Chapter 2

I tearfully called Nolan, a doctor, pleading for help.

But he calmly replied:

"I have my own matters to attend to. Aria is having cosmetic surgery, and I need to be there for her. Aria only has me now. If I'm not good to her, who else will be?"

"You're a grown woman now. You need to learn to solve problems on your own. Can't you be more sensible?"

"Isn't Blaine with Aria? They're the couple, after all. You're getting married tomorrow, what's the point of always hanging around them?"

As I spoke, my voice trembled uncontrollably.

"My mother is dying. You're the only one who can help me now, Nolan. I'm begging you..."

Seeing no response from him, I simply ran to the plastic surgery clinic next door, drenched in the pouring rain.

The moment I saw him, I fell to my knees, crying and clinging to his legs.

"Nolan, I know I've been unrequited all these years, but can't you save my mom concerning you would become my husband soon?"

Suddenly, a sharp female voice interrupted my plea.

Aria stood nearby, pointing at me and laughing:

"Seraphina, you're about to be a bride tomorrow. Can't you mind your image a bit?" I'm surprised to see her standing here.

"Aria? Aren't you supposed to be getting plastic surgery?"

She waved her hand in a show-off manner.

"The surgery hasn't even started yet. I'm still a baby at heart, you know. I need Blaine and Nolan by my side the whole time."

"But you should worry about yourself first. Look at the blood beneath you. Did you not realize you got your period? You shouldn't be out here embarrassing yourself."

I clutched my lower abdomen that's aching to numb and looked down in horror.

I discovered that I had left a trail of blood wherever I walked, and even my snow-white dress was stained dark red.

But I was already two months pregnant, so this blood couldn't possibly be from menstruation.

Aria rummaged through her bag and threw a pack of sanitary pads at my face.

"Here, consider it my generous gift to you!"

"I heard everything you said on the phone earlier. I'm not completely heartless, you know. If you make me happy, I might even be willing to let you have Nolan."

Pregnant and having lost a large amount of blood, I was now panting heavily just to speak.

"What do you want me to do?"

Aria used to have a pretty doll-like face, but due to a previous bone fracture, it had grown somewhat crooked. She looked at me with a forced smile and said:

"I love puppies. If you can roll on the ground and bark like a dog three times, I'll agree to your request."

I glanced at Blaine and Nolan for help, but found them both looking at Aria with adoring expressions.

Nolan opened his mouth, but only to back up Aria:

"Unlike you, Aria is pure-hearted. If you want to ask a favor, you've got to show some real effort, don't you?"

I steeled myself and closed my eyes for a moment.

Ignoring the strange looks from onlookers, I rolled on the ground while making ridiculous barking noises.

Aria was thoroughly amused and finally allowed Nolan to leave to perform surgery on my mother.

During the wait for the surgery, I passed out. When I came to, the nurse beside me said:

"Due to excessive blood loss, we couldn't save the baby. Please accept our condolences."

As for my mother, the nurse also informed me that Dr. Sterling had done his best, but unfortunately the surgery was unsuccessful and my mother had passed away.

I stumbled out of bed, wanting to see my mother one last time, but Nolan stopped me at the door.

He held me tightly in his arms, his expression pained.

"You're too weak right now. You need to rest for a few days. Leave your mother's funeral arrangements to me." "Even though your mother is gone, you still have me. I'll always be here for you."