<b>Chapter </b>66
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Sandra copsed to the floor in shock, staring up at Pam in disbelief
Looking down at her with utter contempt, Pam sneered, “You shameless little take. Did you really think getting pregnant by your sister’s Nancé would force your way into the Foster family? Dreamson”
Sandra’s face turned pale, a mix of humiliation and panic washing over her. She could handle Amelia’s usations, but she couldn’t understand why the Fosters had suddenly turmed on her like this.
Her rtionship with Zachary had seemed tacitly epted by both families. Every time Sandra had visited Foster Vi, Pam had weed her warmly. But today, everything had changed.
Sandra got up with tears streaming down her face and went to find Zachary. He was lying in bed, nursing his injuries, looking nothing like the polished gentleman he usually was.
“Zachary, your mom wants me <b>to </b>get rid of the baby and leave you.” Sandra choked out between sobs, copsing onto him and identally pressing against <b>his </b>injured ribs.
Zachary hissed in pain and pushed her away, “Watch it. That hurts.”
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry.” Sandra jumped back from the bed, wringing her hands anxiously. <b>She </b>couldn’t shake the feeling that her whole world was about to fall apart. “Let’s get married, Zachary,” she blurted out, desperation clear in her voice.
Zachary rolled his eyes at her. “Are you out of your mind? I’m lying here injured. How <b>can </b>you be talking about marriage?”
“We could just get the marriage license now,” <b>Sandra </b>pleaded<b>, </b>kneeling beside his hospital bed. She gripped his hand tightly, terrified he’d slip away she let go. “The ceremony can wait until you’re better.”
“What’s really going on with you?” Zachary demanded, his patience wearing
Fighting back tears, Sandra finally confessed about the issues with <b>her </b>birth certificate
“You’re telling me you’re legitimate? Zachary stared at her in disbeliel
“No, that’s not it at all, Sandra protested quickly. “I’m the Edwards family’s seconddy.”
“This is <b>such </b><b>a </b>mess,” Zachary muttered. He didn’t like Sandra, burthis revtion made it worse. Having grown up with an illegitimate half–brother, knew all too well how Pam despised anything to do with children born out of wedlock.
Pam had made it crystal clear in <b>her </b>elite social circles that Zachary’s wife could never be illegitimate. Now, Ironically, the woman he’d so carefully chosen turned out to be exactly that. His actions had be a p in <b>the </b>face to Pam’s reputation.
Zachary looked at Sandra’s tear–filled eyes and sighed, “Sandra, I think you should terminate the pregnancy. This needs to en
“What?” Sandra froze,pletely stunned. “Zachary, how can you even say something so horrible?”
“Look, Sandra, i still love you. But I only have one mother, and this means everything to her. I can’t break hot heart.” While Zachary’s face disyed practiced anguish, he felt nothing but relief.
Until Escabeth came along, Zachary <b>had </b>never understood the allure of an experienced woman. Now, she consumed his thoughts, day and night. Only someone like Elizabeth could give him the kind of satisfaction he’d never known before. Sandra<b>, </b>inparison, seemed both dull and worthless to him,
To make matters <b>worse</b><b>, </b>Sandra was being childish all the time<b>, </b>constantly making demands that he cut ties with Elizabeth, initially, Zachary had considered <b>marrying </b>her for their child’s sake. But after discovering the truth about her background, he felt no remorse about walking away,
Zachary realized he’d be better off finding someone new who could actually benefit his situation. Someone who <b>might </b>even help him ovee his current predicament
“You’re ditching me, Zachary Sandra’s voice trembled with disbelief,
“I’m sorry, Sandra.” Zachary closed his eyes, his silence confirming her worst fears.
Sandrapletely broke down, her hysterical screams echoing through the room.
Zachary covered his cas in disgust. ‘Damn woman, always with the emotional theatrics, he thought coldly ‘Does the think she’s the preciousdy of the Edwards family? Edwards Group is nothing but a subsidiary of Kingsley now. She’s nobody
“How could you do this to me, Zachary?” Sandra cried out, tears streaming down her face. “I love you?”
Sandra was in hysterics when a sudden pain shot through her abdomen. Her face drained of color as she clutched her stomach “Zachery, something’s wrong with the baby,” she pleaded. “I need to get to the hospital now.”
