Felicia Pruitt wasn't really liked by her family.

Everyone in the family focused on her younger sister, Mabel Pruitt.

Felicia was going to have her second baby today, but the whole family was at Mabel's cello concert.

Felicia called her son, Ambrose Lucero.

She saw Ambrose's little face on the screen, but he pouted and complained, "Mom, why are you calling me now? Auntie Mabel's concert is about to start, and Dad said we couldn't take calls during it!"

"Ambi, is that your mom again?" Felicia's mother-in-law, Yvonne Wade, popped into the screen, looking annoyed. "Felicia, it's not that we didn't want you to come to the concert, but your due date is next week. We're doing this for your own good."

Felicia's mom, Edwina Lambert, chimed in softly, "Licia, don't be stubborn. Just stay home and rest. Don't always try to compete with Mabel for attention. We'll head back to Caleford after the concert tonight."

Felicia felt a pang in her heart.

Competing for attention? When had she ever done that?

"Mom, I got bumped by someone outside the hospital just now, and I'm about to have the baby," Felicia said, her voice shaking a bit from the pain.

But no one on the other end let her finish.

The call got cut off with a click.

Felicia's heart ached.

She wasn't surprised by her mom's attitude. After all, she was adopted by the Pruitt family. How could she compare to their precious darling?

She used to be the favorite in the family, but that changed three years ago when she found out she was adopted. If Mabel hadn't gotten lost as a kid, she wouldn't have been adopted from the orphanage.

Over these three years, people kept telling her that she had taken everything that belonged to Mabel. Luckily, Mabel was adopted by some kind people; otherwise, she might have suffered a lot more.

Since then, the whole family, including Felicia's husband, had taken Mabel's side.

Even her beloved son, who she held dearer than anything, wouldn't let her finish what she was saying.

Was the concert really more important than her?

The doctor in the delivery room, mask on and eyes cold, looked at Felicia. "Ms. Pruitt, when is your family getting here? If you want to switch from a natural birth to a C-section, both you and your family need to sign off on it."

Felicia's face was pale. She had no choice but to call her husband Seymour Lucero.

"Hey, Sey, I'm about to have the baby. You and Ambi need to get back right away."

She talked for a bit, but it seemed like nobody on the other end was listening.

Seymour frowned and said flatly, "Felicia? Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Dad, is that Mom?" Ambrose's childish voice came through. But the next thing he said made Felicia's heart drop.

"Mom is so annoying. We just talked on the phone a minute ago!

"She and Auntie Mabel are both Grandma's daughters. Why is Auntie Mabel so nice, but she's so annoying?

"It would be so much better if Auntie Mabel were my mom."

Felicia's face, already pale, drained of what little color it had left when she heard Ambrose's words.

Her heart ached terribly, as if something vital had been ripped out of her, and she trembled all over.

Ambrose was probably talking without thinking, but what about Seymour?

He always made a big deal about teaching Ambrose good manners. Why wasn't he stepping in now?

"Felicia?" Seymour's voice came again, but this time he sounded a bit annoyed. "If you're not gonna say anything, I'm hanging up."

Felicia listened as Seymour hung up on her, a wave of sadness washed over her.

She was about to have a baby and called him for help, but he didn't seem to care that something might be wrong.

He just hung up on her!

But back when Mabel texted him at midnight saying her stomach hurt, he threw on his clothes, left Felicia behind, and rushed her to the hospital.

Felicia used to think that Seymour was always cold and distant to everyone. With his frosty demeanor, she often felt too intimidated to talk to him much.

She figured she could slowly change him with her kindness. But after Mabel came back, she learned the hard way that some things just didn't work out, no matter how hard she tried.

Even so, when Seymour said he wanted a daughter, Felicia was willing to go through the pain of another pregnancy to have this girl.

But what about now?

She was having a baby in the hospital, and Seymour was at Mabel's concert.

So, only the ones who were favored could act without a care.

Felicia needed to wake up to reality.

Felicia bit her pale lips, trying to hold back the sharp pain in her stomach, and asked in a weak voice, "Can I sign for myself? It's my baby. Can't I decide if I want a natural birth or a C-section?"

"No! The rules say both you and a family member need to sign. Ms. Pruitt, this is causing us a lot of trouble."

The doctor thought, "If something goes wrong, who's gonna be responsible?

"Her family is really something else. Her husband's family and her own parents have all gone to her sister's concert.

"At a time like this, how can a concert be more important than childbirth?"

"Why don't you call your husband again?" the doctor asked.

But Felicia just stared blankly at the ceiling. The pain had numbed her. At this point, what difference did it make whether she called or not?

If she called and they still didn't come back, wouldn't that make her feel even more embarrassed?

She didn't want to put herself through that.

Felicia's face was blank. "Let me sign. If you're worried, I'll write that I take full responsibility for whatever happens. Is that good enough?"

"Er..." The doctor hesitated for a moment. With the water broken, they couldn't wait any longer.

He made up his mind. "Okay, go ahead and sign. And put in that part about taking responsibility."

Doctors couldn't take on every risk, especially after being let down too many times.

Felicia, biting back the pain, propped herself up a bit and signed her name.

"Thanks. Can we get the anesthesia now?"

The doctor gave her a curious glance. She was in so much pain, but she seemed to know the drill. Was it because this was her second time?

"Yeah, we'll do it. Try not to cry. Just relax. The baby will be here soon."

An hour later, the baby was born.

Felicia opened her eyes, feeling weak. "Can I see my baby?"

"Here you go, a baby girl about 3 kg. She's healthy."

Felicia looked at the rosy, chubby baby in the nurse's arm, who had her big, bright eyes.

"So cute. Baby, how about we call you Mina?"

