bChapter /bb593 /b

    Ariel walked past Jayson and headed upstairs.

    Jayson nced over his shoulder at her, then stepped into the nursery. Taking the toy from Georgia’s hands, he said, “I’ll handle it. You should go take care of your other duties.”

    Georgia, a little bewildered, nodded and quietly left the room.

    Jayson stood next to the cradle and fitted the toy back in its rightful spot. He traced his finger along the edge of the cradle before leaving.

    After dinner, Ariel expected Betty to return to Larkin Manor as usual. Instead, Betty ordered someone to prepare a guest room.

    Then, she instructed Georgia, “Go and make some herbal soup for Ari.”

    Then, with a sharp frown, Betty turned her attention to Ariel. “Look at you! You’ve lost so much weight from overworking. Didn’t you already get all the ingredients for the soup from Dr. Zehnder? You stopped drinking it because you were too busy, didn’t you? You can’t keep neglecting your health.”

    Ariel felt a chill run down her spine at the mention of the herbal soup.

    During the second year of her marriage, she and Jayson had begun experiencing issues. Still, Jayson frequently met with Brian Zehnder, a doctor specializing in alternative medicine, to help improve her constitution.

    Betty had been delighted by his efforts and often sent expensive herbs to Ariel. Over time, Ariel’s health- worn down from caring for the sick Elena and further damaged after sustaining a stab wound while protecting Lucas–gradually improved.

    Even so, she had always struggled to refuse the well–meaning gestures of concerned elders.

    “Thank you, Grandma,” Ariel replied politely.

    But her mind was already spinning, searching for a way to leave. With Betty staying the night, she needed a convincing excuse to get away.

    Jayson was on a work call in the study, and Ariel nned to consult with himter. For now, she stayed on the terrace, messaging her tech department in the group chat about critical project details.

    Downstairs, the Larkin Manor maids were still bustling about in the kitchen.

    After a while, a maid brought her a bowl of steaming herbal soup.

    Ariel nced at it. She set it aside to cool, then frowned and downed it in one gulp.

    The bitterness and pungent spice of the herbs assaulted her senses, and she nearly gagged.

    +15 bBONUS /b

    Phone in hand, she rushed downstairs, remembering the dried fruit in the fridge–her only hope of

    washing away the taste.

    She headed for the kitchen.

    Inside, the maids had finished cooking and were now cleaning, chatting softly as they worked. None of

    them noticed Ariel standing just outside the doorway.

    One maid, Reba Hughes, stood close to Georgia, her voice low but tense. “Did you know Mr. Larkin and his wife don’t actually have a good rtionship?”

    Georgia frowned. “Don’t say things like that so carelessly. I’ve worked here for years, and I’ve never once

    seen Mr. and Mrs. Larkin fight.”

    Reba shook her head. “I thought the same at first. But I’ve been keeping a secret for a long time-

    something I found out by chance. Remember when Mr. Larkin used to bring herbs from Dr. Zehnder and tell you to make soup for Mrs. Larkin?”

    Georgia nodded.

    Reba sighed. “The herbal soup was indeed extremely good for the body since they were made with

    rare and precious ingredients. But…”

    Ariel found herself holding her breath, staring at Reba.

    Unaware of her presence, Reba lowered her voice even further.

    “Do you know why Mrs. Larkin hasn’t had a child all these years? One time, when I went to pick up the

    ingredients, I overheard the supplier mention something. They said there was an additional herb- harmless to the body, but it could prevent pregnancy.”

    Ariel froze. Her expression shifted from disbelief to pure shock and horror.