?Chapter 1454:


    The details were a concoction of imagination, a narrative with little connection to reality. Names weren’t mentioned, but it was obvious the rumors were pointed at Bryan—only someone of his stature could make the police retreat so quickly. And with Eileen’s pregnancy already bing public news, it seemed to tie the whole story together nicely.


    “You’ve really tangled yourself in this mess,” Eileen said to Bryan. She didn’t intend to clear up the misunderstanding.


    Let them talk about Bryan—it was far better than people finding out she was part of the incident, especially while pregnant.


    Bryan didn’t seem to care about the gossip. “You’ve got your prenatal checkup tomorrow,” he said, reminding Eileen.


    Eileen replied, “Let’s go to the hospital Phoebe mentioned. We can register there for the delivery.”


    She had originally nned on going there, but since it was quite a distance from home, she had opted for a hospital closer to her home for checkups. Now, with the due date approaching, it felt like the right time to make the switch. After a pause, Eileen added, “Gabri needs her vination tomorrow. We can bring her along.”


    “You go and tell Gabri she needs to get her injection tomorrow,” Eileen said, conveniently delegating the unpleasant task to Bryan.


    Bryan turned to face her. “Well, I believe you’re the head of this family,” he said. “You should be the one telling Gabri that. She will listen to you.”


    Eileen shot back, “If my words hold so much sway, then why aren’t you listening to me right now?”


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    Bryan, momentarily speechless, nced over at Gabri, who was happily ying by the expansive floor-to-ceiling window. After a brief hesitation, he rose and approached her. “Gabri, sweetheart,” he began, “tomorrow morning—”


    “Are you going to take me to get a shot?” Gabri interjected, her brow furrowing.


    Gabri had overheard Eileen discussing her uing vination with Ruby a few days ago. Although she had heard it loud and clear, when she hadter questioned Eileen about it, Eileen had feigned ignorance.


    “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Bryan asked, gently taking hold of Gabri’s small arm. “You’re such a brave girl. Surely you’re not afraid of a little shot, are you?”


    Gabri pulled her arm away, her expression resolute. “Don’t try that on me, Daddy!” she eximed. “Everyone knows shots hurt!”


    “They don’t hurt me,” Bryan said. “When I was a boy…”


    “Daddy, do you love me?” Gabri suddenly asked, tilting her head and gazing up at Bryan with wide, innocent eyes.


    When Bryan didn’t immediately respond, she nted a sweet kiss on his cheek and repeated her question, “Do you love me, Daddy?”


    “Of course, I love you, sweetheart,” Bryan replied, his heart melting. “But even if I love you, I can’t take the shot for you.” He knew he had to be firm; Eileen was watching them intently.


    Gabri bestowed another kiss upon her father’s cheek. “You don’t have to take it for me, Daddy,” she said. “Just don’t make me go there.” She then patted her small arm. “Shots hurt, Daddy! They hurt a lot!”


    “But if you don’t get these shots, you’ll get sick and need even more shotster,” Bryan said, trying a different tactic. “Every child has to get them, sweetheart. It’s the rule. You won’t be able to go to school without them.”


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