Since Eden was taking Ynda to see the old matriarch, Mrs. Walker couldn''t object. She offered a few words of advice before watching Ynda get into Eden''s car and drive away.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr.''s condition had be so severe that she had been moved from the nursing home to the city hospital, whose cardiac specialists were renowned nationwide.


    Eden led Ynda into the hospital room.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. was sitting up in bed, frail and skeletal, her eyes cloudy and dull.


    "Ynda, you''re here. Come,e, let me see you," Mrs. Thompson Sr. beckoned, though her cloudy eyes were fixed on Ynda''s stomach.


    "You''re almost five months along now, aren''t you? It''s a boy, right?"


    "I don''t know. The doctor didn''t say," Ynda snapped impatiently.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. was clearly not satisfied with this answer. She red at Ynda. "The doctor didn''t say? Why didn''t you ask? Do you know how to use your voice?"


    Ynda was seething, but Mrs. Thompson Sr. looked like she could drop dead at any moment, so she bit her tongue.


    Seeing the tension, Eden pulled Ynda aside. He then took Mrs. Thompson Sr.''s hand with a smile and said reassuringly, "Grandma, don''t you worry. I promise you, the baby in Ynda''s belly is your great-grandson."


    "Don''t you try to fool me. How could you know what it is through her belly?" Mrs. Thompson Sr. retorted, but her expression had clearly brightened.


    "Of course I know. It''s my own flesh and blood, how could I not know?" Eden replied smoothly.


    Finally satisfied, Mrs. Thompson Sr. gripped Eden''s hand. "As long as I can see the child born, I can die in pease she said earnestly. "Don''t Worry When Ynda gives birth to the Thompson family''s first grandson, I will make sure the child is provided for. Your father is a dutiful son; he won''t refuse my final wish."


    "Then on behalf of the child, thank you, Grandma Hulda," Eden replied.


    Just as Mrs. Thompson Sr. and


    Eden were in the middle of their conversation, Ynda cut in coolly "I suppose you two haven''t heard.


    Tha


    Bitch one is pregnant. Bet''s child the true, legitimate heir. It makes the one in my belly look like nothing but a backup n."


    "How do you know Yvonne''s pregnant?" Eden asked, staring at her in shock.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. was even more agitated, gripping Eden''s arm so tightly her knuckles went white, her eyes nearly popping out of her head.


    "I saw Yvonne''s prenatal file in Dr. Powell''s office during my check-up today," Ynda stated coldly.


    Eden fell silent.


    If Bet also had a child at this time, Frank would undoubtedly ce more importance on his son.


    "No, we absolutely cannot let that bastard''s child be born!" Mrs. Thompson Sr. was


    so agitated she started coughing violently, nearly choking.


    “Grandma, don''t worry," Eden soothed, patting her back. “The baby is still in the


    womb. Whether or not it makes it to term is anyone''s guess."


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. nodded, her


    voice a fierce whisper. "The baby in Ynda''s belly must be the only great-grandchild of the Thompson family. We absolutely, under no circumstances can allow Bet''s bastard to be born."