The nurse, who had glanced at her phone's contact list and saw her husband's last name was Lucero, said, "Mina Lucero? What a pretty name."

"No."

Since they didn't care, Felicia decided to let them go.

She shook her head gently. "My daughter will have my last name!"

It had been six years, and it was time for her to wake up to reality.

She sent a text message to Seymour: "When you have time, let's get the paperwork done. The son goes to you, and the daughter stays with me. From now on, we're even!"

"Ms. Pruitt, I've got the birth certificate all set up for you. Minerva Pruitt, nicknamed Mina. Oh my, what a cute name for our little girl!"

Felicia had just asked the nurse to bring in a nanny, Emma Olsen.

Though puzzled about why the baby took Felicia's surname, Emma didn't say anything.

After all, Felicia was her boss. She had been there for a long while and still hadn't seen Felicia's husband. What a deadbeat!

Felicia smiled faintly, "Yeah. Mina, you must always be happy and warm.

"Don't end up like me.

"Learn to love yourself before you love others."

After six hours, Felicia asked Emma for a pillow and lay on her side, turning over every half hour.

Emma couldn't help but ask, "Ms. Pruitt, did you have a C-section with your first baby too?"

"No." Felicia shook her head. "I had a natural birth."

Emma muttered, "You must have looked it up online, right? You don't need to do that since you've got me. I've been doing this for over ten years. There's not much I don't know."

Felicia smiled and didn't say anything.

She glanced at her phone. As she had expected, Seymour hadn't replied. Maybe he hadn't seen her message, or maybe he just didn't care.

She saw Edwina had posted something new on Instagram, with Mabel in the profile picture. She couldn't resist tapping on it, and there was a group photo.

The caption read: "Another family photo! Congrats to my darling daughter on a successful concert! You'll always be my pride!"

The words "family photo" hurt Felicia's heart.

She wasn't blood-related, so she wasn't included in the family photo?

Mabel stood in the middle, surrounded by everyone, with gorgeous flowers all over the ground. Her face was glowing with a beautiful smile.

Before long, Yvonne shared a short video.

Felicia held her breath and clicked on it with a trembling hand.

The first thing she saw was her beloved son kissing Mabel's cheek.

"Auntie Mabel, I love you the most!"

On the screen, Mabel smiled sweetly. "What about your mom? Between your mom and me, who do you love more?"

"You, of course! But you can't tell Mom, okay? If she finds out, she'll get sad and cry."

Seymour kept his eyes down, not saying a word, with a loving smile in his eyes.

But Felicia already saw it.

She didn't understand. Hadn't she been good enough to Ambrose?

She quit her job and stayed home when she was pregnant with him.

It was rough, with severe morning sickness early on, and all sorts of health issues later.

She even had a bad bleed during childbirth, but thank goodness, both she and Ambrose made it through.

Ambrose was a sickly baby, super allergic to everything, and Felicia took care of him all by herself because she didn't trust the nanny.

But now Ambrose said he loved Mabel the most!

How ridiculous! Felicia used to think that putting her heart and soul into the family would be enough, but now it seemed so silly!

"Ms. Pruitt, put the phone down. You just had a baby. Too much screen time is gonna hurt your eyes."

Felicia turned off the screen and forced a bitter smile. "Okay."

She decided to give up on those cold-hearted people.

In a month, she'd be done with them and their drama.

When the concert was over, Seymour thought about the call he got from Felicia.

He wanted to call her back, but the reception at the venue was terrible.

"Dad, put the phone away! Let's go celebrate with Auntie Mabel!" Ambrose urged, pouting.

Seymour didn't move and called Felicia back instead. But the call was cut off after one ring.

That had never happened before.

In the past, Seymour always hung up on Felicia when he was busy. Why did Felicia hang up on him now?

Was she busy?

Mabel walked up and affectionately linked her arm with Seymour's. "Sey, Roger booked a table at a nearby hotel. Can I catch a ride with you?"

Seymour's face softened right away. "Sure thing."

But he paused, still holding his phone. "Hold on a sec. I need to make a quick call. Felicia called me when the concert started, but the signal was bad and I couldn't hear her. She didn't pick up when I called back just now."

Mabel froze. "Felicia? She's home all by herself with her big belly. You should call her back right away."

Seymour stepped aside and called the nanny at home.

Hearing what the nanny said, he frowned even harder. "What? Felicia hasn't come home yet?"

He started to feel a bit worried.

It was already nine o'clock. Felicia usually took great care to protect herself and the baby. There was no way she wouldn't be home by nine.

Seeing Seymour's face cloud with concern, Mabel bit her lip and cautiously asked, "Sey, is Felicia upset with me? Is she mad that you all came to my concert instead of staying home with her?"

"Mom wouldn't be that petty," Ambrose interjected softly, having overheard.

Mabel's heart skipped a beat, and she sighed, "Alas, even though Felicia didn't say it, she has always been sensitive. She feels like I've taken the attention that was supposed to be hers.

"It's my fault. I wish I had never come back to this family!"

Yvonne frowned disapprovingly. "What are you talking about? Mabel, you were supposed to be Sey's wife. Felicia took your place!"

"Enough, Mom. Let's all keep it down," Seymour, already annoyed, interrupted with a furrowed brow.

"You guys head to the hotel. I'll go back and check on Felicia."

"Dad, does that mean I have to go back too?"

Seymour thought for a moment. Felicia doted on their son, and bringing him along might help her cool down faster.

He had noticed her temper flaring up more and more as her pregnancy progressed.

"Ambi, get in the car and come back with me."

Mabel couldn't fake a smile anymore. Her fingers dug into her palm as she softly said, "Maybe we should all go back."

As night came, Felicia could barely keep her eyes open.

