CHAPTER 165: CHAPTER 165- WILL BE SAFE!

"There won’t be any problems. The baby will be born safely—you don’t need to worry. Just focus on recovering and preparing for the surgery, alright?"

Charles kissed her hair gently, his arms tightening around her as he spoke in a soft, soothing tone. He didn’t even know if his words were meant to comfort her... or himself. In truth, he was far more afraid than she was, but he couldn’t show it.

If one could peel back the layers of his composed façade, they would see a heart trembling, already bloodied with fear and anguish. The doctor’s words echoed endlessly in his mind—the baby is malpositioned, undernourished, dehydrated. A premature birth will be risky.

But Janet didn’t have time. And between her and the child, he had made his choice.

He knew it was selfish. He wasn’t proud of it. But if only one of them could be saved—he would always choose her.

Still, he would never say these words aloud. He couldn’t let her hear the torment in his heart. Right now, in this moment, he was thankful she couldn’t see—if Janet saw the pain on his face, she would hurt even more.

"Charles," Janet murmured, burying her face against his chest, clutching his neck as if her life depended on it. Her voice was muffled, trembling. "Promise me one thing... just one."

Charles held her tighter, brushing his fingers through her hair. His voice was hoarse when he answered, "As long as you come out of this safe and sound—I’ll promise you anything."

"If it comes down to it..." Her face lifted, her pale features drawn with fragile determination. Though her eyes were empty, they seemed to plead with him, desperate and aching. "If only one of us can make it... then save Trista. Please."

Charles froze.

She knew.

She had known all along.

Even without hearing the diagnosis, she could feel it in her bones—that their child wasn’t ready, that her own body might not survive the strain.

"No," he said, almost a growl. "Janet, how can you be so cruel? What about me? How am I supposed to go on without you? Are you really willing to leave me behind?"

He cupped her cheek, his fingertips cold against her skin. "We can have another child, Janet... but there’s only one you. Where would I find you again if I lost you?"

Her body trembled beneath his touch, and she grabbed his hand with trembling fingers. When had Charles become like this? So humble, so fragile... The proud, cold man she’d once known was long gone. From the moment she fell ill, he had laid down his pride, lowered himself time and again—all just to beg her to live.

"But there’s only one Trista too," she whispered. "All the pain I’ve endured... it was all so she could survive. Charles, you know that, don’t you? We can’t be selfish. You promised me you’d save her. Please... don’t go back on your word."

Her voice cracked as she clung to him. She knew he was the one hurting the most in all of this. If she could turn back time... maybe she would never have met him. Then he would still be that cold-hearted devil who never knew love. And he wouldn’t be this broken man, tormented by the fear of losing everything.

Even without sight, she could feel it—how much thinner he’d become, how he now reeked faintly of cigarettes when he used to hate the smell. She could feel the old scars she had left on his skin... scars that made her heart ache every time she touched them.

"Janet, just give me a little hope." Charles’s voice cracked, raw with emotion. "Corrine has agreed. As soon as the baby is out, we’ll do the brain surgery. You will survive. I... I can live without Trista, but not without you."

He clutched her like a drowning man, eyes red with unshed tears. He didn’t want to choose. He wasn’t heartless. He wasn’t a man who didn’t love his daughter. But if fate forced his hand—he would always choose Janet.

Janet felt something cold trickle down her forehead, soaking into her hair—his tears.

And her heart twisted so painfully that she couldn’t breathe.

She held him back tightly.

She loved him. She really did.

But she could never bring herself to abandon the tiny life growing inside her. That heartbeat, that warmth... was the precious creation of the two of them. How could she ever let it go?

"Don’t worry—Janet and the baby will be safe!"

The door burst open just then, and two sharply dressed men in black suits stepped inside. Shaun’s calm, resolute voice rang out like a beacon of hope, steady and reassuring. Beside him, Ouyang Chengyu followed silently, his presence adding quiet strength to the room.

"Yes, Janet, everything’s going to be okay. We’re all here with you. So you have to be brave, alright?"

Angela stepped forward, gently pulling Samantha along. They each took one of Janet’s trembling hands, warmth and strength instantly surrounding her like a blanket. Her eyes filled with tears, and before she could stop them, hot droplets streamed down her cheeks.

Standing quietly to the side, Brian met Charles’s eyes and gave him a firm, trusting nod. Charles returned it with quiet gratitude, then stood up and followed the others out of the room.

Just as they stepped into the hallway, a tall figure strode swiftly toward them from the far end. The three men exchanged knowing smiles.

It was Steven.

"Janet," Samantha said softly as she approached, opening a delicate box and pulling out a red silk charm thread. "Angela and I went all the way to get this for you. It’s a charm for protection—it’ll keep you and your baby safe. So stay strong, okay?"

She gently looped the thread around Janet’s neck, then used her slender fingers to wipe away the tears from her face. Her eyes were soft, filled with the kind of affection that needed no explanation.

Samantha had never been one to believe in fate or superstition. But for Janet’s sake—just this once—she chose to believe.

"Yup! I heard this charm is really powerful," Angela chimed in with a cheerful grin, trying to ease the heavy mood that had settled over them earlier. "We walked for hours to get it. So now you can stop worrying, alright?"

But behind her smile, Angela’s heart wasn’t at ease. She knew—far better than most—just how terrifying it was to give birth under dangerous conditions. She’d gone through it herself when she gave birth to Callum. She understood that every single minute during moments like this... was pure agony for someone like Shaun.

"Right! And with Dr. Corrine personally performing the operation, you have every reason to stay hopeful," Samantha added softly, tracing a gentle finger across Janet’s already misty eyes. "You’ll see your baby very soon."

"Thank you... Samantha, Angela..." Janet choked back her tears, her voice thick with emotion. "Please... please help take care of Trista for me."

Though she and Elvira were blood sisters, Janet had never felt true sibling warmth from her. Instead, it was from Samantha and Angela—two women not bound by blood—that she had come to understand the depth of sisterly love.

Even if Charles might not be able to care for Trista in the coming days... she knew they would love her daughter as if she were their own.

"Don’t worry," Angela said, her tone firm with conviction. "I promise I’ll love her even more than I love Candy."

That vow, so pure and heartfelt, sent another wave of emotion crashing through Janet.

"Alright now," Samantha cooed gently, brushing her hand over Janet’s delicate cheek, "the surgery’s tomorrow. And pregnant women aren’t supposed to cry, remember? No more tears, okay?"