Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0196

As my hand curled involuntarily, a sudden pain shot through my lower abdomen.

“Ariana, are you surprised? You didn’t expect this, did you? You really thought Nick wouldn’t look after me?” Claudia’s smug voice sounded like a demon’s, which made my body recoil in discomfort.

But with Frances and Daniel watching me from afar with kind expressions, I found myself unable to move.

Only after the dull ache subsided did I finally push Claudia away. Smiling, I placed the flowers in the vase on Daniel’s bedside table without sparing her another glance.

As if on cue, Claudia and Frances exchanged a look before leaving. Suddenly. Daniel and I were the only ones left in the ward.

The head of the bed was slightly elevated for him to lean back. Hel slowly raised his hand to remove his oxygen mask so that he could speak. But his movements were slow, and his arms were stiff, so he failed to do so.

His eyes sought my help. At that moment, I felt the color drain from my face.

Yasmine once told me that as a lawyer, one could not have too much empathy. Otherwise, one might want to stab the clients who were despicable and evil.

But since when had I become so cold toward a frail old man who

could not even perform simple actions without help?

I quickly helped him remove the mask. Instead of a greeting after our long separation, Daniel let out a series of painful groans. After a

he finally spoke

we really gotten old and useless can’t even take care of myself anymore

I remember that when I was Ilie Daniel wa

jood shape. He was tail and straight backed. You could tell from Nicholas’s true that his father could not have been much different. Even in middle age te only had a slight beer belly and was not really overweight.

But now he looked thin and fragile. He needed help with daily activities and was constantly being moved around by others. The illness had taken not just his heath but his dignity too

While I was lost in thought, I heard Daniel speak again. “Amana, why do I feel like we’re not as close with each other anymore

That’s not it. How are you feeling. Dach

For some reason, I had a bad feeling My team fet heavy with a sense of oppression. Facing him, I did not know what expression should wear to appear natural and withstand his dim but star

gaze

He coughed lightly. “Ariana, I can’t talk for too long in my condition.

I’ll

so get straight to the point. You’ve met Jasmine, right?

“Yes,” I replied calmity

“It was my idea to have Jasmine bear a child for the Nicholas family.

Even though I had mentally prepared myself hearing those words still made my heart sink.

Daniel did not give me a chance to speak. He cornued know you’ll resent me for this. You might even be thinking The old man S about to die and he’s soll causing publ

His pale lips barely moved as he spoke coldly. “But I’m not doing this just to continue our family’s bloodline. It’s all for Nicholas.

“His mother passed away early, so he has a deep longing for a complete family. You can see it in him. Few children would support their parents in starting new families, but he never opposed it. He even liked both the mother and daughter.

“But they’re not related by blood. I know my time is limited, and if I pass away, he’ll lose his only father too. Would you have the heart to let him stay alone in this cold world?”