“Many unfortunate events may have transpired between you and Mr. Lenoir afterward,” she began, her


    words measured and deliberate, “but he has tirelessly endeavored to reconcile and has never ceased


    searching for you.”


    “As for what you mentioned, Alexis being the child of you and your first love….” Frances shook her


    head with a knowing smile. “That scenario is even more imusible,” she asserted calmly.


    Her hands tightly sped together, Cherise tilted her head inquisitively as she locked eyes with


    Frances. “Why is it impossible?” she questioned, her brow furrowing with curiosity.


    With a serene smile, Frances proceeded to elucidate, cing the aromatherapy machine on the


    windowsill as she spoke. “Such fabrications are often concocted by men whockmon sense,” she


    exined patiently.


    Cherise Turrowed her brow, her confusion evident as she continued to gaze at Frances, seeking further


    rification and understanding.


    As Frances positioned the aromatherapy machine on the windowsill, she turned to Cherise with a


    smile, preparing to elucidate. “These intricacies are often clearer to women,” she remarked softly.


    “Consider this: Alexis is four and a half years old this year, born just under six months after Soren and


    Sera.


    Frances paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle. “Pregnancy typicallysts ten months,” she


    continued, her tone gently guiding Cherise’s understanding.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    With a subtle wink, she posed a thought-provoking question. “How could you have given birth to Alexis


    in such a short span after Soren and Sera?”


    Cherise was rendered speechless.


    Frances exnation does indeed appear to be usible and grounded in logic…


    She pursed her lips, a realization dawning upon her that Sebastian had indeed deceived her.


    Turning her gaze to Frances’s retreating form, Cherise couldn’t help but seek further guidance. “So.


    Frances,” she began tentatively, her voice tinged with uncertainty, “if both men have deceived you,


    which one would you choose?”


    Frances paused momentarily, caught off guard by the unexpected inquiry. However, she quickly


    composed herself and turned to face Cherise with a warm smile. “As a loyal servant of the Lenoir


    family, I would naturally advise you to choose Mr. Lenoir,” she replied diplomatically.


    “But I understand that may not be the answer you’re seeking.”


    “If I were in your position,” she confessed, her eyes gleaming with mischief, “I wouldn’t choose either.


    Instead, I would feign illness to observe their reactions.”


    Cherise, her lips pursed in contemtion. “Just like that?” she echoed.


    “Yes,” Frances affirmed simply.


    Frances approached Cherise and gently tucked her into bed, her movements imbued with a sense of


    maternal care. “I may be old and thus tend to be more pragmatic,” she began, her voice soft yet


    resolute.


    “In situations where both parties have deceived me, I would choose the one who consistently


    demonstrates kindness and concern for my well-being.”


    She paused, her eyes meeting Cherise’s with unwavering sincerity. “Even if he has deceived me, it


    may have been with good intentions rather than ulterior motives, she exined.


    “However, if the individual who deceives me shows no care when I am unwell, it may indicate deeper


    intentions.


    After Frances left, Cherise closed her eyes and contemted deeply while lying on the bed.


    She acknowledged the validity of Frances’s perspective, yet a sense of constraint weighed heavily


    upon her.


    Confined by Damien’s control, even if Sebastian wished to provide care, hecked the resources to do


    Despite any genuine care Damien may show her, Cherise cannot easily overlook their tumultuous past.


    She has evolved from the person she once was and cannot pretend to be indifferent.


    At eight o’clock in the evening. Damien returned home, hisughter with the children downstairs


    echoing through the house.


    Cherise remained confined to her bedroom, where the sounds of Damien’sughter and the children’s


    joy downstairs echoed through the house. She could discern their shared meals, yful games, and


    the general revelry from her solitary perch upstairs.


    Cherise, however, remained confined to her small bedroom, with dinner brought to her by Frances.


    At half past nine in the evening, Cherise discerned Damien’s footsteps as he exited the children’s


    bedroom


    The lengthy corridor seemed unusually quiet, amplifying the sound of his approach towards her room,


    one footstep after the other.


    Damien was walking towards her bedroom.


    Shortly after, the door swung open, revealing Damien dressed in light gray loungewear, his demeanor


    carrying an air of nobility and aloofness.


    Furrowing his brow slightly, Damien addressed the skipped dinner. “Frances mentioned that you didn’t


    cal, he remarked with concern


    Cherise turned away, her expression resolute. “I couldn’t bring myself to eat, she admitted, her voice


    firm “I won’t cat until you provide me with answers”


    Damien sighed, acknowledging theplexity of the situation. “There are numerous matters that I


    cannot rify all at once,” he exined patiently.


    “Then exin it slowly.”