Carl’s voice was pleasant, gentle, and pure, as if it possessed a kind of magic that unconsciously made the corners of one’s lips curl upward.


    Nana smiled as she held her phone, wanting to speak but unsure of what to say.


    Pausing for a moment, she politely declined Carl’s offer, “No need, I have some savings of my own, and my parents are also supporting me.”


    “That’s a separate matter. Regardless of what happens between us, I will always be Janelle’s father,” Carl responded calmly, understanding that Nana still harbored resentment.


    Seizing the opportunity of this conversation, Carl hoped to reconcile with Nana when he returned, so he tentatively expressed his position.


    “Nana, do you know why I went out of town to film?” Carl asked softly.


    “To earn more money?” Nana asked back.


    “It’s not solely for the money,” Carl denied Nana’s spection, exining with a low voice, “Actually, I wanted to distance myself from Grace. Now that she has had a miscarriage, it no longer matters whose child it was.”


    He was honest with Nana, wanting her to understand that he had never cared about Grace, including the unborn child.


    Not to mention Carl believed that he had never been involved with Grace.


    “Is that all there is to it?” Nana couldn’t quiteprehend.


    In her view, even if the child in Grace’s womb was gone, it didn’t mean there was no connection between her and Carl.


    At least this experience couldn’t be erased.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    “I didn’t mean it that way, I just hope we can look forward,” Carl responded, always worried that he might say something wrong and trigger Nana’s sensitive and fragile emotions.


    “Well, maybe you’re right…” Nana didn’t have the inclination to argue with Carl, casually brushing past the topic.


    The two of them talked on the phone for more than ten minutes, and after hanging up, Nana’s heart once again fell into turmoil.


    She understood Carl’s feelings for her, and she couldn’t deny that she couldn’t let go of him either.


    But ever since Grace appeared, it seemed that they could never return to what they had before.


    “Ah…” Nana sighed softly, and at that moment, she happened to see William walking towards her with a smile on his face.


    Looking at William’s smiling expression, Nana inexplicably felt guilty and hurriedly put away her phone.


    She couldn’t exin why she wanted to keep Carl’s recent phone call a secret from William.


    Perhaps it was due to some conflicted emotions. She understood that William’s feelings for her were not simply those of friendship.


    Therefore, William’s kindness made Nana feel indebted to him in a way that was difficult to repay.


    A few more days passed, and Jerry and Tracy’s injuries had mostly healed. After the doctor examined the couple, they were informed that they could be discharged at any time.


    With her parents safe and sound, Nana’s tightly wound nerves finally rxed after more than a month.


    On that day, Nana left her daughter in the hospital room and prepared to go home to do some cleaning.


    However, as soon as she stepped out of the hospital building, she received a call from Carl.


    “Nana, I’ll be back next week. Can Ie to see our daughter then?”


    Hearing Carl’s request, Nana was torn about whether to agree or not.


    She had never told Carl about Jerry and Tracy being in the hospital.


    “Okay.”


    After thinking for a few seconds, she simply responded with a word.


    Upon hearing Nana’s agreement, Carl’s voice clearly became more joyful.


    “I dreamt of Janellest night. She was sleeping on my chest, so well-behaved and cute.”


    Carl spoke in a warm voice, describing his dream, then suddenly changed the topic, “By the way, I sent you a gift. It should arrive in two or three days. I hope you’ll like it.”


    Upon learning that Carl had sent a gift, Nana was somewhat surprised.


    “Thank you. I’ll call you back once I receive it,” she replied politely.


    Although Carl didn’t like feeling distant from Nana, her eptance of the gift was enough to satisfy him.


    After a brief conversation, Nana put her phone in her bag and continued walking forward.


    But as soon as she took a step, she noticed a young woman in a white professional suit staring at her.


    Observing the young woman’s figure and appearance, Nana felt a sense of familiarity.


    “Scarlet?” she muttered to herself.


    At the same time, Scarlet’s attention also met Nana’s gaze.


    “Miss Lawson, what a coincidence!” Scarlet greeted proactively, but there was an unmistakable hostility emanating from her.


    Today, Scarlet had originallye to the hospital to find William, but unexpectedly ran into Nana downstairs.


    Recognizing Nana as William’s friend, Nana greeted her politely, with a gentle smile, “Yes, it’s been a long time since west met. Are you here to visit friends or family at the hospital?”


    Nana initially thought Scarlet was a straightforward and sincere girl, so she had no guard against her.


    But Scarlet turned out to be quite the opposite. She scrutinized Nana’s slender face and responded harshly, “I’m here to find William. He quit his job because of you and even moved. It took me quite some time to find out where he lives now.”


    Hearing these words, Nana’s expression showed surprise.


    Even though Scarlet didn’t explicitly say it, Nana could hear the me in her tone.


    Suddenly, Nana felt her throat dry up. She paused for a moment before asking slowly, “He moved? William has never mentioned it to me…”


    “Of course, he wouldn’t tell you,” Scarlet sarcasticallyughed and gave Nana a jealous nce. “You’re the one in William’s heart. How could he let you see his miserable side?”


    This rhetorical question left Nana unsure of how to respond.


    But she could understand that William’s current situation of despair was closely rted to her.


    Seeing Nana lower her gaze and fall into silence, Scarlet continued talking to herself.


    Since Nana gave birth to her daughter, William had quit his job.


    He had intended to take care of her, but he was repeatedly driven away by Jerry and Tracy.


    Strong feelings of inferiority made his mood extremely depressed, and he drowned his sorrows in alcohol every day.


    Before long, he had spent all his savings in this dissolute lifestyle.


    Eventually, he couldn’t afford the rent and ended up moving into a dpidated house on the outskirts of the city.


    During his days of poverty, he took on odd jobs all over the city, using the money he earned to buy alcohol.


    As for Scarlet, she had fallen deeply in love with William during their time together as volunteer teachers in the northwest.


    After they lost contact, Scarlet did everything she could to find out his whereabouts.


    Now that she had finally found William, she coincidentally ran into Nana talking to Carl on the phone.


    Thus, Scarlet felt indignant and told Nana about William’s current situation, not mincing her words.


    “Miss Lawson, don’t be too selfish. What are you doing, enjoying the best of both worlds? Don’t you think you’re despicable?”


    “I…” Nana was rendered speechless by the question.


    Instantly, a hint of shame and pain appeared in her eyes.