Laurel walked into Genevieve's hospital room.
"Mrs. Shawn..." As soon as Genevieve saw Laurel, she pushed herself up with her hands, her gaze instinctively searching behind Laurel. But there was no one else, only a maid carrying a thermal flask.
Elias hadn't come.
It had been three whole days since he'd said he would compensate her, and he hadn't shown up once. Only Hawk came by daily to drop off some nutritional supplements.
Whenever she called Elias, the conversations were always rushed and ended in just a few sentences.
At the thought, Genevieve's hands tightened into fists.
"Don't get up, just lie down. You need to rest and move as little as possible right now." Laurel hurried over, her heart aching at the sight of Genevieve's pale face.
"I'm fine, Mrs. Shawn," Genevieve said, composing herself and offering a gentle smile.
"Fine? Look how cold your hands are." Laurel took her hand, then turned to the maid. "Go close the window a bit. It's damp and chilly this early in the morning."
The maid set down the flask and went to close the window.
Laurel set up the small bedside table and opened the flask, smiling. "This is a homemade soup the chef whipped up for you. I had him let it cool a bit, so it should be just right to drink."
Genevieve lowered her eyes. "Mrs. Shawn... I'm sorry."
Laurel’s movement paused almost imperceptibly. "My dear child, why on earth are you apologizing to me?"
"I lied to you. This baby—" Genevieve's eyes grew moist as she confessed, "—it wasn't actually Elias's. I... I just saw how happy you were, and I didn't want to ruin your birthday, so I didn't tell the truth. I thought I would tell you the next day."
To say Laurel wasn't angry would be a lie. But then she thought about what Genevieve had been through these past two years, married to the wrong man. Laurel set down the lid of the flask, sat down, and took Genevieve's hand.
"You can't take all the blame. I was the one who was too excited and didn't ask clearly enough. If anyone should be sorry, it's me. I'm sorry that something like this happened to you at my birthday party."
Genevieve placed a hand on her abdomen as tears fell silently.
Laurel quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe them away. "Gen, be honest with me. What really happened that night? Did Victoria push you?"
"I..." Genevieve paused, then shook her head and denied it in a low voice. "I was careless. It had nothing to do with Victoria."
Laurel didn't miss the fleeting hesitation and pain in Genevieve's eyes and immediately came to a conclusion. "Gen, did Victoria say something to you? Don't be afraid, just tell me! If she did this, I swear the Shawn family will not let her get away with it!"
"Mrs. Shawn, I..."
Genevieve looked at Laurel's determined gaze and opened her mouth, but the words died on her lips. Hiding the pain in her eyes, she said softly, "Mrs. Shawn, I'm a little tired."
Laurel wanted to ask more, but seeing her state, she couldn't bring herself to press further.
But whether she asked or not, she had already decided in her heart that Victoria was inextricably involved.

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