“Here we go again.” Zachary didn’t buy it for a second. Sandra was always crying wolf about pregnancyplications, but the baby had been fine <b>every </b>time. Besides, given the current situation, losing the baby would actually solve his problems. It would give Sandra no mason to keep clinging to him.
A warm trickle ran down her leg, and Sandra shuddered. “<b>Zachary</b>, I’m serious this time. Please, I need to go to the hospital”
“I can’t drive
ve like this. I’ll have my driver take you Zachary called for his driver, but once Sandra was out of earshot, he muttered to him, “Get rid of the baby. Handle it however you see fit.”
As dusk settled, Amelia returned home with Diana’s gift of roses and headed straight for the bedroom. “Landon?”
“You’re back?” Landon looked up, setting down his phone. His face remained expressionless, characteristically distant.
Yet today, <b>Amelia </b>found him particrly captivating. “Landon, thank you.” She trimmed the roses and ced them in a vase on the nightstand.” met Diana today. She told me everything about my mother.“”
Landon remained nomittal. It was an interesting twist of fate. While investigating Lanny, he’de up empty–handed but instead discovered that Diana had been Debra’s neighbor during her time in Pinecrest. He’d decided to use this coincidence to do Amelia a favor,
“<b>This </b>is the first time I’ve truly felt that I had a mom,” Amelia said eamestly. “Landon, <b>you’re </b>such a wonderful person. I’ll work my hardest for you from
now on
‘Massage, Landon said, closing his eyes expectantly. Though he had professionals giving him muscle treatments daily, he didn’t care for them. Something about Amelia’s touch just felt morefortable.
“Of course,” Amelia replied gratefully, rolling up her sleeves and getting to work.
“What did Diana tell you? Landon asked.
“Haven’t you two talked about it?” Amelia asked, surprised.
“I’m not particrly interested in your affairs, Landon said dismissively. “<b>I </b><b>just </b>happen to know she’s acquainted with Debra.”
“Oh.” Amelia recounted everything Diana had told her. “My mother’s background is a mystery<b>, </b>but ording to Diana, she was most likely a wealthy heiress who suffered from mental illness.”
She bit her lip and continued, “Walter was afraid of what would happen if my mom regained her sanity and discovered his affair with Melissa. So he… She swallowed hard. “I believe he killed her AndI intend to find proof.”
Landon’s eyebrows furrowed<b>, </b>surprised by her candid confession.
“An eye for an eye,” Amelia muttered, her fingers unconsciously tightening their grip. Landon winced at the <b>sudden </b>pain. In response, he raised his left hand <b>and </b>firmly gripped her face between his fingers.
20, 4 JUI
“Hey, that hurts,” Amelia protested.
Landon nced down at his leg. That actually hurts”
Amelia’s fingers were digging into his thigh with surprising force, as if she were strangling an enemy,
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Amelia quickly withdrew her hands, looking embarrassed. “I tend to lose control of my strength when I’m angry
“Humph‘ Landon finally released his own grip. Remember for next time. I’m your husband, not your arch–nemesis.
“Right, right. And my boss too,” Amelia responded with a yful smile, her mood visibly lighter.
Landon felt himself rx as <b>well</b>, thinking. I guess this means the cold war is finally over?
“You could have told me your old friend <b>was </b>an elderlydy,” Amelia groaned. “<b>I’ve </b>just embarrassed myself by showing up with bags full of maternity
“Why would you bring maternity
y supplies to anyone? What were you thinking? Landon asked, bewildered by her behavior
your baby’s mother.” Amelia ducked her head, her checks burning with embarrassment. “Gosh, this makes it look like I’m some “I. I thought she was jealous wife, she thought. Which I’m definitely not. Really, I’m not
Landon studied her and he couldn’t hide the amusement <i>in </i>his eyes. He finally understood, Amelia had jumped to conclusions about the pregnancy test “Women,” he mused to himself. ‘<i>Why </i>can’t they just speak their mind instead of giving the silent treatment? I only have Amelia in these past few years!
“Are you jealous, Amelia?‘ Landon asked, a hint of amusement <i>in </i>his voice,
AD