Emma had put Minerva to sleep. Minerva was well-behaved. She never cried or fussed, and always had a smile on her face.

But the next moment, when a bunch of people rushed into the room, Felicia's face turned cold right away.

Just now, Seymour got a call from the hospital director and found out that Felicia had given birth. The whole family skipped dinner and rushed to the hospital.

Mabel dashed over to Felicia first, tears streaming down her face. "Felicia, I'm so sorry we didn't know you had the baby. It must be painful. Look how worn out you are."

As she spoke, she pressed her hand on Felicia's stomach, causing Felicia to let out a muffled groan.

Out of reflex, Felicia slapped her hand away with a crack.

The hospital was quiet, and it was evening, so the sound stood out.

Yvonne was the first to step in. "Felicia, what are you doing? Mabel was so worried when she heard you had the baby that she cried all the way here. Yeah, we were late, but it's not like this is your first child. Why are you acting so wronged just because you had a second baby?"

Edwina, who had felt a bit guilty for missing the birth, also turned cold at Felicia's attitude.

"Licia, we didn't mean it. It was Mabel's concert today. If you had given birth at any other time, we wouldn't have been late!"

Felicia sneered and retorted, "So you're saying it's my fault for having the baby tonight?"

Everyone was stunned by her words.

Felicia, who was usually gentle, seemed sharp today.

Mabel's tears started to flow. She covered her face and leaned on Edwina. "Mom, maybe Felicia didn't mean it. She just had the baby and might be feeling bad. Don't blame her."

Ambrose trotted over to Mabel. "Auntie Mabel, I'll blow on your hand. It won't hurt anymore!"

Then he turned and glared at Felicia. "Mom, you're wrong. Auntie Mabel's hand is all red from your slap!"

Felicia wanted to cry, but she had cried all her tears out.

"Ambi, do you know I hurt too?"

Ambrose froze. "Mom..."

Seeing Felicia's sad face, he hesitated and looked towards his dad.

Seymour had been quiet since he walked into the room, but he finally spoke up slowly, "Where's the baby?"

"Oh, right, where's the baby?"

Minerva, who had just fallen asleep, suddenly started crying. It was then that everyone noticed Emma and the small crib with the baby beside them.

Ambrose was drawn to the crying. He shook off Mabel's hand and ran over. "Wow, it's my sister! Baby girl, I'm your brother!"

Edwina also went over. "What a pretty girl!

"Licia, have you decided on a name for her?"

Felicia's cold eyes flickered slightly. "Minerva."

Seymour frowned. Why hadn't she discussed the name with him?

"Minerva Lucero? It sounds nice. Mina, I'm your grandma," Edwina cooed.

"No, it's not Minerva Lucero. She has my last name. Her name is Minerva Pruitt!"

Everyone stared at Felicia in the bed in shock, like they had seen a ghost.

Had Felicia gone crazy?

Felicia's words instantly changed everyone's expressions.

Yvonne snapped, "The surname Pruitt? Why should our Wade family's daughter take your surname?"

Edwina, sensing the tension, handed the baby to Emma. "Licia, don't be stubborn. Even if it's a daughter, she should still carry the Wade surname."

Felicia thought, "Even if it's a daughter?

"Weren't you the ones begging for a granddaughter? Now you're disappointed?"

Ambrose tilted his head. "Mom, why isn't the baby surnamed Lucero? Minerva sounds better than Pruitt!"

He then grinned at his pink-cheeked sister. "Grandma, she's pretty! Like Auntie Mabel!"

"Like Auntie Mabel? Must everything "good" resemble her?" Felicia wondered.

Mabel smiled sweetly, reaching for the baby. "Really? Let me hold her!"

The moment she touched the infant, the baby wailed.

Felicia's last thread of patience snapped.

"Out."

She pointed to the door, her voice trembling. "All of you, out. Now."

"Felicia, I'm sorry. I just wanted to hold her..."

Mabel pouted, eyes glistening.

Seymour frowned. "Enough, Felicia. Stop taking your anger out on Mabel."

Felicia clenched her fists, her heart stinging.

"This's the man I loved for years?" she thought.

Her gaze shifted to her son, whose face briefly flashed disdain.

"And this is the child I loved more than myself?" She thought to herself.

Felicia tilted her chin up, refusing to let tears fall. "Let's talk outside."

Emma hesitated. "Mrs. Lucero, you're not supposed to leave bed within 24 hours."

Her words made Seymour pause.

Felicia had just given birth. Maybe that explained her outburst.

He noticed her pale face, stubbornly lifted, eyes glistening.

"Mom, everyone out."

"But..."

"Now. Let me talk to her."

Mabel tugged her mother's sleeve. "If Felicia doesn't want us here, let's go."

"Okay!"

The room emptied, leaving only Felicia, Seymour, and the baby.

Miraculously, the infant stopped crying and fell asleep.

Emma excused herself to fetch hot water, giving them privacy.

Once the door closed, Felicia spoke calmly.

"Did you read my text, Seymour?"

Seymour frowned. "What text?"

She didn't care if he was lying.

"Then I'll say it again. Seymour, I want a divorce."

"You keep Ambi. I take our daughter. Split your assets evenly. Child support cancels out. We'll finalize it after my recovery."

Divorce?

His voice turned icy. "Felicia, anger isn't an excuse for threats."

Felicia forced a bitter smile, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm serious, Seymour. I'm done with you and your family."

He laughed bitterly, anger flashing in his eyes. "Done? What 'suffering' could my family possibly have caused you?"

He suppressed his anger. "You just gave birth today. I'll assume those harsh words came from exhaustion.

"It's late. Rest now. I'll visit the baby tomorrow.

