Chapter 488

Until Frederick left, he still hadn’t told Marguerite whether he would come to her rescue and take her away from the wedding she dreaded.

Marguerite was crushed with disappointment. She got up in a daze, ready to take off her wedding gown, and just then she caught sight of herself in the full-length mirror.

Her face was pale and her hair, was a tangled mess from the entanglement with Frederick who had left her in such turmoil.

But the gown was truly magnificent-a handcrafted vision of white, adorned with layers of diamonds and pearls, shimmering and captivating. Marguerite could tell; it was one of the wedding dress brands that every girl dreams of. Yet, at that moment, she felt an overwhelming loneliness. She was living a dream that many ordinary girls couldn’t fathom, but it was laced with sorrow because she wasn’t wearing this beautiful dress for the man she truly loved.

If it had been Frederick declaring his intentions to marry her instead of Maurice, she would’ve been blissful even in rags and tatters, without a fancy dress.

But reality was cruel and wouldn’t bend to her desires.

With a heavy sigh, she unzipped the side of the gown and let it fall away from her body.

Outside the villa.

Yuna had just returned from the hospital when everyone had retreated to their rooms for some rest.

She was in a hurry to sort things out and without catching her breath, she rushed straight to Hayes’

bedroom.

At that moment, Hayes was leaning on his race car bed, engrossed in “The Matrix” on his tablet.

Hayes tensed up the instant Yuna walked in.

Mommy never sought him out unless something was wrong. Had he done something to upset her again? He was so nervous.

But Yuna showed him a gentleness she had never before displayed.

She sat lightly on the edge of his bed and pulled the blanket up to cover his bare legs.

“It’s chilly, don’t catch cold,” she said softly.

Hayes was startled, then visibly moved.

He looked up at Yuna, his mouth opening and closing before he managed to utter four words, “Thank…

you… Mommy…”

Yuna smiled faintly and shook her head, “Hayes, don’t think Mommy doesn’t care about you. Manley’s had it tough, he’s been sick since he was born, so naturally, I’ve been more attentive to him. Are you mad at me?”

Hayes felt a twinge of sadness. He wasn’t upset about the favoritism, but because it seemed like his mother had never truly loved him at all.

He felt like an orphan, even the affection from Teresa, the housekeeper, felt stronger than that from his own mother. That’s why he wished his dad would marry Teresa’s mommy instead.

Hayes didn’t respond directly but instead asked, “Is Manley… doing okay?”

Yuna’s heart leapt. She had been looking for an opening to broach the subject, and here Hayes had brought it up himself!

She let out a deep sigh and started to lay the groundwork, “Manley is not doing well at all. Do you know why he’s always sick?”

Hayes shook his head innocently.

Yuna’s expression was one of profound sorrow, “Because when I was pregnant with you two, you were both fighting for nutrients inside me. Manley couldn’t keep up and was born before he was fully developed. He’s had all sorts of complications and is in the hospital now.

Oh, if only you had let him have a little more back then, he could be as healthy as you are now.”

Hayes was dumbfounded, feeling a mix of heartache and guilt: “Manley… is sick… because of me?”

Yuna let two symbolic tears fall, and Hayes hurriedly tried to wipe them away. He was just an embryo back then, with no thoughts or feelings; how could he have controlled his actions?

But if his mother said that Manley was sick because of him, he still felt an immense guilt.

“Hayes, would you be willing to help Manley?”

“…How can I help?”

“Manley needs a blood transfusion. Daddy’s and my blood are not a match, but since you’re twins, your blood is perfect!”

A blood transfusion? The very thought made Hayes anxious, “Does it… mean taking…, a lot of blood?”

Yuna tempted him with half-truths, “No, just a little bit will do!”

An obvious lie, but Yuna didn’t care about details now!

The priority was to deceive this little rascal into going to the hospital; how much blood would be taken wasn’t his decision to make.

Hayes blinked and looked at Yuna with earnest eyes. He seemed to have a long list of questions, but every time he thought about asking one, he became too emotional to speak.

He quickly typed out a message on his tablet and handed it over to Yuna with an eager expression, “If I save Manley, will you love me more, Mommy?