Chapter 9

Nina bit her lower lip so hard that it nearly bled. Her earlier resolve crumbled in an instant. She turned to Abigail. "I was wrong, Mom. I'll apologize to Wendy." Abigail hesitated briefly before a relieved smile spread across her face. "As long as you understand your mistake. Come inside. It's cold outside." So, she did know it was cold outside. Swallowing her bitterness, Nina stepped into the hall. Under Wendy's mocking gaze, she lowered her head and said, "I'm sorry." "Weren't you just acting all tough earlier?" Wendy smirked triumphantly, linking her arm through Shane's as she shot Nina a gloating look. "What's wrong? The moment you saw Shane, you gave in?" She knew Nina feared Shane more than anything. As long as Shane was on her side, Nina would always be beneath her. Nina lowered her gaze, her long lashes trembling slightly, casting a delicate shadow beneath her eyes. Like fragile butterfly wings, they quivered. She remained silent, which only made Wendy more arrogant. "Nina, you indeed know when to yield." Nina pressed her lips together. It was just humiliation. She could endure it. Wendy's ridicule was nothing compared to the fear Shane instilled in her. She kept quiet, her figure thin and frail. Her face was pale from the hour she had spent in the freezing cold. Her lips were tinged with a faint blue. Seeing this, Abigail's heart softened, and she stepped in to ease the tension. "Since Nina has admitted her mistake and apologized, let's leave it at that, Wendy. It's late. Why don't we all rest and discuss things tomorrow?" She turned to the maids. "Prepare some ginger spice brew and bring it to Nina later." "Mom!" Wendy huffed in displeasure, glaring at Nina. Just the sight of Abigail showing her concern for Nina made Wendy furious. She glared and declared, "I don't care. She has to leave Brakenridge! Forget whether she's cursing me or not—her mere presence here is a disaster! This wretched woman still has her eyes on Yvan. If she stays, she'll do anything she can do to seduce him." "I won't do that," Nina denied it, confused about why Wendy was so wary of her. She hadn't had any contact with Yvan in a long time. He no longer belonged in her world. "Stop pretending!" Wendy refused to believe her, gritting her teeth at the sight of Nina's weary yet delicate appearance. "Is this how you lure men? Acting so weak and pitiful? You're nothing but a lowly seductress!" "Wendy, Nina—" Abigail frowned, attempting to defend Nina. Having raised her for years, she knew Nina wasn't that kind of person. But Wendy, seeing Abigail take Nina's side, grew even more agitated. Her eyes reddened instantly. "She's still trying to seduce Yvan! I saw her sneaking into the hospital to chase after him!" Seeing Wendy on the verge of tears, Abigail immediately forgot about Nina, rushing to comfort Wendy instead. "I misspoke, Wendy. Don't be upset. It's not good for your health. You're still carrying a child—you're right about everything. Just calm down, okay?" Since her outburst had left her feeling unwell, Wendy had no choice but to retire to her room. Nina, avoiding Shane's gaze, returned to her own room, too. She had once lived on the third floor of the Lawson residence, in the sunniest room. But after Wendy's return, she was moved to a small room on the second floor, right next to a storage room. It was dimly lit, and the maids, eager to please Wendy, often piled miscellaneous items outside her door. But Nina didn't care. She rarely stayed here anyway, and she had no personal belongings left. Clearing the clutter blocking her doorway, she stepped inside. The room smelled damp, and scattered debris covered the floor. There wasn't even a proper place to stand, let alone rest. The maids, eager to curry favor with Wendy, did such things without fear of Abigail's reprimand. Even if she noticed, Wendy would say a few words, and the matter would be brushed aside. Nina stood in the doorway, dazed. After some time, she made her way to Abigail's room. She knew Abigail's schedule well. She always retired to bed around 11:00 pm, meaning she would be in her room by 10:30 pm. Knocking on the door, she waited. "Nina?" Abigail sounded surprised, frowning as she noticed Nina was still in her day clothes. She let her inside, reaching out to touch her hand—only to pull back in shock at how cold it was. "Nina, why haven't you taken a hot bath and changed yet? You're already in poor health. You'll suffer if you catch a cold." Nina forced a small smile. How could she bathe or change in that room? All the clothes Abigail had once prepared for her had been shredded by Wendy. But Nina didn't bother mentioning it. Even if she did, nothing would change—Abigail would only sigh and feel troubled. Instead, she gently grasped Abigail's hand, her voice hoarse. "Mom, please don't send me away from Brackenridge." She had been planning and saving for so long. Just a little more time, and she could leave on her own terms, escaping Shane's grasp completely. She couldn't afford to be sent away now. "This—" Abigail looked troubled, her face clouded with hesitation. She believed Wendy's words. She was afraid Nina's presence might bring harm to Wendy. Nina shut his eyes briefly before suddenly dropping to her knees. Abigail gasped and rushed to pull her up, but Nina refused to move. "Mom, I really can't leave. Please, I'm begging you—" Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at Abigail, silent but heartbreaking. Unlike Wendy's wailing, which demanded attention, Nina's quiet sorrow was far more piercing. "Alright." Abigail exhaled deeply and crouched down, pulling Nina into her arms. "Don't cry, Nina. I promise you." Nina closed her eyes and rested her head on Abigail's shoulder. Her silent tears kept falling, unstoppable. … The next morning at breakfast, Abigail announced that Nina would not be leaving. "If Nina and Wendy can't get along, they should just avoid each other—" Before she could finish, Wendy slammed her milk cup onto the table, startling everyone. "Mom, did she say something to you? I knew she was scheming!" Her face turned red with anger. Grabbing a piece of bread, she hurled it at Nina. Nina barely moved, tilting slightly to avoid it, but splatters of jam still landed on her clothes. Pressing her pale lips together, she silently grabbed a napkin and began wiping the stains away. Abigail hurried to calm Wendy down, soothing her for a long time. Considering her pregnancy, Wendy eventually swallowed her rage, though she remained disgruntled. Turning to Abigail, she fumed, "Mom, don't be fooled by her! She's not as innocent as she looks! "I saw her at the OB-GYN last time. Who knows, she might be pregnant with some bastard's child? If that gets out, it'll ruin our family's reputation!" "Don't say such things. Nina wouldn't do that." Abigail defended, but when she turned to Nina, she added, "The health checkup is coming up. Nina, come with us to the hospital." Nina's heart clenched. She knew. They were suspicious. Especially when Shane, who had been silent all this time, gave her a casual glance—light, yet sharp enough to make her entire body tense. If she slipped up and they dragged her to the hospital, there would be no hiding it. But she couldn't refuse outright, either. Thinking fast, Nina furrowed her brows, feigning reluctance before nodding, "Fine, but I'm not pregnant. There's no need to go to the hospital." "That won't be necessary." Shane, who had been quietly eating, set down his fork and spoke coldly, "Dr. Dale will be here in a few days. She can check her then." Calla was a renowned specialist in gynecology. With her handling the examination, there was no room for doubt. Abigail, reassured by this, dropped the subject.