Chapter 7

Her remark would cause a misunderstanding easily. Rickard frowned and said, “I’m married.” “You were supposed to be mine! Mine!” Juniper’s tears streamed down more profusely as if she was triggered by him. He used to care for her sincerely in the past after all. The vigilance in Rickard’s eyes diminished a little, and he pulled out a tissue that he passed to her. “Don’t cry. Don't you like to look pretty? Your eyes will swell from crying.” “I’ve already lost you, so I don’t care about beauty anymore.” Juniper suddenly hugged him and leaned her face into his chest. Rickard’s entire body shook. He was about to push her away when she said, “I didn’t leave willingly all those years ago. I was diagnosed with a tumor, and the doctor told me that I could possibly be infertile. I don’t know how Hesper found out about my condition, but she told Mr. Duval Sr., who came to see me with her and forced me to leave you.” “What?” Rickard’s expression was filled with shock. He had always taken her act of leaving him to heart because he thought that she had fallen for someone else. Doesn’t that mean that I’ve misunderstood her all this time, and the problem came from my side? Juniper was extremely sad, her eyes reddening with tears like an innocent child. “I was afraid that my infertility would slow you down. Also, Hesper pressured me and claimed that she could bear children for you, so I decided to leave because I refused to be humiliated further.” “Are you telling the truth?” A storm began brewing in Rickard’s eyes as if it would destroy everything. Juniper was rather terrified by him in his current state. But she could not allow herself to cower, so she immediately raised her hand and pledged, “I swear that every word I said is true. If I’m lying, I won’t be able to have a child for the rest of my life!” “Nonsense!” Rickard immediately pulled down her hand. He felt extremely guilty in his heart; his eyes were bloodshot. “You’ve been wronged because of me while I’ve only just found out about it today. Don’t worry, I promise that if what you said is true, I won't let her off for doing this.” How dare you use grandfather to break up Juniper and me, how dare you, Hesper! … “Wake up, Mrs. Duval.” Hesper was awakened by a servant in the Duvals’ residence. She opened her eyes to find the kitchen helper, Wanda. Wanda served a bowl of chicken soup and said cautiously, “You can’t allow yourself to eat poorly when you’re recovering from a childbirth, Mrs. Duval. I made this for you in secret. No one saw me. Drink this while it’s still hot, quick.” Wanda was afraid that Hesper would be worried, so she lowered her voice and said, “Madam and Ms. Duval are out, and there’s no one else at home now. Eat something so you can gain some strength, quick!” “Thank you, Wanda.” Tears welled up in Hesper’s eyes; it had been a long time since she was treated with kindness. She took the chicken soup and began eating it in large gulps. Wanda felt sorry for her. “Madam and miss have gone too far. You could still eat and dress well when Mr. Duval Sr. was still at home previously. They're so inhumane to you these days. It’s a shame that I’m just a nobody here, and I can’t do much to help you, Mrs. Duval.” “Don’t say that. I’m already very grateful that you're willing to serve me a bowl of soup.” While the people of this family were very cold to her, Wanda was the only person who would treat her kindly. However, no one could know about Wanda’s kindness. Otherwise, Wanda would be in trouble along with her. “Thank you very much, Wanda. You should quickly go before anyone sees you.” “Noted, Mrs. Duval.” Wanda took back the empty bowl and said piteously, “Do take care of yourself. Everything is going to be better when Mr. Duval Sr. is back.” “I know.” Hesper forced a smile but her heart was filled with sorrow. Everything is not going to be better when grandfather is back, but it will come to an end. After she had the soup, she finally had the strength to move. She missed her child, so she washed up and went to the nursery. Hesper picked up the baby cautiously. It was tiny, soft, sweet-smelling and chubby. “I’m here to see you, my precious.” She could not refrain herself from rubbing her face against the baby. There was no telling if the baby could sense that she was his mother, but he moved his arms and legs in joy. He also babbled as if he was talking to her. “My sweet baby.” Hesper’s eyes were moist with tears as she looked at her sweet baby, but there was nothing she could do to stay with him. All of a sudden… “Hesper!” A raging roar was heard coming from behind her. Before she could respond, her arm was pulled strenuously by someone. “My baby!” She hastily protected the child in her arms, but she was pulled backward by such immense force that her black slammed into the changing table. “Ouch…” Hesper let out a muffled grunt and looked at the person before her. Rickard’s expression was filled with anger. He looked like he was dissecting her with his cold, sharp eyes. “Rickard, you should mind where you are if you want to throw a fit. Didn't you see me holding the baby in my arms? What if…” “Who do you think you are to talk about the child with me?” Rickard interrupted her in rage. He bore with it for a night, but he could bear it no more at that very moment. “Tell me, what did you and grandfather do to Juniper?” “What are you talking about?” Hesper was baffled, but then she saw Juniper walking into the room soon afterward. She was incredulous that Rickard had actually brought Juniper to the house so openly. Rickard clutched her arm tightly and forced her to look at him. “Why are you still pretending? Did you meet Juniper before she left the country?” He spoke so loudly that the baby began bawling loudly. “Oh, my sweet baby, don’t cry, don’t cry.” Hesper coaxed the baby in a flurry. She was infuriated by the sight of Rickard standing there like a guardian. “Get some medicine if you’re sick, Rickard. Don’t act like a mad man in the morning!” How dare this woman scold me? Rickard’s expression turned unpleasant. Meanwhile, Juniper glanced at Hesper and the baby ferociously and said in a pitiful tone, “Hesper, tell the truth. You came to see me on a few occasions before I left the country, didn’t you?” “I did come to see you, but that was because…” Hesper furrowed her eyebrows. She was interrupted by the crying Juniper just as she was about to explain herself. “It was because you came to see me that I decided to leave so that you could be with Rickard. Now that I’m back, please return Rickard to me. I’m begging you…” As she spoke, she pretended to initiate a bow. “You’re not the one who should be bowing!” Rickard shouted in anger and shifted his gaze to Hesper’s face. He looked at her as if he was looking at an enemy. “Bow down and explain yourself clearly, or else, don’t even think about seeing the child ever again!” “What? You’re asking me to bow down?” Hesper was incredulous and felt trapped by grief. She never thought that after loving him for so many years, she would be humiliated in the end. Rickard did not have the slightest ounce of respect for her.