Chapter 186

Richard's cold presence surrounded Nina.

He was way too close!

His bent leg touched hers, trapping her between him and the glass.

Just as Nina was about to move, he brought a piece of beef to her lips.

"Open your mouth," Richard ordered, holding a fork.

Nina froze.

Before she could react, he pinched her chin, causing her to open her mouth slightly. He shoved the beef in.

Nina frowned.

As soon as she tasted the beef, he warned, "Spit it out, and I'll pull Mrs. Jose's oxygen tube right now."

Nina stared at him, shocked.

"Don't believe me? Try it," he challenged.

Nina knew he meant it. Richard was ruthless. He had shot out Charlie's eyeball. Killing her would be easy.

She chewed and swallowed the beef.

Richard's tense expression eased a bit, and he offered another piece.

Their interaction had drawn attention.

"I'll eat by myself," Nina said.

Richard didn't respond, just moved his chair back across the table.

Not far away, Kelsey and Isabella had seen everything.

Kelsey exhaled. "Mr. Cole really knows how to handle Nina."

Isabella smiled, taking Kelsey's hand. "Let's head back."

"Yeah, let's go."

They almost bumped into someone as they turned.

It was Michael, Richard's subordinate.

Unlike Richard, Michael had fair skin and sharp features, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

He crossed his arms, smirking at them. "Following Richard, huh? It's you two."

Kelsey had seen Michael before but didn't know his name.

"What's your name?" she asked, curious.

Michael looked at her disdainfully. "Why should I tell you?"

Kelsey rolled her eyes. "Forget it. Let's go, Bella."

As they walked away, Michael raised an eyebrow, amused. "Interesting."

Later that night, Nina was dozing by the hospital bed when she felt someone touch her hair.

She looked up to see Margaret watching her with the gentlest gaze.

Nina sat up, grabbing Margaret's hand. "Mom?"

Margaret was stunned.

The heart monitor beeped, showing a fast heart rate.

Zaire woke up and called the doctor.

Kelsey and Steven also woke up.

The doctor said Margaret was just emotional, causing her heart rate to spike.

Margaret waking up meant she was out of the critical period.

"Mom," Kelsey cried, rushing over.

Steven and Zaire, too embarrassed to cry, had wet eyes.

Margaret held Kelsey's hand and reached out to Nina.

Nina wiped her tears and took her hand. "Mom, I'm sorry."

A tear slid down Margaret's cheek.

Nina finally mended the rift with the Jose family.

Margaret stayed in the hospital for over a week, with Nina and Kelsey by her side.

When Margaret was discharged, Nina officially moved in with the Jose family.

Seeing this, Isabella felt more touched than sad. She was at peace with Nina reconnecting with her past.

The court's verdict came: Nina and Charlie divorced. Charlie's car and house were confiscated to cover his $80,000 debt.

Raymond got three years in prison.

Charlie was sentenced to death.

Surprisingly, Charlie took all the blame at the last moment.

Vanessa spent five days in detention and came out looking gaunt.

Back at Pine Hill Residences, she soaked in the tub, scrubbing herself thoroughly.

After her bath, she went downstairs to eat. Her phone was filled with news about Charlie, making her nauseous.

She lost her appetite and left the restaurant, still feeling sick.

Holding her chest, she remembered something and headed to the pharmacy.

As expected.

Vanessa stared at the positive pregnancy test, bewildered.

She was pregnant!

It must have happened during those days in the basement with Charlie.

She hadn't taken any precautions.

Vanessa suddenly realized why Charlie took all the blame. He must have known she was pregnant!

She threw the test stick away and pounded her stomach. "I don't want your child! Go to hell!"

But no matter how much she pounded, nothing happened.

She bought two boxes of abortion pills and took them all at once.

In the afternoon, her experienced intense abdominal pain.

Vanessa didn't care and lay on the bed, waiting for the baby to be expelled.

After a nap, the bed was clean, and her pain was gone. The baby was still there!

Unable to stand it, Vanessa grabbed her bag and took a cab to the hospital.

It was too late, and the doctor told her to come back the next day for the procedure.

Vanessa spent the night at a bar, drinking heavily.

The next day, she showed up at the hospital reeking of alcohol.

The doctor shook his head, gave her the surgery consent form, and told her to pay and prepare.

Vanessa staggered out and saw Sebastian at the payment kiosk.