?Chapter 344:


    The second Marc pushed through the ss door and saw them together, his face darkened. Why the hell was she here with his mother? He strode over, his voice cold. “Doreen, what are you doing here?”


    His tone was sharp, and Doreen shrank back slightly, trying to appear fragile. “Jazlyn, see what I mean?” she sniffled. “Mr. Walsh doesn’t care about me at all. Looks like I really don’t have the fate to be your daughter-inw.”


    Marc’s expression twisted at thatst part. Daughter-inw? He grabbed her wrist—firm, with no tenderness. “Come with me.”


    Jazlyn hadn’t even said a word before Marc yanked Doreen out into the sweltering afternoon sun. Outside, he dropped her hand but didn’t bother softening his re. “What the hell was that supposed to mean? What daughter-inw?”


    Doreen’s eyes welled up. She ced a trembling hand on her stomach. “I’m pregnant, Mr. Walsh,” she said quietly. “You know my family’s not doing well… Even getting an abortion would cost a fortune I don’t have.”


    Marc froze. His grip on her wrist loosened as the words sank in.


    “I went to the doctor,” she continued. “They said my uterine lining is thin. If I go through with this, I might not ever be able to have kids again.”


    Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I know I shouldn’t keep it. But it’s already inside me. It’s real. Your child, and I just… I can’t bring myself to end it.”


    Marc’s mind was spinning. He’d been thinking only in terms of damage control—how to contain this, how to clean it up withoutpletely destroying hisst shot with Ste.


    But now, watching her cry, so fragile and helpless, something inside him gave the faintest twinge.


    He finally spoke, his voice low. “Stop crying. I’llpensate you. But honestly… I think it’s better not to have the baby.”


    He didn’t want a kid with Doreen. If that happened, any chance with Ste would be gone for good.


    For a second, Doreen thought he might care. The first part of his sentence had given her hope. But the rest of it cut deep. She stepped back, clutching her stomach like she was protecting the child from him.


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    “Why?” she demanded, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Even if I die on that table… even if I never have another child… you still want me to get rid of this one?” Her voice cracked with grief. “I never wanted to trap you. I just… I just wanted to live. To give this baby a shot at life. Why is that too much to ask?”


    She was trembling now, rage and pain flooding out in waves. “You’re heartless, Mr. Walsh. You don’t deserve Ste’s love. Or anyone’s love for that matter.”


    She wiped her face with shaking hands and suddenly stepped back.


    “If you’re so set on getting rid of this baby, then take me with it. My life means nothing to you anyway, right?” With that, she turned sharply and made a run for the street.


    Marc’s heart dropped at Doreen’s words. Before she could get any closer to the road, he lunged forward and grabbed her wrist.


    “Don’t—don’t do anything stupid,” he said, breath catching. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. Just calm down, alright?” His voice softened as he loosened his grip. “Look, I was wrong, okay? If you really want to keep the baby, fine. I won’t stop you.”


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