"As for the caregiver, I'll bring a trustworthy one in the morning."

Seymour left the room without letting her respond.

Emma's heart ached to see Felicia's distress.

"Mrs. Lucero, those people are awful!"

Felicia managed a weak smile. "They are."

"Don't get upset during your recovery! It'll harm your health!"

Emma, old enough to be her mother, thought, "If my daughter were mistreated like this, I would cry my eyes out."

She vowed firmly, "Mrs. Lucero, I'll care for the baby while you recover. Deal with everything else after your postpartum rest."

"Thank you," Felicia whispered.

It was strange how a day-old stranger could show such kindness, while those she'd known forever wielded only cold blades.

Maybe those who weren't loved deserved suffering.

On the drive home, Seymour's silence thickened the air.

Even Yvonne was scared.

"Sey... The due date is next week! How could we know she'd deliver early?

"Besides, it's her second child. The doctor exaggerated the risks!"

Earlier, Connor, Felicia's obstetrician, had berated them in the elevator, shaming them for their neglect.

In the backseat, Ambrose frowned. "Dad, does having a baby hurt a lot? Did Mom hurt this much when I was born?"

Yvonne chuckled dismissively. "Ambi, why ask your dad? He's never given birth. How would he know?"

She ruffled his hair. "Ask Grandma! It didn't hurt at all when I had him. Your mom's just being dramatic."

Under her breath, she added, "Adopted girls are so fussy."

Though quiet, Seymour heard it.

"Mom, don't tell him that." He pursed his lips.

Yvonne huffed. "Fine."

Ambrose frowned. Yvonne's words clashed with the doctor's earlier lecture.

But since Yvonne spoiled him, letting him watch cartoons when his mother said no, he chose to believe her.

"Grandma, can I watch "PAW Patrol" for 30 more minutes?"

"No. It's late. We'll visit Mom tomorrow," Seymour said firmly.

The boy pouted at Yvonne, who shrugged. She wouldn't defy her son.

"Watch tomorrow, okay? Skip the hospital."

Seymour disliked her leniency but allowed it. It was better than risking Felicia mentioning divorce in front of Ambi.

Seymour stayed silent, tacitly agreeing.

But Ambi began to hesitate.

"Mom seemed so sad today. Shouldn't I visit her?" he wondered.

Yet the thought of watching "PAW Patrol" without his mother's limits made him grin. "Okay! I won't go to the hospital tomorrow!"

In the Pruitt family car, Mabel's older brother, Roger Pruitt, fumed.

"Mom, did you see how Felicia treated Mabel? Does she forget she's just an adopted daughter?"

He'd planned a post-concert celebration for Mabel, but Felicia's labor ruined it.

Edwina sighed. "Licia had a baby alone. She's stressed. Let's be kind."

She patted Mabel's hand. "Don't take it personally. Your sister's just protective of her child."

Mabel fluttered her lashes. "I'm not upset. I just worry she misunderstands me."

Roger sneered. "Misunderstand? She's framing you! Childbirth isn't special. Anyone can do it!"

Mabel hid a smirk.

"Roger, don't say that. She'll think you favor me."

"We should favor you!" he snapped. "You're the real Pruitt heiress. If you'd returned sooner, you'd be Seymour's wife!"

"Enough!" Esteban Pruitt, Mabel's father, had rushed from the airport to the hospital, only to witness the drama.

"Roger, as the eldest, watch your words!"

Edwina shot her son a warning look. "Esteban, he's just protective of Mabel. It won't happen again."

Esteban was known in the Pruitt family for his strict authority. He treated his son harshly but showed gentler affection toward his two daughters.

When Mabel went missing years ago, and his wife couldn't conceive again, he'd suggested adopting a daughter from an orphanage.

Mabel clenched her fists. After three years back in the Pruitt family, Edwina, Roger, Seymour, and even Ambi doted on her unconditionally, except Esteban, who treated her and Felicia equally.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I'll apologize to her tomorrow. Don't be upset."

She knew his weakness. As expected, he sighed. "Mabel, I'm not blaming you. But today, Felicia suffered the most. You're both my daughters. I won't favor either."

She feigned tears. "Dad, I'm just grateful to be home."

At hospital.

After the family drama, Felicia lay awake.

To distract herself, she began massaging her abdomen to expel postpartum lochia.

The returning nanny gasped. "Mrs. Lucero, are you ... doing that yourself?"

Felicia held her breath, her hands moving with practiced precision.

Emma stared in awe.

With over a decade of experience, she knew proper lochia drainage required skill and pain tolerance.

Yet Felicia showed no discomfort. Emma felt puzzled.

"Did you train for this? Does it ... not hurt?"

Felicia smiled faintly. "It hurts, but pressing certain acupoints eases it."

Emma glanced at the steadily flowing lochia and muttered, "You're incredible, Mrs. Lucero."

She'd never seen a new mother self-administer postpartum lochia drainage on day one after a C-section.

If not for her technique, her pain tolerance alone deserved applause.

Felicia smiled faintly. "Please fetch warm water to clean up."

Afterwards, Mina woke.

Felicia tracked the time. The baby had nursed at 10 PM and now stirred again at 12:30 AM.

Emma placed the tiny bundle in Felicia's arms. Mina suckled quietly, eyes closed, melting Felicia's heart.

Every newborn was pure magic.

But thoughts of Ambi's behavior darkened her mood.

"Ambi, I want to love you and watch you grow. But even a mother's heart can break.

"After endless disappointments, she'd let go." she thought.

"Thank you for your help these days," she told the nanny.

She'd never use Seymour's hired help again.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Lucero. I'll settle down Mina for bed. She's been so calm. You should rest now too."

Alone, Felicia opened her phone's alarm settings.

