Chapter 19: Let Annette Raise the Child

Stuart never imagined Annette would actually offer to return to the countryside with him—especially to that remote little village she had always wrinkled her nose at.

From the look of her, she hadn't been back to her own home in days. Clearly, she knew nothing about how her family was doing.

He pressed his lips together, unsure what to say, and in the end simply gave a soft, "Mm."

Annette hadn't expected much more. He wasn't exactly a talkative type. Her eyes drifted to the bed opposite, where a pile of bedding and luggage lay abandoned. "Where's your mother?" she asked curiously.

"I don't know," Stuart replied. "You left, and she said she was bored. Took Nancy out for a walk."

Thinking of Grace's relentless nagging, Stuart hesitated for a beat, then added, "I'm sorry about my mother. And my sister too. She's spoiled. Grew up that way."

Annette waved it off. "What's that got to do with me? People like them always learn the hard way. One big fall and they'll be humbled."

After a moment of deliberation, she figured she might as well tell him—"By the way, Nancy's pregnant."

Stuart's ever-unreadable face finally cracked. Shock flickered across his expression, along with a heavy dose of disbelief. "That can't be right."

In this era, even openly admitting to a romantic relationship before marriage was enough to draw gossip and finger-pointing. Pregnancy before marriage? That would get a girl socially executed.

Stuart, with his strict, old-fashioned mindset, found it hard to believe his sister would do something so reckless.

Annette clicked her tongue. "You're still such a traditionalist. I'm just giving you a heads-up—don't go trying to find her a husband now. That would just drag some poor guy down. And judging from the looks of it, she's at least four months along. If you don't figure something out fast, she'll be stuck with it."

Stuart frowned deeply. His relationship with Nancy wasn't particularly close, but she was still his sister. He couldn't let something like this ruin her life. And clearly, Grace had no idea what was going on, dragging Nancy around in search of a new suitor.

—

Meanwhile, Grace and Nancy were seated in a large, state-owned cafeteria, glancing around curiously. Across from them sat Charlotte, who wore her usual bright smile.

Charlotte poured a glass of water for Grace and asked warmly, "Auntie, when did you get into town?"

Grace beamed back, thrilled by the young woman's attentiveness. She hadn't expected such a pretty girl to be so considerate—and even treat them to a proper meal in a grand cafeteria like this. The kitchen in the back looked clean and professional, not like the grubby food stalls she was used to.

"We just arrived today. You know my second son? You're being way too generous! We could've just grabbed a bowl of noodles by the roadside."

Charlotte smiled. "No trouble at all. You don't come to the city often. A simple meal won't do. I ordered two plates of braised pork and three pounds of beef-and-cabbage dumplings. If it's not enough, we'll get more."

Grace's face lit up even brighter. "It's more than enough! You're so sweet, truly."

Charlotte stayed gracious. "Stuart's injured. I figured he wouldn't have time to take care of you both. Let me treat you—it's the least I can do."

In her heart, Grace was already comparing Charlotte to Annette. What a difference. This girl knew how to speak, how to act, and even had the manners to invite them to eat. Annette? That spoiled city girl had snuck off to eat by herself and hadn't even offered them a bite.

The more she compared, the more she liked Charlotte.

"Oh, sweet girl," Grace sighed dramatically. "You've got such a kind heart. If only my son had been lucky enough to marry someone like you. What a blessing that would've been. If you were my daughter-in-law, I'd be set for life."

Charlotte flushed, embarrassed. "Please, Auntie, don't say that. Annette's a good wife."

The mention of Annette made Grace scoff. "Her? That girl is nothing but a pampered city princess. Looks down on families like ours. We didn't bring home a daughter-in-law—we brought home a deity too good for this world."

Charlotte widened her eyes in mock surprise. "Really? I had no idea. I mean, I heard a few things from the neighbors... that she's got a bit of a temper."

Grace sneered. "Temper? That girl's as delicate as glass."

Just then, two steaming dishes of braised pork arrived, glistening under the light. The rich aroma of tender meat and glossy fat filled the air.

Grace's eyes nearly bulged out of her head. Even during New Year celebrations, they didn't dare eat meat like this.

Without another word, she grabbed her chopsticks and attacked the food.

Nancy reached for a piece as well, stuffing it into her mouth. But the moment the greasy meat hit her stomach, she felt a wave of nausea rise. She clutched her mouth, bolted to the side, and doubled over, dry heaving.

Charlotte blinked. Judging by Nancy's age, she assumed the girl was already married. Country girls often wed young. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Could it be... are you pregnant?"

The atmosphere went cold.

Grace slammed her chopsticks on the table. "What nonsense are you spouting?! My Nancy is an unmarried girl!"

Charlotte quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry, Auntie. I didn't know. Maybe it's just something she ate."

Nancy's hands trembled as she forced the bile back down and smiled weakly. "It's nothing. Probably just the cold. My stomach's sensitive to greasy food."

Charlotte looked half-convinced but didn't press further. She hurried to get some warm porridge and poured water for Nancy.

In the end, Grace devoured both plates of braised pork and most of the dumplings. Stuffed to the brim, she finally set down her chopsticks with visible reluctance.

Nancy sipped two bowls of porridge slowly, fighting the nausea that threatened to return with every bite.

Grace had no shame. She took out a handkerchief, bundled up the leftover dumplings, and tied the ends into a neat pouch. "We'll have these for dinner," she declared.

After all, it wasn't like Annette would feed them later.

At the hospital entrance, Charlotte even handed them a few apples as parting gifts, smiling sweetly as she waved goodbye.

Once she was out of sight, Grace turned sharply to her daughter. Her face darkened. "Tell me the truth. Did you sleep with that bastard Frank Dawson?"

Nancy went pale, frantically shaking her head. "No! Of course not!"

But Grace wasn't stupid. She watched her daughter's panicked reaction and the way she had been acting lately. Her voice dropped to a hiss. "You really have no shame. Carrying a little bastard in your belly—and Annette figured it out before I did? You still want to keep it?"

Nancy crumpled in on herself, panic rising. "No, Mom. I don't. I don't want to have it!"

If she did, her life would be over.

Grace's face twitched with rage. She wanted to slap the girl, but held herself back in front of the hospital staff.

How had she raised such a disgraceful daughter?

Nancy's voice trembled. "What do we do?"

Grace bit down on her fury and snapped, "First, we try to get rid of it. If that's not possible—then we pass it off to your brother. Let Annette raise it."