Chapter 1837:


    “I understand. I’ll make sure he takes every dose exactly as prescribed,” Etta replied without hesitation, trusting Christinapletely.


    “Bonnie, is the poison finally out of my system?” Hurley asked, a trace of anxiety still lingering in his voice.


    Christina gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Dad. Your body will bepletely clear of it very soon.”


    “Bonnie, you are remarkable. You are the best at everything you do,” Hurley said, his voice warm with pride.


    “Well, she is my daughter, so of course she is,” Beth said with a yful grin.


    “Thank you for being such a wonderful mother and giving me this extraordinary daughter,” Hurley said, drawing Beth close and gazing at her with quiet, unmistakable love.


    Smiles spread through the room, and warmth filled the house once more. The grief and hardship they had endured together were finally behind them, and everyone felt it — the quiet, certain sense that better days had arrived.


    Over at the Martel house, Gillian sat on the sofa with a gentle smile on her face, watching Alban y with Adide.


    She was at peace knowing that the Martel and Jones families had reconciled. The confusion and conflict between them had finallye to an end. Even so, she had still declined when Alban asked her to move into the Martel house.


    “Gillian, please bring the little one to visit us more often,” Colette said warmly, her eyes soft as she watched the two of them.


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    “I will,” Gillian answered in a quiet voice.


    Henrik leaned forward, unable to contain himself any longer. “So — have you made a decision yet about changing Adide’sst name to Martel?”


    He was desperate for Gillian to say yes, to move into the Martel mansion with the little girl so they could finally live as a proper family.


    Gillian felt every pair of eyes in the room settle on her. The weight of their collective expectation made her heart race. She looked down at the floor and began fidgeting with her fingers, the tension written inly across her face.


    Then arge, warm hand reached out and closed gently over her restless ones.


    Gillian looked up and met Alban’s steady, dark gaze.


    “Don’t let them pressure you,” he said softly. “This is your choice to make, and no one is going to force you into anything. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”


    Deep down, he longed for his daughter to grow up in the Martel home, and he dreamed of the day Gillian might be his wife. But more than his own wishes, he wanted Gillian to be happy — not overwhelmed. Things between them were finally in a good ce, and he was terrified that pushing too hard would send her running, taking Adide with her, and closing the door on him forever.


    Gillian bit her lip. “If I decide never to do it — will you be angry with me?” she asked.


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