She deleted the alarms for making breakfast for Ambi and taking him to school.

She also deleted the alarms for taking him to attend kickboxing class and preparing milk after his homework.

Every trace of Ambi vanished.

Could she blame the child? No! Children mirrored their parents. Ambi's disdain reflected Seymour's.

So she erased it all.

Felicia created new alarms all for Mina.

This time, she'd raise her princess alone.

No repeats.

But she couldn't stay a housewife.

She opened her contacts and texted, "Jarred, does the lab still need help?"

During morning rounds, the nurse asked, "Has the postpartum lochia been expelled today?"

Emma quickly replied, "Yes, yes, she did."

She'd secretly studied Felicia's technique earlier, learning tricks to ease the process. "Maybe that'll earn me a raise with future clients," she thought.

Felicia didn't mind sharing tips, even teaching Emma key points.

Felicia treated Emma sincerely, and Emma would care better for Mina.

Wasn't the simplest rule of human connection to treat others as one wanted to be treated?

The doctor nodded approvingly. "Keep it up. It's painful but beneficial."

Outside the room, he remarked to the nurse, "Which agency is that nanny from? We should recommend her."

They assumed the nanny handled the drainage, as most new mothers complained bitterly about the pain.

The head nurse checked the records. "Home of Love's postpartum care service."

They hadn't heard other mothers praise Emma.

The hospital cafeteria meals lacked nutrition. Emma fretted, "Mrs. Lucero, you can't eat this during recovery!"

She heard Felicia's husband say he would come today. But he still didn't show up.

Felicia handed her a number. "Don't worry. Meals will be delivered."

She showed Emma a menu.

"Oh, this looks perfect! Is this a specialized postpartum meal service?"

The balanced dishes resembled those from high-end maternity centers.

Felicia sipped water. "A friend's hotel handles it."

Emma nodded, unfazed. She thought, "Mrs. Lucero clearly comes from wealth; it hardly seems odd that she knows a few hotel owners."

The Lucero's place.

They'd returned home late last night, so the staff only learned of Felicia's delivery that morning.

Between making breakfast for Ambrose and preparing postpartum meals for Felicia, everything spiraled into chaos.

"Dad, this egg tastes gross!"

Ambrose had always eaten meals cooked by Felicia.

Due to his severe allergies, only she remembered all his dietary restrictions.

Once, a nanny added crushed peanuts to his food. Three-year-old Ambrose nearly choked.

After that, Felicia banned anyone from touching his meals, even at 39 weeks pregnant.

Seymour frowned slightly. "Where's Bettie?"

Bettie wiped the sweat from her forehead, panicking. "Mr. Lucero, your son likes Mrs. Lucero's steamed egg pudding. I can't replicate her recipe!"

"How hard can steamed eggs be?" Seymour scoffed. "Call her. Ask her."

He never imagined Felicia's absence would stump them over eggs.

If word got out, the Lucero family would be mocked for lacking competent staff.

Ambrose pouted. "Dad, what do I eat now?"

"Egg custard. And stop being picky."

Though the child had severe allergies, he was undeniably picky. That was why Felicia went out of her way to make meals he liked.

Ambrose sullenly put down his fork. "Humph! I won't eat then!"

Yvonne coaxed, "Ambi, at least drink your milk!"

"No! No! No!" The stubborn child ran back to his room.

Seeing her grandson skip breakfast, Yvonne fretted. "Ambi, this child..."

Seymour said coldly, "Let him go hungry. Skipping one meal won't starve him."

His son was becoming spoiled beyond limits.

But Yvonne worried. "Sey, you're too harsh on Ambi sometimes. I've watched him grow up."

"Mom, he's five now. No more coddling."

He calmly wiped his mouth and stood to leave for the hospital.

As he put on his coat, his phone rang.

"What? Mabel fell down the stairs?"

Seymour grabbed his coat. "Mom, go check on Felicia. I'm heading to the Pruitt's place. Mabel's in trouble!"

"Go ahead. Don't worry about Felicia!"

Emma checked the clock. It was 10 AM, and Felicia's husband still hadn't arrived.

How heartless he was to abandon his own daughter.

"Mina, it's Mama."

"Giggle."

Felicia smiled at her daughter's crescent-shaped eyes, her mood lifting.

"Emma, look! Mina's responding to me!"

Emma chuckled. "She's your sunshine. Never cries and always smiles. The easiest baby I've ever cared for."

"Mina loves her mama."

Felicia's world now revolved entirely around her daughter.

She said to Emma, "Emma, I'll walk down the hallway for a bit."

"Mrs. Lucero, is your incision not hurting anymore?"

"Not much. Moving around helps recovery." Felicia shook her head.

As she stepped out, the head nurse greeted her warmly. "Ms. Pruitt, you seem to be recovering well!"

Felicia smiled. "It is. Thanks to Dr. Welch and all of you, the surgery went smoothly."

News of Felicia delivering alone had spread through the department.

Passing nurses cast her sympathetic glances.

Felicia ignored their stares, slowly walking along the wall.

Suddenly, Connor, who had performed her surgery, rushed to the director at the station. "Prof. Galvan is here! He and the dean just entered the elevator. They'll be here any minute!"

The director tensed. "Which Prof. Galvan?"

"Prof. Eugene Galvan from Brookdale Hospital!"

At the name, the director stiffened.

Eugene Galvan wasn't just a renowned physician at Brookdale Hospital. He led a national key laboratory.

His students were all top-tier talents, each capable of heading departments at top-tier hospitals.

"Why is he coming to our gynecology and obstetrics department?"

Wasn't he oncology's top expert?

Felicia's brow twitched. As she turned to retreat to her room, a booming voice roared behind her. "Felicia! Don't you dare run!"

