<h4>Chapter 443: Cursed to Be Unhappy</h4>


    E took a deep breath, her nerves calming with Eric by her side. Her gaze softened, filled with warmth. "You’re right. The baby is strong and will be fine. Dad, how long will you stay this time?"


    Lucas smiled. "Of course, I’ll stay until after your wedding. Then I’ll head back to Country W briefly, but unless something major happens, I’ll always make it a point to return to Country S to be with you."


    E felt a little awkward. She was already an adult, yet her father still wanted to stay by her side.


    Standing nearby, Luke’s face was dark with anger. He gave E a brief nce before turning and walking out of the room.


    The day they returned from Country W, Lucas had informed him that E wasn’t ill and hadn’t had a miscarriage—that everything had been a fa?ade.


    Luke was shocked and furious, realizing just how foolish his words to E had been.


    From beginning to end, he had been kept in the dark, deceived. He med himself for not earning E’s trust, forcing her to keep him out of the loop.


    A mix of frustration and disappointment spread through his chest as Luke walked coldly to the corridor window. He took a deep breath, trying to regain hisposure.


    It felt like an addiction—anything rted to E consumed his thoughts, driving him to obsession.


    This habit wasn’t healthy. It needed to stop, or it would destroy him.


    Lucas approached as Luke reached for a cigarette. "You never used to smoke," Lucasmented calmly.


    Luke froze, hesitating before awkwardly putting the cigarette away. "Father, haven’t you heard? Men who don’t seed don’t smoke."


    Lucas chuckled softly. "You’re mistaken. I don’t smoke either—do you think I’m unsessful? Don’t make excuses. Smoking isn’t an escape."


    Luke steadied himself and replied, "Father, I’m not trying to escape anything."


    Lucas’s discerning gaze seemed to pierce through him, reading every subtle emotion. "Whatever the case, I trust you’re capable of dealing with this small issue. They say time is the greatest healer, and I’vee to believe it. The pain in my heart has faded, leaving only regret and a faint sadness. Even those feelings will eventually be swept away by the busyness of work."


    "I understand, Father. I’ll head back to the office now," Luke said quietly, turning and walking down the stairs.


    Lucas watched his son’s retreating figure. Though Luke wasn’t his biological child, the bond they had built over the years was unshakable.


    Turning back toward E’s room, Lucas thought about the future. The Anderson family business would eventually be handed over to Luke. For now, his only hope was that E would have a smooth pregnancy and that the baby would remain healthy—truly the greatest blessing he could ask for.


    The media had milked the Tiffany scandal for several days before it finally began to die down.


    When Leah saw the news, her fury boiled over. "That wretched woman lied to everyone! She wasn’t sick, and she didn’t miscarry. She’s despicable!"


    Leah had spent the past two months at home, with no intention of working. Her days were consumed by indulgence and escapism.


    Evelyn nced at Leah with concern. "Leah, when are you nning to get back to work?"


    Julia nodded in agreement. "Leah, why don’t you go abroad for a while? Your uncle’spany back home could use some help, after all."


    If this continued, Leah would waste away entirely.


    Leah pouted. "Mom, Grandma, I just want to stay in Country S and be with you."


    Julia shook her head. "But are you really nning not to work anymore? If you went abroad, at least you wouldn’t have to deal with the prejudice here."


    Leah’s face darkened. While her criminal record was a stain in Country S, the situation wouldn’t be much different in Country W. However, life there was more liberating, and finding a decent job might be easier—especially since her uncle’spany seemed to be a reasonable option.


    Still, she shook her head. "Mom, Grandma, I just don’t feel like it. Let me rest a little longer."


    Her gaze drifted back to the LCD screen, her eyes glinting with icy resentment. "I can’t believe that E... she actually survived!"


    Julia and Evelyn exchanged a nce. They were equally disappointed to hear that E was fine.


    To them, E was a demon—the one who had systematically dismantled the Carter Group’s empire.


    Such audacity deserved retribution, but E’s life only seemed to get better, leaving them both deeply unsettled.


    "What’s the point ofining?" Julia sneered. "If you’re that upset, go find a better man and make her jealous. Besides, just because she’s happy now doesn’t mean she’ll be happy forever. Do you understand?"


    Julia’s lips curled into a vicious smile, recalling the curses she had once muttered under her breath in the hospital.


    "She’s still young. Give it a few years—who knows, she might actually get a brain tumor," Julia said dismissively. Evelyn nodded in agreement.


    "Leah, your grandmother is right. Just leave her alone for now. I doubt her life will stay rosy for long. You should focus on nning your own future," Evelyn added.


    Leah grinned, her mood instantly improving. Knowing Julia and Evelyn both disliked E made her feel better. "Got it, Mom. You’re so naggy!"


    She worked to ignore E’s happiness, determined to make her own life better. Still, she couldn’t help but silently hope Julia’s words woulde true—that vile woman might really end up with a brain tumor...


    Meanwhile, E had returned home without issue. Eric had gone all out, filling the house with maternity clothes, baby outfits, a crib, and enough toys to fill an entire room.


    Standing in front of the guest room, E gazed at the mountain of toys and shook her head. "Eric, why did you buy so many toys? I’ve heard that having too many toys can distract a child and make it harder for them to focus."


    From behind, Eric gently wrapped his arms around her waist. "We have plenty of rooms, don’t we? This one can be the toy room, another the nursery, and we can even set up a yroom," he said with a soft smile.


    His fingers lightly intertwined with hers as his warm lips brushed her ear. "Our child will be very smart and beautiful, so you need to stay calm and rxed during your pregnancy."


    "Alright, alright, you’ve said this so many times," E replied with augh, knowing she could manage it.


    Perhaps having lived another lifetime, her temperament had cooled, and she’d grown steadier.


    In E’s view, Hannah—like a pesky cockroach—wanted nothing more than to see her copse. But she wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.


    "By the way, I want to visit Grandma Davis tomorrow," E said, her voice softening. "I heard her health hasn’t been great. It’s been over a month since I’ve been back, and the servants have told me she’s called several times."


    Thinking of the elderly woman, E felt a twinge of responsibility. She wasn’t some saint, but Grandma Davis was old and likely didn’t have much time left.


    Eric frowned, and E knew exactly what he was thinking. "You cane with me. We’ll visit her briefly and then head straight back," she reassured him.


    She had already done more than enough. To be honest, she didn’t owe the Davis family anything—it was they who owed her.


    No amount of money or shares could ever bring back her mother’s life.