Chapter 81

Emmanuel regained his composure, swallowing back the outburst. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” he said softly.

In the past, he had gone to great lengths to win Tabitha’s favor. Now that he was injured, it seemed the perfect chance to gain her sympathy. How could he willingly distance himself from her just because of his fear that Jayden might harm her?

Tabitha smiled. “It’s alright, I’m not upset.”

It was Christmas Day, and Emmanuel found himself alone in the sterile. hospital room, hiding his injuries from his family and enduring the pain. in isolation.

With only a handful of friends he could count on, his situation seemed somewhat pitiful.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Tabitha took out a thoughtful gift from her bag and handed it to Emmanuel. “Merry Christmas. Here’s a little something for you. I wish you good luck for the year ahead.”

Emmanuel was slightly surprised. Tabitha, though younger than him, spoke with such sincere charm.

He chuckled helplessly, “I’m older than you. A gift for me, eh?”

“We swap gifts to spread love and joy during Christmas,” Tabitha explained casually. “I’m all about spreading kindness, especially how. And, you know, it’s just a small something to brighten up your day.“”

“Well, that’s sweet of you.” Emmanuel took the gift from Tabitha and said sincerely, “Thanks for the thoughtful present and your kind words.”

Tabitha continued chatting with him for a bit. Sensing Emmanuel’s low energy, she figured it was time to head out. “I’ll come to visit you again MMM when I have time.”

027% 15:07 Emmanuel did not try to keep her and only watched as Tabitha took off. Suddenly, a weird and new feeling welled up within him.

Emmanuel looked at the gift.

Holding the gift tightly in his hands, Emmanuel could not help but feel a peculiar sense of irony.

Emmanuel had never once received a gift that carried with itself a heartfelt blessing. Unexpectedly, the first Christmas present he ever got came from Tabitha, leaving him with a conflicting mix of frustration and, secretly, an inexplicable joy.

For a moment, a darker thought suddenly crossed Emmanuel’s mind.

He had collided with Naomi to ruin Tabitha’s relationship with Malcolm, aiming to foster disdain for Malcolm in Alaric’s eyes.

‘If I make a move to pursue Tabitha after she gets a divorce with Malcolm, would Granddad change his opinion toward me if he witnesses my close relationship with her?‘ Emmanuel wondered.

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, Emmanuel received a call from Naomi.

Faced with Naomi, Emmanuel instinctively put up a gentle front. “What’s the matter?”

“Mr. Sinclair, I just called Malcolm, and he was talking about taking me for an amniocentesis in a few days. What should we do.now?” Naomi asked.

It was Christmas Day, and Naomi’s original plan to persuade Malcolm to spend time with her had fallen through. The latter, however, went against her hopes. Not only did Malcolm refuse, citing a busy schedule, but he also brought up the sensitive subject of paternity testing.

Emmanuel narrowed his eyes in response. His tone carried a cold edge as 027% 15:07 he asked, “Did you say something stupid in front of him again?”

“I didn’t. Malcolm’s growing suspicious of me. Mr. Sinclair, I’m thinking of inducing a miscarriage and pinning it on Tabitha,” Naomi said.

Naomi pretended to sound concerned as she continued, “But the child is yours. I should get your opinion first…”

Questions began to stir within Emmanuel. ‘If she wants to induce a miscarriage, that’s her choice. Why is she trying to blame Tabitha?”

At the thought of Tabitha’s gift and the roasted turkey she had made for him, Emmanuel grew impatient.

“How do you plan to shift the blame to her?” Emmanuel asked.

“I’ll find a crowded place and deliberately provoke her into a fight.” A sinister look played across her face as Naomi spoke, “Her health isn’t great, right? Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone and get rid of both children in the end.”

Emmanuel’s eyes and eyebrows twitched involuntarily, an instinctive aversion kicking in at Naomi’s scheme.

Tabitha’s health was indeed frail. She looked pale all the time, and her lips. had lost their usual color, showing just how delicate she was.

“Mr. Sinclair?” Naomi probed cautiously, “Are you against this? Or is it that… you couldn’t bring yourself to?”

‘Couldn’t bring myself to? How is that possible?‘ Emmanuel silently exclaimed.

Emmanuel’s face darkened.

Tabitha had only given him a cheap gift for Christmas. He believed he was not someone who could be easily swayed.

MM M XN7% 15:07 “Mr. Sinclair, when I was pregnant with your child, I considered bringing it. to the world for your sake,”

Naomi pleaded.

When she received no answer, Naomi could not help but feel somewhat triumphant, thinking that Emmanuel could not bring himself to part with the child in her womb.

“But now Malcolm insists he wants to have a paternity test. If we keep the child, I’m afraid all our efforts so far will be in vain,” Naomi carried on.

Understanding Naomi’s intentions, Emmanuel felt a surge of anger and almost scoffed aloud.

A woman like Naomi was not worth a word from him, let alone sparing a thought for her child.

Emmanuel frowned as he said, “Don’t go doing anything rash. Wait for me to figure things out.”

Naomi, on the other hand, was feeling anxious. She was frightened by Malcolm. “You need to hurry.

What if Malcolm decides to take me for testing tomorrow? I don’t get what’s happening, but he’s been obsessed with this testing thing lately. It’s freaking me out, and I have to put on this fake happy face.

It’s getting hard to keep up the act.”

Emmanuel said, “Just wait a few more days.”

While Emmanuel was typically soft–spoken, Naomi understood his character enough to know that he would not allow any objections. Even when she felt anxious, she dared not push the argument further.

“Got it,” she replied.