She forced a bitter smile, facing the elderly man she hadn't seen in five years. "Prof. Galvan ... long time no see."

In the hospital room, Felicia faced the fuming old man across from her. She forced a smile. "Prof. Galvan, what brings you here?"

"Humph! Can't I visit any hospital I please?"

She shot a glare at her "traitorous" senior colleague beside him. She just texted him casually. How'd he drag the professor here?

Jarred Figueroa cleared his throat. "Licia, why didn't you tell Prof. Galvan about your second child?"

"Clearly, she's forgotten her teacher!" Eugene huffed.

"No, that's not true. I ... thought you wouldn't want to see me."

Years ago, Eugene had openly favored Felicia in the lab. But she left after marrying, claiming pregnancy and family duties.

Eugene, known for being eccentric and picky, had never valued a student so highly before, yet Felicia proved deserving of his mentorship.

He once planned to hand over his lab to his most cherished student upon retirement. But Felicia left abruptly, catching him completely off guard.

Her abrupt exit led him to block her entirely.

Six years later, she'd finally contacted Jarred.

"Afraid?" Eugene scoffed. "Not afraid to marry a scumbag? Where is your husband? Was throwing away your future for him worth it?"

Felicia's nose stung.

Yes, she was blinded by foolishness.

How else could she mistake lies for love?

Felicia bowed her head. "Prof. Galvan, I was wrong."

Eugene had always prized his reputation. Though Felicia's departure from the lab years ago had stung, he couldn't bear seeing her talent wasted.

He'd rarely met someone with her medical intuition.

"Gah!"

A tiny coo came from the crib.

Jarred peeked over. "Who's this little cutie? I'm your mom's senior. Call me 'Big Bro'!"

"Jarred!" Felicia snorted. "You're old enough to be her uncle."

She lifted Mina. "Sweetie, meet Mom's teacher. Remember this white-bearded man when you grow up!"

"Goo!" Mina waved her tiny fists, earning a stiff smile from Eugene.

"Good ... baby."

Jarred stifled a laugh.

Eugene's awkward baby talk was amusing.

Eugene shot him a glare. "Amusing?"

"No, Prof. Galvan. My bad."

Mina's antics eased the tension.

Eugene turned to Felicia. "Your spot in the lab remains open. Return anytime. But once you do, leaving won't be so easy."

"Thank you, Prof. Galvan."

Jarred cut in. "So, do you plan to get a divorce?"

They'd briefly texted about her leaving the Lucero family.

Felicia's eyes hardened. "Yes."

"Good riddance. That husband of yours is trash."

Eugene glared. "Any of your seniors here would outshine that husband of yours."

He'd disapproved of Felicia's marriage to Seymour from the start.

Six years later, their relationship was crumbling.

Felicia scratched her nose sheepishly. "You were right."

"Humph! When will you return to the lab?"

She paused. "After my postpartum recovery. Maybe when Mina turns three months old."

Jarred raised a practical concern. "Who'll care for the baby then?"

Eugene waved dismissively. "Plenty of idle seniors here. Rotate them."

Jarred groaned inwardly, "Please don't include me."

Mabel lay in the hospital bed, frail as a porcelain doll. "Sey, it's just a sprain. I'm fine."

Seymour frowned at her swollen ankle. "Stay in bed. I'll send a nanny."

Edwina smiled warmly. "Already arranged. Sey, thank you for rushing over. Roger and his father are away."

"Of course," Seymour replied politely.

"Auntie Mabel, I'll rub it! Rub it and it won't hurt!"

Ambrose, who'd been sulking over breakfast, now hovered worriedly.

"Ambi, don't touch her!"

Kids could be rough. That might backfire.

Ambrose froze, hurt. "Dad, why are you yelling?"

Mabel's heart swelled with sweetness.

Seymour even scolded his son for her.

"Sey, it's fine. Ambi just cares about me."

"I know Ambi loves me most! Your daddy was just worried. Here, take the chocolate!"

Ambrose licked his lips. "I haven't had chocolate for a long time!"

Edwina hesitated. "Mabel, your sister mentioned he's mildly allergic."

"It's fine, Mom. My second degree was in nutrition. Just because someone's allergic doesn't mean they must avoid it forever. Ambi might've reacted to one ingredient as a child. Gradual exposure to allergens can actually help overcome sensitivities over time.

"A little won't hurt."

Seymour frowned but didn't object.

But since it was Mabel's kind gesture, he'd let Ambi accept it first and quietly take it away later.

"Take it, Ambi. Thank Auntie Mabel."

Ambi beamed.

It was chocolate!

He boomed, "Thank you, Auntie Mabel."

Mabel blinked innocently. "Sey ... will Felicia be upset you visited me?"

The room tensed.

Ambi chirped, "No! When Dad and I were leaving, Grandma said she would visit Mom!"

Seymour relaxed.

His mother was experienced. She would handle it.

But Yvonne had forgotten entirely.

Seymour and Ambi spent most of the day at the hospital with Mabel. After a work call, he didn't pick up Ambi until evening.

They returned home at 8 PM.

Yvonne had just finished a card game with friends.

"Sey, Ambi! How's Mabel's foot?"

Seymour pressed his lips. "Fine."

When he'd first heard about the "fall", his hands had shaken on the wheel.

It turned out that Mabel had tripped on three small steps outside the villa.

Thankfully, it was only those steps. If she'd fallen down the actual stairs, the outcome would've been disastrous.

"Thank goodness it was her leg. Imagine if she'd hurt her hands!"

The family prized Mabel's hands. After going missing at five, she'd been adopted by a cello teacher and trained rigorously.

