Chapter 9: The Baby Was Innocent

'I've already split from Nathaniel, so this kid's gonna grow up without a dad. Guess I'm gonna be a single mom. Can I handle this huge responsibility? Can I raise the kid on my own?' Aurelia thought to herself.

"What am I supposed to do?" Aurelia's voice shook, her eyes full of worry. She really didn't feel ready to be a mom right now.

Marcus just stood there, watching quietly. He could tell Aurelia was torn about whether to keep the baby.

After a long struggle, Aurelia finally made up her mind. Even though she and Nathaniel were done, the baby was innocent.

Plus, this wasn't just Nathaniel's kid, it was hers too. She could already feel the amazing sensation of the baby growing inside her. She knew she couldn't bear to give it up, so she decided to keep it. Having a child to share her life with sounded wonderful.

But Aurelia didn't want the Heilbronn family to know about the baby. She didn't want to get tangled up with Nathaniel because of it. Aurelia did want Nathaniel's love, but not this kind of forced affection.

"Marcus, can you do me a favor?" Aurelia asked.

"Sure," Marcus agreed without hesitation, his complete trust giving Aurelia a sense of reassurance.

"Marcus, can you not tell anyone about my pregnancy?"

"No problem." Marcus already understood Aurelia's choice. It seemed she was going to keep the baby. As for why she couldn't tell Nathaniel, Marcus had his own guesses.

Aurelia didn't hide the divorce from him either, as this matter would come out sooner or later. "Nathaniel and I divorced this morning. We signed the papers but haven't finished the formalities yet. After the company's new product launch, we'll announce it. Then, I'll need you to talk to Grandpa."

"Don't worry. After all, he is my father," Marcus replied with a smile. "Alright, now that I've told you, I can leave. Rest up, don't overthink, and call Dr. Geelt if you need anything. Don't worry about bothering him."

"Thanks, Marcus." Aurelia couldn't understand why Nathaniel and Marcus were so different. If Nathaniel had shown her even half the kindness Marcus did, Aurelia might have been more reluctant to leave, rather than signing the papers without hesitation.

But the outcome of this marriage was her own choice. Three years ago, on their wedding night, Nathaniel had Aurelia sign an agreement for a hidden marriage lasting three years. After three years, they would divorce, but during those three years, Aurelia could spend Nathaniel's money freely.

"I can only give you money, nothing else." Nathaniel kept his word. Aurelia could spend Nathaniel's money freely, but she never got any emotional comfort from him. Even when they had sex, Nathaniel always had a cold expression.

After Marcus left, Aurelia got a call from Ulysses. "Aurelia, want to grab a coffee?"

"No." Aurelia's voice gave away her state, and Ulysses immediately became concerned.

"What's up? Have you been crying? Your voice sounds so rough. Did Nathaniel mess with you again?" Ulysses asked.

Aurelia chuckled. "No, it was someone else."

Ulysses was taken aback for a second and then bluntly asked, "Aurelia, did you cheat? Did you finally see the light and find another guy?"

"Don't overthink it. It was Norman who hit me. I'm in the hospital now." Aurelia rolled her eyes.

"Stay put. I'm coming right now." Before Aurelia could say no, Ulysses had already hung up.

Twenty minutes later, Aurelia looked at Ulysses in the ward and burst into laughter. "You got here super fast."

"Of course, we're good friends. I worry when something happens to you." Knowing Aurelia's throat was sore, Ulysses spent the rest of the time chatting away, telling her all sorts of news to cheer her up.

Meanwhile, Betty was calling frantically. She first called Nathaniel four times, but he didn't pick up. She figured he was in a meeting, so she called his assistant, Zack Clark.

Zack answered quickly. "Hello, Ms. Young, what's up?"

"Something's happened to Mrs. Heilbronn," Betty said anxiously, making Zack's heart race.

"Take it easy. What happened to Mrs. Heilbronn?" Zack asked.

"Mrs. Heilbronn was beaten and taken to the hospital by an ambulance," Betty said.

"Mrs. Heilbronn was at home peacefully, how could she get beaten? Who would dare to hit her?" Zack, shocked, asked.

Betty quickly explained the situation and then asked anxiously, "Where is Mr. Heilbronn? I can't reach him."

"Ms. Young, don't worry. I'll handle it," Zack said.

Nathaniel was in an international meeting in a closed conference room, unable to receive outside signals, so he missed Betty's calls.

Aurelia being beaten was a big deal. Even though Nathaniel was in a meeting, Zack decided to interrupt. Nathaniel frowned slightly but knew Zack wouldn't interrupt without a good reason.

Zack whispered to Nathaniel about Aurelia's injury.

Nathaniel sneered inwardly, 'What is Aurelia up to? I knew she can't live without me. She pretended to be calm in the morning, but now her true colors are showing, right? Her hospitalization from the supposed beating must all be an act.'

Nathaniel ignored it, waved Zack away, and continued the meeting. Zack was anxious and wanted to say more, but Nathaniel was indifferent. "Ignore her; I'd like to see what other schemes she might come up with."

Feeling that with Nathaniel's attitude, he would lose Aurelia sooner or later, but Zack didn't dare to say it. Back in his office, Zack pulled up Aurelia's bank account and checked it, finding that no money had been spent.

Zack wondered, 'Hospitalization requires money, but Mrs. Heilbronn hasn't spent any. Does that mean she isn't hospitalized? But Ms. Young said she saw Mrs. Heilbronn taken away by an ambulance! Why doesn't Mr. Heilbronn believe Mrs. Heilbronn was beaten and bleeding?'