Chapter 10

The girl who was still sobbing a minute ago was now grinning from ear to ear when Meredith started eating. After clearing the bowl of pasta, Meredith looked up at the girl and thanked her, "Thank you for the food, I really appreciate it." With the empty bowl in her hands, the girl smiled and said, "You're welcome. I'm happy as long as the baby is healthy." "Thank you, but…" Meredith noticed that the girl seemed somewhat mentally unstable, but still, she said to her, "Miss, can you please help me keep a secret and don't tell anyone about my child?" "Why do we have to keep it a secret?" "Because they are evil people out there who want to kill my baby, so I have to keep it a secret." Upon hearing that the baby might be in danger, the girl put a serious look on her face and pressed a finger on her lips making a hush sign. She then said, "Okay, we'll keep it a secret. We'll protect the baby." Meredith did not expect to meet a kind-hearted person even when she was in this miserable situation. Even though the girl was mentally unstable, Meredith was still grateful. "I'm Meredith Leighton, but you can call me Edith," Meredith introduced herself and asked, "May I know how I should address you?" "I'm Qira Francis," answered the girl. … After finding out that her baby was still alive, Meredith did not go against the two working staff anymore. She would eat everything that was served to her, be it cold bread or cold pasta. For her baby's health, she even begged and pleaded with the working staff for some meat. Meredith was determined to do all she could to protect herself and her baby. She planned to do a paternity test after giving birth to the baby to prove her innocence. The two working staff exchanged looks with each other and scoffed, "Where did the high and mighty Miss Leighton go? Is this the best you could do?" "Seeing how you're begging us, there, have some meat," Miss Linda, one of the working staff, sneered and threw a sausage bun at her. The sausage bun landed at Meredith's feet. "Thank you, Miss Linda," Meredith thanked her and quickly bent over to pick up the bun. However, before she could pick up the bun, a pair of red high heels stepped on the bun. Meredith froze. She knew immediately who the owner of the red heels was. The evil woman was here to pick a fight with her again. "Oh no you poor thing, do you want this sausage bun?" In a mocking tone, Ysabelle asked as she lifted her foot off the bun. Looking at the crushed sausage bun, she continued, "But I'm afraid you'd have to kneel and eat it off the floor." Meredith sat still and remained silent. For the sake of her child, she did not want to get on the wrong side of Ysabelle. Seeing how Meredith kept quiet, Ysabelle burst into laughter and said, "Oh my dear Meredith, I'm sure Doctor Finn would feed you something after he takes your blood. After all, it will take some time before Yena gets better." At the mention of taking her blood, Meredith felt chills running down her spine. She had no objections to saving Yena with her blood as Yena would be able to prove her innocence when she regained her consciousness. However, she was worried that she would lose her baby again if too much blood was taken from her body. She heard footsteps nearing her room. It was Doctor Finn, and he brought with him pieces of equipment for taking blood. "I don't want to…" Shaking her head, Meredith begged as she inched backward to a corner of the room and went on, "I don't want to give my blood, please don't…" With Doctor Finn around, Ysabelle changed her attitude instantly as she looked at Meredith empathetically and tried to comfort her, "Meredith, to be honest, Josiah didn't want to take your blood, but that would put Yena in danger. Do you really want to see Yena die?" "I don't want to!" Meredith cried out as she started crawling frantically toward Finn and tugged at his robe while pleading, "Doctor Finn, you've taken a thousand milliliters of blood just half a month ago, I'll die if you take more. Please, I'm begging you…" Doctor Finn studied Meredith who was cowering at his feet. Meredith looked even thinner than the last time he saw her. Her eyes were filled with tears, which made her look more lowly and weak. 'How did the once well-respected young lady end up this way…' Finn wondered to himself. "Meredith, Doctor Finn is only doing what he was told. Let's not put him in a difficult situation," said Ysabelle who was pretending to be kind. She then said, "Doctor Finn, Josiah wants you to take a thousand milliliters of blood from her, but I do think that it's a bit too much. Why not reduce the amount?" A thousand milliliters… 'Josiah Shelby, do you really have to go to this far?' Meredith thought to herself. Tears filled up her eyes again. "My apologies, Mrs. Shelby. I'm only doing as I'm told," Even though Finn felt bad for Meredith, he had no other choice as Josiah was determined to save Yena. After setting up the equipment, Finn asked for Meredith's arm and requested, "Please cooperate with me, Mrs. Shelby." Still sobbing, Meredith did not reach out her arms but shook her head and wept, "Josiah shouldn't be treating me like this, he will be sorry…" "Get away from Edith!" Qira who suddenly barged into the room shouted. She stood in front of Meredith with her arms wide open and shouted angrily, "Edith had made it clear that she doesn't want to give her blood, why are you guys forcing her!" "Who is this crazy woman? She almost tripped over Doctor Finn's equipment," Ysabelle scolded and went on, "Get her out of here this instance!" Under Ysabelle's orders, Qira was dragged out of the room. Meredith, on the other hand, was forcefully pressed down on the floor.