Chapter 1434


    All the pride, excitement, and joy that Cedric felt evaporated the moment he heard Bernard’s cold


    interruption.


    “Bernard, that’s low, I don’t want to talk to you, I-” But before he could finish, the call was abruptly


    ended, and Cedric’s heart went from cold to boiling with rage in an instant.


    “To hell with Bernard, wait till he has a kid-I’ll make sure toe up with the most hideous nickname I


    can think of for his kid!”


    Grumbling under his breath, Cedric put down his phone and continued to wait outside the maternity


    ward, flowers in hand, for Hailey.


    On the other end, Bernard hooked a smirk as he pocketed his phone and looked towards his wife


    Eleanor, who was eyeing him with surprise. “What?” He asked.


    Eleanor, resting her chin on her hand and tilting her head, sized up Bernard, “I never knew my husband


    had a mischievous streak.” Bernard leaned in, rubbing his nose against hers with a yful gesture,


    “Just figuring that out now, aren’t you a littlete?” Inhaling the faint scent of cedar from his clothes,


    Eleanor smiled, “Kinda feels like walking into the lion’s den.”


    Wrapping an arm around her, Bernard pulled her closer for a kiss. “How about we walk into that den


    again tonight?” Eleanor was left speechless.


    By the time their private jet touched down at the hospital, Hailey had already been moved out of the


    delivery room. Rtives and friends came in waves to congratte Cedric and Hailey.


    When Bernard and Eleanor entered the hospital room, it was filled with flowers and gift boxes, most of


    which were from the Laurence family.


    Hailey was resting on the hospital bed, taking small spoonful of the soup that Cedric was feeding her,


    and smiling at the baby Veronica was cradling.


    Veronica held a baby girl, while Latonia had a baby boy, and Quin sat beside them, browsing a book


    of baby names.


    ke was also there, sitting across from Quin, preparing to pick out some nice names.


    They were so engrossed that they didn’t notice the couple’s arrival until Hailey called out, prompting


    everyone to turn around. “Eleanor!”


    Seeing Eleanor, Hailey immediately beamed and waved her over, “Come here!”


    Eleanor responded with a smile and approached, carrying a little gift box.


    With the Laurence elders present, Eleanor naturally greeted them first.


    Mrs. Laurence was quite kind to her, and both she and her husband responded warmly to Eleanor’s


    congrattions.


    As for ke, he had been keeping an eye on Eleanor’s belly ever since she entered.


    Seemingly content with the pregnancy news, he even acknowledged her when she called him


    ‘Grandpa’, a stark contrast to his earlier vehement opposition.


    After greeting the elders, Eleanor exchanged a few words with Veronica, who graciously encouraged


    her to go talk to Hailey.


    Eleanor nodded at Veronica, turned and made her way to Hailey’s bedside.


    “How are you, Hailey? Are you feeling alright? Any difort?”


    It was different with close friends-the first concern was always for her wellbeing, unlike others who were


    more focused on the babies.


    Especially ke, who initially had no interest in visiting upon hearing about the birth of a girl, but


    changed his tune when a boy was born shortly after.


    Even though an ultrasound had revealed twins a while back, the couple hadn’t shared the news with


    Bernard and Eleanor due to


    recent events.


    Now that Eleanor was safely back and showing such concern, Hailey felt a sweet, warm surge of


    affection, “I’m doing great, no worries at all. And you?”


    Hailey didn’t dare ask too much in the presence of the others, simply holding Eleanor’s hand in hers.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    “I’m good too, don’t worry.” After Eleanor reassured her, she gently brushed away the stray locks from


    Hailey’s forehead and tucked them behind her ear, “You’ve done so well, Hailey.”


    09-16


    The same Hailey who once wielded a broom to defend her had be the mother of two, a role both


    grand and hard-earned. Seeing the emotion in Eleanor’s eyes, Hailey understood the concern and


    couldn’t help but feel her own eyes well up with tears, “Marrying the right person, having kids-it’s all


    part of life’s natural course. There’s nothing tough about it.”


    By any measure, Hailey felt her life was blessed.


    She had a husband who loved, doted on, and was willing to change for her.


    She had given birth to twins in one go, sparing herself a secondbor.


    Though she owned a nightclub and wasn’t short on cash, she had effectively married into wealth.


    Socially, she and her children had leapfrogged sses.


    For someone with a modest educational background, life had turned out quite well indeed.


    But the sweetest part? Being able to share sisterly bonds with her best friend Eleanor. Could anyone


    be luckier?


    Content with her lot, Hailey felt no hardship even though childbirth had been a brush with death.


    Knowing Hailey was content and well, Eleanor squeezed her hand and changed the subject.


    “I brought a little something for the twins, a wish for their safe and healthy growth.”


    Eleanor opened the gift box and retrieved two customized gold bracelets, handing them to Hailey.