Poverty had barred her from elite schools until the Pruitt family found her at eighteen.

Otherwise, a genius violoncellist would have gone unrewarded.

Seymour asked stiffly, "How was she today? Calmer?"

He meant his wife, who had just given birth.

Yvonne froze. "Oh... Mrs. Aykroyd called about a gathering with Mrs. Stone. I ... didn't visit the hospital."

"Did Bettie go?" Seymour startled.

His mother didn't go, but sending the postpartum meals should have been enough.

"Well..."

Yvonne forgot to mention it. Bettie wouldn't take the initiative to deliver the meals to Felicia.

Seymour's face darkened. "So ... none of you went?"

Yvonne glanced at the clock. "It's 8 PM. If Felicia hadn't eaten, she'd have called. No call means she found food. Hotels sell postpartum meals anyway."

Seymour's worry lingered, but his son's whimper pulled his focus.

"Dad, I'm so itchy!"

Ambrose squirmed, tiny hands clawing at his clothes.

Seymour grabbed his wrists. "What did you eat?"

He lifted the boy's shirt and found red rashes covering his stomach and back.

Yvonne gasped. "Ambi! What did you have? You're allergic!"

Seymour narrowed his eyes. "The chocolate?"

Ambrose pouted. "Just a tiny bite, Dad!"

He was itchy all over, but Seymour wouldn't let him scratch.

"Dad, itchy! It hurts!" Tears streamed down the boy's face.

"Bettie! First aid kit!"

Bettie scrambled. "Yes, Mr. Lucero!"

The Lucero family kept a well-stocked medical kit, always managed by Felicia.

Bettie hurried over with the first aid kit from the usual cabinet, then froze when she opened it.

Seymour frowned, losing patience. "Why are you standing there? Get the ointment for Ambi now!"

Bettie looked uneasy. "There are five allergy medications here. I don't know which one to apply to him."

Seymour took a deep breath. "Don't you know which one he uses?"

Bettie hesitated. "Mr. Lucero, Mrs. Lucero always handled Ambi's medications. She never let us touch them."

This happened because a previous maid had administered the wrong medication. Felicia had since kept them away from the medications.

No one cared for the child like his mother.

Seymour's face turned icy. "Call the driver. We're going to the hospital. Now!"

He carried his son to the car, Yvonne trailing anxiously.

"My precious grandson must be okay!" she wondered.

At 10 PM, the nurse hooked Ambi to an IV drip, while the doctor eyed Seymour sternly.

"Mr. Lucero, I know you're busy, but your son's diet needs closer attention. He has severe allergies. Many foods are risky. I warned your wife too. For example, the chocolate you ate likely contains hidden allergens, which triggered his reaction.

"Allergies can turn deadly. Even gradual exposure to allergens requires a doctor's supervision. Don't gamble with this.

"Remember his near-fatal allergy at three? Carelessness kills."

Seymour clenched his fists. "My wife just had our second child. We ... overlooked this. It won't happen again."

The doctor raised an eyebrow but left without further comment.

Incidents like today's wouldn't be the last. Felicia had just given birth. Even the fastest postpartum recovery took a month. Yet the entire Lucero family relied solely on his wife to know Ambi's dietary restrictions.

Seymour turned to Bettie. "Call my wife. Get Ambi's full allergy list and medication details.

"Now!"

Bettie trembled. "Y ... yes, Mr. Lucero."

Felicia answered Bettie's call after nursing Mina.

"Bettie? What's wrong?"

"Mrs. Lucero, Ambi ate chocolate and had an allergic reaction. The hospital treated him. Mr. Lucero is furious. When will you return?"

Felicia frowned. "How did he get chocolate?"

It was strictly forbidden.

"His aunt gave it to him."

Mabel again?

And Seymour knew better that Ambrose was allergic to chocolate.

Why didn't he stop it?

Her voice chilled. "How is Ambi now?"

"Stable. Mr. Lucero asked me to get a list of his dietary needs from you. Could you also note which medications in the kit treat specific symptoms?"

Bettie felt uneasy. Felicia had just delivered her second child, yet the family sent a servant to handle this instead of visiting.

What a mess!

Felicia nodded. "I'll send it later. Save and print the list for reference. Allergies can be deadly. Take them seriously. Understood?"

"Yes, Mrs. Lucero."

Bettie wondered, "Why print it? Is Mrs. Lucero not planning to return home?"

After hanging up, Felicia leaned back against the headboard, deep in thought.

She couldn't abandon the child she'd carried for nine months.

As she opened her notes to send Ambi's care details, a message from Mabel popped up.

"Felicia, I tripped on the stairs today. Seymour insisted on taking me to the hospital, so I couldn't visit you.

"You're not mad, right?"

Felicia stared at her phone with a mocking smile.

Perhaps she would have cared. Perhaps she would have been upset before.

But after having Mina, things had all changed.

"Mabel, do you feel a sense of accomplishment stealing someone else's man?"

On the other end of the phone, Mabel's face darkened. "Stealing? Felicia, Sey is always mine!"

How could it be stealing?

If Felicia hadn't appeared, if Mabel hadn't lost her way, how could Felicia even have a chance?

Felicia sneered. "Don't worry. Seymour will be yours from now on."

Upon seeing the message, Mabel scoffed and dismissed it with a smile.

She didn't believe her at all!

Felicia would never give up on Seymour unless he took the initiative to divorce her.

Otherwise, how could she possibly give up on the only heir to the Lucero Group? She was just an adopted daughter of the Pruitt family after all.

But it wouldn't take long before Mabel would make sure her dear sister learned the lesson that no matter how hard Felicia clung to Seymour, he would always belong to Mabel.

Seymour had stayed in the hospital all night caring for his son. The doctor said that if everything was fine after another half-day observation, they could discharge him.

