Chapter 605

Anthony shook his head, "Man, you're just green with envy. Seriously, you should be thanking Layla. Marrying Samuel would've been a total disaster for you."

"Haha, she wrecked my life, and I should thank her?" Nora let out this crazy laugh, her chest heaving, and her pretty face twisting up. "Anthony, what kind of spell did she put on you? You're so mixed up, you can't even see straight!"

"She trashed my happiness, and you helped her. She tried to kill Mom, and you still backed her up! Is she really that great? Why?" Nora snapped, her voice full of anger.

"I think there's more to Mom's death. And about you and Samuel, you can't pin that on Layla. She's innocent. Layla, let's bounce." Anthony shielded Layla protectively.

"Don't you dare leave!" Nora charged at them, but Anthony shoved her away.

"Anthony!" Nora screamed, watching her chance slip away. "Anthony! I hate you!"

Once they were in the car, Layla was still shaking.

She used to be fearless, always relying on her skills. But ever since she got pregnant, she had become way more cautious, "Thanks for stepping in back there. If you hadn't shown up when you did, I..."

"I'll always be there when you're in trouble," Anthony said firmly. "I was just out of the country and couldn't get here right away. I'm sorry."

He'd been swamped with the new company overseas, but he thought about her every second, rushing to finish up so he could get back to her. He crammed a three-month project into just one month, driven by the need to be by her side.

Layla shook her head, "Thanks."

"It was Nora who caused the mess. I should be the one apologizing to you."

"How's Mrs. Eilish?"

"The surgery went well. She's out of danger and should wake up tomorrow."

"That's good. I really didn't push her," Layla added.

"I know. My angel would never do something like that. You don't need to explain."

"Thanks, Anthony," Being trusted unconditionally meant the world to her. "By the way, you said she's your stepmom. When did she marry your dad?"

"Why do you wanna know?"

"Just curious."

Anthony didn't think much of it and replied, "Nineteen years ago."

Nineteen years, Layla's heart skipped a beat.

Layla fell into deep thought, 'My mom also left me nineteen years ago. Could Branda really be my mom? Otherwise, why would Branda risk her life to save me? But why does Branda want to drive me out of City A?'

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You're... pregnant." Anthony's eyes fell on her slightly swollen belly.

"Yeah."

"Congrats," Anthony smiled bitterly, "You chose him in the end. I guess we were never meant to be."

"I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize for matters of the heart. You've always loved him. Even though it's hard to accept, I guess I have to wish you well. Your happiness is more important than having you. We'll always be good friends."

Hearing this, Layla was deeply moved, "Yeah, always the best of friends."

They had a friendship of over ten years, and she really valued it.

"Can you promise me one thing? Don't tell Samuel about what Nora did just now, okay? I'll make sure to keep her in check and away from you."

Layla hadn't planned to say anything anyway, especially since Brenda had saved her life. She nodded, "Okay."

"Thanks for being so understanding," Anthony said gratefully.

Layla gave a faint smile, her mind racing with thoughts.

Anthony drove Layla back to her apartment and watched her head upstairs, his heart drowning in endless bitterness. It felt like a never-ending dark night with no light in sight.

The word "friend" had slipped out so easily, but his heart was heavy. For the first time in his life, he had fallen for a woman, and he wanted to marry her, spend his life with her.

But logic told him her happiness was more important. Compared to that, being together was insignificant.

He knew his love for her was something he could never let go of, like a person can't give up air, or they wouldn't survive.

He didn't know how long he could keep this up, but he could only do his best to hide his love for her. All he could do was show up when she needed him, protect her, and help her as much as he could.

Maybe this silent guardianship was a kind of happiness too.

He thought, 'Layla, you gotta take good care of yourself.'

Layla got home and hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to call Frank.

"Layla? It's so late, what's up?" Frank's voice sounded a bit groggy.

"Is Brenda my mother?" Layla asked straight up.

"How did you know?" Frank instantly woke up and asked nervously, "Did she come to see you?"

Layla's suspicion was confirmed.

So it was true...

What had to be faced would eventually be faced. Her previously chaotic mind was exceptionally calm at this moment, though a bit cold.

"Did she come to see you? What did she want?" Layla asked.

"She... she gave me a million bucks to persuade you to leave A City, but I turned her down. I even said I'd return the money. Layla, believe me."

Layla smiled bitterly. They had done so much behind her back.

The person who wronged her was Brenda, but why did she still want to drive her away? It was so absurd.

"So what did she want from you? To make you leave?"

"What else? Did she finally have a pang of conscience and feel guilty, wanting to acknowledge me?" Layla sneered.

Her birth mother finally came back into her life, only to be driven away. How heartless must one be to do such a thing?

"Layla, your mom was wrong back then, but I made bigger mistakes. If I hadn't treated her that way, she wouldn't have run away. I hope you won't blame her too much, and don't hate her."

"Since she abandoned me, she no longer exists in my heart. How could I hate someone who means nothing to me?" Layla's heart was cold, and her voice was equally cold.

"So what are you gonna do?"

"What do you mean, what am I gonna do? I already said she has nothing to do with me. Why should I consider anything? As for her wanting to drive me away, it's impossible. She doesn't have that right," Layla said and hung up the phone.

Her heart was very tired.

If Brenda were completely selfish, it would be easier. Layla could pretend Brenda didn't exist or even hate her. But Brenda had just saved her life.

Why did she do that? Was it out of maternal instinct?

Layla couldn't think of any other reason because Brenda didn't love her. To her, there was only one daughter, and that was Nora.

Fate plays tricks, and the relationship between them was too complicated.

Her phone vibrated; it was Samuel calling.

He was her only warmth.