Chapter 639


    Jolene, who had appeared indifferent just moments earlier, now guarded her abdomen visibly upon


    hearing Esther''s question. Anxiously, she denied, "No, it''s not his. Don''t make unfounded ims."


    "Most men are straightforward. They don''t grasp theplexities of pregnancy. They only see the


    surface," Esther remarked while seated across from Jolene. "If you want to keep this child, perhaps I


    can assist."


    "You? How can you help me?" Jolene maintained her guarded expression. "You''re not trying to lower


    my guard so you can persuade me to give birth and then take my child, aren''t you?"


    "I won''t. I promise." Esther gazed at Jolene with sincerity and advised, "As an expectant mother,


    consider avoiding makeup. Cosmetics can contain harmful substances like lead. Though the risk to


    your child is minimal, safeguarding your child as a mother is your duty, isn''t it?"


    "How can you assist me?" Jolene asked.


    Esther asked instead, "That depends on your desires. Do you want a safe birth for the child, or is there


    something else?"


    "I want the child to be born."


    Jolene knew of Esther. In fact, Esther''s divorce from Bradley had stirred up Inte buzz. She couldn''t


    have not known.


    Nevertheless, what mattered most was that Esther was the woman the man she loved deeply wanted


    to marry.


    Esther had a past—marriage, prison, and motherhood. Yet, Chadwick still wished to marry her, thanks


    to the Quills'' support.


    It was different for Jolene—she was an orphan.


    Had Chadwick not rescued her from that gloomy bar, her life would have spiraled down.


    "I can help you keep the child until you give birth," Esther said.


    Jolene questioned, "How can you assist me?"


    "Dy it," Esther candidly stated. "Considering your physical condition, abortion might not be the best


    option. However, I suggest telling him that you''re carrying his child."


    Esther naively believed that if Chadwick discovered Jolene carried his child, their marriage might be


    postponed. Yet, she could also meet the same fate as Selene.


    "No!" Jolene threatened, "You can''t utter a word. If you dare, I''ll end my life right before you!"


    Esther let out a cold, humorless chuckle. "Silly girl, for whom are you doing this? Who are you


    sacrificing yourself for?


    "Your threat only holds sway over someone who cares for you. But I''m a stranger. Will your threat work


    on me? My rtionship with Mr. Pendleton isn''t what you assume. It won''t alter anything even if you


    link your fate to mine."


    "You..." Jolene struggled for words.


    "You only live once. I once teetered on the edge of death," Esther said with a bitter smile. "I hope you


    never experience that in your life."


    "Can you truly help me?"


    Esther nodded.


    "Then swear you won''t take my child!"


    Esther raised her hand and pledged, "I swear I have no interest in your child."


    She had her own children. Why would she covet another''s?


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Can I really trust you?" Jolene inquired innocently.


    Esther couldn''t help but reminisce about her younger self. She had also loved someone with the same


    fervor as Jolene and daydreamed about bearing their child.


    The innocence of youth would eventually yield to harsh reality.