A Second Chance at Forever (Eleanor and Bernard) novel Chapter 878

Speaking of which, Blake shot Bernard a glance, his expression inscrutable.

"He got that bastard daughter pregnant and Donna, upon finding out, immediately flew overseas, hoping they'd abort the baby. Your dad was dead against it. Hell, he even wanted to use the kid to force Donna into a divorce. Donna was livid, called me up to sort the mess out.

"What was I to do, huh? On one hand, I had my son who had been begging for my help, and on the other, my carefully chosen daughter-in-law. I was stuck in the middle, felt like helping either was wrong. But let's be real, people always favor their own kin. I tried to reason with Donna, told her the kid was innocent. Donna agreed the kid was innocent. But she said this whole affair, either the mom dies and the kid stays, or the entire Laurence family knows and they all gang up on the Pine family girl.

"How could I let the Laurence family find out? I had no choice but to agree to kill the mom and keep the child. But your dad still wouldn't have it, begged me on his knees. I'd never seen him like that, not once. I hesitated, Donna saw my hesitation, and sent photos of their affair to every member of the Laurence family.

"Things spiraled out of control then, the Laurence family demanded I punish the Pine family girl. I had no choice, the pressure was too much, so despite your dad's feelings, I had the Pine family girl taken away. As we were dealing with her, she cried and begged me to wait until she had the baby, and then she'd kill herself. I was hesitating when Donna showed up; she agreed to let the girl have the baby.

"Your dad didn't know about the deal Donna made with the Pine family girl, thought we'd let her go, so he warmed up to Donna. Later, who knows what tricks Donna pulled, but she slept with your dad again, and before long, she announced she was pregnant.

"No one knew that Donna, upon announcing her pregnancy, started plotting. She acted all sweet and caring, brought chicken soup to the girl every day, and said nothing when she saw your dad, completely different from the angry, conflicting, and crazy woman she used to be.

"This made your dad feel more and more guilty, and the girl also felt bad for Donna. So, when Donna suggested that as soon as the baby was born, the girl should leave your dad, she agreed. Seeing her agreement, Donna promised the girl she wouldn't harm her and would even escort her away.

“The two women, behaving like sisters, left me utterly bewildered. Then, the girl gave birth, and Donna bribed the doctor to deceive your father, claiming the baby was stillborn. He was devastated for a period of time. In return, Donna promised the girl that as long as she kept the baby a secret from your dad, the child would be reunited with her once she left...

“After giving birth, the Pine family girl's focus shifted away from your dad. Driven by a strong moral compass, she made the difficult decision to step out of your dad and Donna's marriage. Once she regained her strength, she fulfilled her promise, saying hurtful things and engaging in actions that led your dad to completely give up. He believed that she no longer wanted him, feeling betrayed, and he let her go as well.

“However, Donna failed to keep her promise. On the way to visit the baby, she tragically strangled the girl with a rope. Your dad, feeling abandoned and consumed by pain, turned to alcohol to numb his sorrows. When you were around five years old, your father discovered the truth, and it shattered his marriage with Donna.

"Donna still didn't want to divorce your dad, so she came to me, hoping I could persuade your dad. I found him, said some harsh words, your dad got mad, and we had a big fight. That night, your dad got drunk, set a fire while your brother was still in the room...

"To save them, Donna rushed in without thinking. Her face and body were burned, and her legs crushed by burning beams. She did her best and managed to save your brother but was unable to save your dad. Your dad died in the fire..."

Thinking of the raging fire, Blake felt suffocated, his eyes filled with sorrow.

All these tragedies started because of him. He owed his son, owed the Pine family girl, and owed Donna.

Sometimes, he felt great regret. He should have found a way to hide the Pine family girl's identity and let them be together.

It wouldn't have caused his son to lose his life, but now it's all too late.