head.

Rebecca stared at Sean for a long time, wondering if he had any traits similar to Nicholas.

“Don’t even think that I have anything in common with Nicholas Bennett. I’m not a psychopath like him,” Sean snapped, as if he could read Rebecca’s mind.

Rebecca gaped in shock, opening her mouth and then closing it again. “Sorry, I’m just

“Don’t be sorry. I know the trauma you experienced must be very deep, making it hard for you to trust new people, and that’s completely normal. So, if you have doubts, then don’t listen to my words,” Sean said calmly.

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Rebern was shot to respond when the heard Lily crying loudly on the baby monitor. “Oh. Lily! Sorry, let’s talk again later, she said jumping up and running inside.

Rebeca thought about Sean’s words while holding Lily. She turned to the mirror, seeing her pale reflection, as if the had lost all her charm. Suddenly, there was a knock

on the door.

“Come in!”

The door opened, and Sean stepped inside. The test results are out.”

Rebecca stared, “And?”

“Lily can sleep in a regular bed instead of the phototherapy box; her bilirubin levels are normal, Sean said happily. He looked down at Lily, and Rebecca could see the joy on his face as if he were looking at his own daughter.

“You miss Maggie and Bea so much, don’t you?” Rebecca murmured.

“Of course, not a day goes by that I don’t think about them. So, have you made a decision?”

Rebecca cleared her throat nervously. Honestly, she couldn’t imagine how the charade they would play later, especially since it involved Lily. “I don’t know. Can you give me time to think? Well, I know I have to leave soon because Lily is getting better, but-

“Don’t say that! You can stay here as long as you want. I might have to go back to the clinic soon, though. You know what? Forget our silly plan. Maybe everything won’t go as smoothly as we imagined,” Sean said calmly.

Rebecca looked up in surprise, not expecting Sean to say that. “Um, I don’t know, Sean. Everything feels too rushed. I need to think it over carefully,” she said uncertainly.

“I completely understand. Alright, I’ll cook lunch for us all. Bye, Lily!” Sean waved at Lily and then walked out of the room.

Rebecca took a deep breath. She shook her head, trying to think clearly about the long- term consequences if she agreed to Sean’s silly idea, but no matter how hard she tried. to convince herself, the doubt always remained.

“Lily, my love, what should mommy do?” she murmured, looking at Lily and gently stroking her tiny hand.

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Chapter

An hour later, she went down to the dining room and stopped on the stairs when she heard a conversation between Sean and Angela.

“Please, Sean, you have to free yourself from that guilt. Maggie and Bea, they surely. don’t want to see you living like this,” Angela said, almost crying.

Sean sighed deeply. “Mom, what’s wrong with being a doctor for life? Come on, you have to start accepting that this is who I am,” Sean replied gently.

“You spend your whole life in the clinic. Do you think I will be okay with that? You need counseling, for God’s sake, Sean! Heal yourself. Everything that happened to Maggie and Bea wasn’t your fault!” Angela’s voice suddenly became softer.

“Mom? Mom? Are you okay?” Sean shouted in panic.

Rebecca hurried down the stairs and approached them. She was shocked to see Angela clutching her left chest. “Oh my God, Sean, what happened?”

Sean quickly carried Angela and laid her on the sofa. “Becky, please take care of her. I need to get her medicine from her room,” he said quickly.

Rebecca nodded, holding Angela’s hand and looking at her worriedly. “Angela, just breathe. You’ll be okay, alright?” she said gently.

Angela closed her eyes. “I no longer care if I live or die. Can you imagine, Becky, how it would feel if Sean were Lily and you were me? What’s the point of living if my son is living in suffering?”

Rebecca took a deep breath, suddenly feeling guilty for rejecting Sean’s idea that could actually be a win–win solution for them.

Not long after, Sean appeared, half–running, with the medicine in his hand. “Here, Mom, take it,” he said, helping Angela sit up and putting the small pill into her mouth.

“Mr. Parker, sir? You called for me?” Suddenly, a middle–aged woman appeared from the entrance.

“Erin! Yeah, can you handle all the household affairs? My mom needs complete rest,” Sean said firmly.

“That is my duty, sir. Is Mrs. Parker alright?” Erin asked, looking at Angela worriedly.

“No, Erin, I’m not alright,” Angela replied without opening her

eyes.

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12:55 Thu, Aug 15 MWG.

Sean sighed deeply, “Mom, I’ll take you to your room,” he said wearily.

Rebecca watched Sean’s back as he walked away, and her resolve.

a bit. She sat

on a stool, rubbing her nose, comparing the risks of continuing to run from Victoria or facing her as Sean’s crazy idea suggested.

“Becky, I’m not in the mood to cook, so I’ll just order something for our lunch,” Sean said. He suddenly appeared, looking down at his phone.

Rebecca cleared her throat softly. “Sean, I think I’ve changed my mind. Maybe we can do it. You know? Pretend to be husband and wife,” she said cautiously.

Sean looked up, surprised. “Are you sure?” Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Rebecca shrugged, “Yeah, let’s make a deal. A clear one.”