Chapter 191


    I tuned out what Conrad was saying next. The news had struck me like a bolt from the blue. All the mysterious pieces I''d been puzzling over suddenly fell into ce, but not in the way I''d ever anticipated. Aiden, a lean but sunny guy, had always struck me as the quintessential boy next door. The revtion that his demise was due to his inability to ept his wife''s affair with his best friend was staggering. No wonder Conrad was a wreck after Aiden''s passing, engulfed in despair... Because he was the culprit.


    It made sense now why Aiden''s parents were so cold towards Haley, unwilling to even acknowledge her unborn child. They probably doubted the child was Aiden''s. I hadn''t harbored much resentment towards Conrad for his infidelity, but now, recognizing his despicable act in causing the death of his best friend, my anger knew no bounds.


    Fanny, sensing my distress, guided me away. Once in her lounge, I slumped into a chair, speechless for a long while. Though Aiden and I weren''t particrly close, the thought of his despairing end left me feeling as if I was suffocating in his stead.


    "Conrad''s beyond forgiveness," Fanny said, just as shocked and mad as I was. "Now that Haley''stched onto him, he''s likely justifying staying with her, no matter if he really wants to or not. He owes her that much. And frankly, he deserves it. And Haley, ming Conrad? I don''t buy it. She must have given him signals. It takes two to tango, yet now she''s ying the victim, even going as far as to harm Aiden''s only child to secure her ce in the Wagner family. She''s downright malicious!" Fanny ranted, visibly infuriated.


    I was absentmindedly picking at my nails, murmuring, "We need to find a way to save her child." I knew I had no right to make decisions for Haley, but I feltpelled to seek justice for Aiden.


    Fanny squeezed my shoulder, "Felicia, I get where you''reing from, but if she truly doesn''t want the child, she''ll just find somewhere else to go through with it, and even if..." She paused, "With Haley set on marrying Conrad, she''d probably not keep the child anyway. And even if she did, that child''s future might not be so bright."


    A realization struck me; no one has the right to dictate another''s life. Indeed, I had no right. But the child in Haley''s womb was already a living being, a continuation of Aiden. Without it, Aiden would truly be gone.


    Feeling utterly powerless and distressed, this was a level of turmoil I hadn''t experienced even upon discovering Conrad and Haley''s affair.


    "If Conrad has any conscience, he''ll


    stop Haley from going through with it," Fanny understood the


    significance of the child''s existence too closed my eyes, "Let''s hope he still has some conscience left."


    While I was trying topose myself in Fanny''s lounge, Conrad called me, "Can you talk to Fanny for me? Ask her not to go through with Haley''s procedure." His words almost made him sound human.


    I ryed Fanny''s message to him, finally adding, "Conrad, Haley previously used the child to tie you down, and now she wants to get rid of it for you. Whether the child stays or goes isn''t for Fanny to decide; it''s on you." Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Conrad paused, then, with a hint of surprise, asked, "You know?"


    "Haley came to me, asking if Herschel and Jacqueline would ept her child," I told him the truth.


    Conrad fell silent, likely pondering my response. After a moment, he hung up, and I left the clinic.


    When Jefferson saw me, he wasn''t surprised but instead offered a smile, "Up for a few rounds?" "Do you know where Aiden''s grave is?" I asked him.