It wasn''t just that one message. All the negative news about Patti had miraculously vanished from the inte, leaving only the favorable narratives. The web was flooded with stories romanticizing Hawthorne and Patti''s past, painting them as a deeply devoted couple. There were posts about their shared love nest, matching outfits, and moments where he''d supposedly defended her honor,plete with old photos from their school days. Netizens were relentlessly resourceful; there was nothing they couldn''t dig up. All the voices criticizing Patti had beenpletely suppressed.


    Gwh knew this ybook all too well. In the circles of the wealthy, she''d seen it all. It was obviously the work of a hired PR team, or someone had paid to push the story to the top of the trending topics. She scrolled through for a while, feeling surprisingly detached. She had been questioning the validity of the negative posts herself, but pushes to shove, the fact remained: Hawthorne was protecting Patti, and he had cheated on Gwh and had a child with her.


    A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. It was Butler Parham. ''Ms. Everhart, yourte-night snack is here.'' As he brought in the food, Gwh quickly nked her phone screen. In truth, Hawthorne and Patti''s messy affair had little to do with her anymore.


    She wasn''t sure if it was the skill of Hawthorne''s chef or if her pregnancy had simply given her a voracious appetite, but she devoured the entire chicken he''d sent up, drank everyst drop of the broth, and finished arge bowl of noodles and side dishes as well. When she was done, she didn''t feel stuffed, just deeply satisfied.


    The moon seemed especially full tonight. Gwh gazed out the window, one hand resting on her stomach. ''Babies,'' she murmured, ''if your father knew you existed, would he be happy, or- She couldn''t bring herself to finish the thought, afraid it might be bad for the pregnancy. She had been about to say, or would he not want you? The thought was unbearable.


    But even if Hawthorne didn''t want them, she did. These babies were living souts. Her own mother had brought her into this world, and


    while life had its share of hardships,


    it


    Besides, her own parents had been through terrible conflicts, yet her mother had bravely brought Chris and Celia into the world. The courage it must have taken to be a single mother was immense.


    it also held beauty and et


    When Butler Barham returned to clear the dishes, he found Gwh sitting quietly and couldn''t help but sigh to himself. It seemed Mr. and Ms. Everhart had been arguing again. ''Ms. Everhart, you should get some rest. Mr. Everhart has likely been very busy with thepanytely. He meant it as afort, but his words sent a chill through Gwh''s heart. Still, Butler Parham had always been kind to her. She managed a faint smile. ''I know.''


    After he left, Gwh, full and weary, found her eyelids growing heavy. Her spirits were low, but it was as if the two little ones in her belly were eager to grow, pulling her insistently toward sleep. She tried to keep her eyes open, but she couldn''t resist the Sandman''s call? Her head tilted to the side, and she was fast asleep.


    The next morning, when Gwh opened her eyes, she was startled to see Hawthorne pushing the door open. Having just woken up, she froze, and he did the same. After the explosive fight the night before, the sudden reunion left them both speechless.


    ''Gwyn-'' Hawthorne began, but Gwh cut him off coolly. ''Don''t waste your breath. I have some things to discuss with Leonie. Make yourself at home.'' With that, she walked out, the sound of the closing door mming shut on Hawthorne''s heart.


    He pulled a delicate jewelry box from his pocket. Insidey a pearl ne he had specificallye to give her. He knew the Langford family had plenty of jade, and Gwh wouldn''t be impressed by it. He had spent a fortune on this pearl ne at an auction, but she had walked away without a second nce.