Divorced and Pregnant My New Life with a Billionaire Drives My Ex Crazy novel Chapter 516

Annette just sat there, completely unresponsive, as if nothing Wiona said could reach her. It was like she’d shut down, locked away in her own world. Wiona felt a wave of fear. Years ago, Annette had been crushed by the weight of everything, and that was what made her run from Hawthorne Hall, leaving her children behind. Now, after finally finding the courage to come back and try to fix things, this happened to her son. Wiona was terrified that Annette would break down all over again.

How was she supposed to explain any of this to Conrad when he returned? Would everything she’d done these past days be for nothing? The thought made her chest tighten.

She reached out and gently took Annette’s hand, placing it over her own pregnant belly. “Mom, you still have two grandchildren to think about... And Alice waited so long for you to come home. If you fall apart now, what will she do? What about me? I can’t do anything right now. You’re the only one who can hold this family together.”

Right then, she felt the babies move. It was like they knew something important was happening. They rolled softly inside her, their tiny kicks pressing against Annette’s hand, almost as if they wanted to comfort her.

For the first time, Annette’s blank eyes shifted. She turned her head slowly and there was a faint spark in her gaze. She stared at Wiona’s stomach and seemed to finally take in her words. Suddenly, tears started streaming down her face, falling one after another. A strangled sob escaped her and she turned away, burying her face in the pillow as her grief poured out in loud, aching cries.

Wiona could only sit quietly by her side, letting her get it all out. When Annette finally ran out of tears, she sat up, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Her face was puffy and red, but there was a new determination there.

“I won’t run away this time like I did twenty years ago. I was so wrong back then. I didn’t protect my children, I didn’t protect our home, I didn’t take care of the things Conrad’s father left behind. But now, I won’t let Conrad down again. Wiona, I’m sorry you’ve had to hold everything together for us. My sweet girl, you have to try to stay strong too. I know you’re still in shock, but we have to face what’s happened. Even if the babies don’t have a father anymore, they still have their grandma, their aunt, and a mom who loves them more than anything. We’ll get through this...”

She said all the right things, but anyone could hear the uncertainty in her voice. She was lost. She could hold the Sullivan family together, but she knew she couldn’t handle the Sullivan Group. That was a whole empire, and there were so many people circling, just waiting for a chance to grab a piece. Now that the giant had fallen, all those hungry eyes would rush in to tear it apart. She knew she wasn’t enough to stop any of it.

Annette felt like she was on the verge of falling apart again, but she forced herself to keep it together. Wiona realized she’d been acting too calm, too collected. With her husband ‘gone,’ she should have been more upset. Thankfully, Annette hadn’t noticed. If she had, Conrad’s entire plan could have been ruined.

Wiona stood up, pretending she was weak and unsteady. “I... I’m going downstairs for a bit...” She leaned on Shelly and left the room, looking exhausted.

Alone, Annette covered her face with her hands as heartbreak washed over her. First Donna, then Libby, and now Conrad. Why did everyone keep leaving? Conrad was her son. It felt like someone had ripped her heart out. She had carried him for ten months, he was her flesh and blood.

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