Bettie came to deliver breakfast. "Sir, I've already spoken to Mrs. Lucero last night. She sent me a list of all the food Ambrose is allergic to and asked me to print copies to put up in visible places at home.

"Don't worry, sir. This won't happen again."

Ambrose pouted. "Ah, Bettie, how could you tell Mom? Now, Mom will never let me eat anything from outside!"

Felicia never let him eat any snacks.

Even though Auntie Mabel's chocolate made him allergic, it was all worth it. The chocolate was so sweet.

Other kids could eat chocolate, but not him!

"Ambi, you can't just eat whatever you want from outside. Or do you like getting shots at the hospital?"

Ambrose frowned and didn't dare to speak.

Although chocolate was sweet, the shots were very painful. He didn't want to experience them again.

With that, Seymour suddenly remembered Bettie's words. "You mean Felicia asked you to print those out?"

"Yes, sir!"

It seemed Seymour also found it strange.

Seymour nodded slightly. "Yes, print them out and give a copy to each of the household staff. Any foods listed cannot even enter the house."

The staff groaned internally but dared not voice a complaint.

"Understood, sir."

"By the way," Seymour paused, "Make a few dishes Felicia likes and send them to her at lunch. Tell her that Ambi is sick, and I'll go visit her and the baby tomorrow at the hospital."

Mabel heard that Ambi had been hospitalized because of the chocolate she gave him, and she was greatly shocked.

Fortunately, she and Ambi were in the same hospital, so she immediately changed to the same ward as him.

"Ambi, I'm sorry. I didn't expect you to react so badly to the chocolate."

Children didn't hold grudges, not to mention that Mabel was his favorite.

"Auntie, it's not your fault. It's because Mom won't let me eat it usually. If I ate a little every day, I wouldn't have an allergic reaction!"

Bettie was speechless. She wanted to say that if he had chocolate every day, he would have cavities, no matter whether he got allergic or not.

Since Seymour hadn't commented, Bettie didn't say anything either.

Seymour simply said indifferently, "Mabel, it's not your fault. It was just an accident. It was Ambrose's fault."

Ambrose, frustrated, crossed his arms, "Dad, when Mom's not around, you're so strict with me."

Mabel pretended to be concerned. "Sey, is Felicia recovering well?"

Seymour raised an eyebrow slightly. "She's fine."

Seeing that he wasn't willing to say more, Mabel didn't press him further.

Women should always be able to read a man's expression.

She winked playfully at Ambrose. "Ambi and Auntie were so in sync. We even got sick at the same time. Let's take a picture together, OK?"

"Okay!" Ambrose was cheered up right away. "Dad, you should join us! We're going to take a big family photo with Auntie!"

Ambrose stood between the two of them, sitting on their laps.

"Dad, three, two, one, cheese!"

Mabel pressed the shutter.

"Ambi, look! Do you like my photo?"

Ambrose waved his hands excitedly, "Wow, Auntie, the photo is amazing!"

"Dad, look, you're smiling too."

Seymour glanced over, a faint smile curling his lips.

"Not bad."

Mabel looked at the photo on her phone, a sly glint in her eyes. She sent it out casually.

At the hospital...

During the childbirth when Seymour didn't keep her company, Felicia hadn't been idle either.

Besides playing with Mina, Felicia had asked Jarred to send over the latest research from the lab. She was preparing for her return.

She then saw Bettie standing outside the room, holding several things. Felicia raised an eyebrow and said, "Bettie."

"Mrs. Lucero, Mr. Lucero asked me to bring you lunch."

But when she saw the appetizing lunch on the table in front of Felicia, Bettie froze. "Mrs. Lucero, you're already eating."

"Yeah," Felicia smiled coldly. "It's already half past twelve. Doesn't it make sense that I'm eating?"

Bettie didn't mean to be late. She had first gone to the hospital to check on Ambrose. She then rushed back to prepare Felicia's lunch.

That took quite some time.

"Sorry, Madam. Would you like to try some food from home?" she asked tentatively. "Mr. Lucero specifically asked me to bring this to you this morning."

"Oh?" Felicia sneered. "Then why didn't he bring it himself?"

Bettie felt a pang of anxiety. Sure enough, Felicia wanted Seymour to come to the hospital.

But Seymour was attending to Ambrose...

"Mrs. Lucero, yesterday, Mr. Ambrose Lucero had a sudden allergic reaction. Mr. Lucero stayed at the hospital all night, so he couldn't come. But he did send me over to visit you."

Felicia gave her a cold glance. "Then what about Yvonne? Is she also at the hospital with Ambi? So you're saying that everyone was with Ambi and no one could spare any time for me?"

Bettie didn't know what to say. "Well..."

How could she respond to that?

"Alright, Bettie, you can go back now."

Felicia went on eating her lunch. That was food specially prepared for newly delivered mothers.

"Well, Mrs. Lucero, would you like to try the food I brought?"

If Seymour found out that Felicia didn't have the lunch Bettie brought over, he might cause her problems.

Felicia didn't even lift her eyelids. "Nope. Just take it back."

Reluctantly, Bettie lowered her head and left.

"Aww!" Mina, who had just been fed, suddenly made a soft sound.

Felicia stood up and smiled. "Oh, Mina, do you agree with what Mommy did just now?"

"Mrs. Lucero, you have a message." The maternity nurse reminded her.

Felicia set Mina down, smiled, and picked up the phone. When she unlocked the screen, her face fell.

"Felicia, what a coincidence! Ambi and I are in the same hospital, right across from where you're staying. Did Sey tell you?"

In the photo, her son was smiling sweetly, and her husband showed a rare smile for the first time.