Chapter 6 Dream On

• The doctor quickly assessed her condition and began preparing for the procedure.
• Lisette stayed composed and silent, her eyes shut tight, bracing herself for the ordeal.
• Had William been unkind to her, she might have fought fiercely to keep the baby.
• Yet, he had been good to her. Hence, despite his current coldness, she was prepared to endure it.
• But just as she was being wheeled towards the operating room, Rhea arrived.
• "Stop everything right now!" Lisette's eyes flew open.
• Rhea burst in, pointing an accusing finger at the doctor. "Dr. Morris, are you truly going to proceed with this?"
• Andrew Morris looked weary. "Mrs. Preston, if William does not want the baby, there is nothing more I can do."
• "He doesn't want it, but I do! This is my grandchild, and I intend to care for him myself!"
• "Mrs. Preston, I—"
• "Stop talking! Return her to her room immediately, or our long-standing relationship is finished!"
• Faced with Rhea's forceful insistence, Andrew had no choice but to instruct that Lisette be taken back to her room.
• "I'll give you a warning—if William comes searching for me, I will say this was your order."
• "Say whatever you want. Let him come find me!"
• "Alright. I'll do as you say, then."
• Back in her room, Lisette replayed Rhea and Andrew's conversation in her mind.
• She placed her hand gently on her still-flat stomach and whispered, "Baby, are you still here?"
• This isn't a dream? It's real?
• Rhea soon returned with more updates. "Since neither of you want this child, I do. From now on, someone will come to look after you until the baby is safely delivered."
• With that, she turned on her heel and walked away.
• Lisette called after her. "Rhea."
• Rhea halted, her displeasure evident.
• Lisette clutched her stomach and gazed at her. "Rhea, after the baby's born—"
• Before she could finish, Rhea cut her off. "The baby will have no connection to you once it is born. You and William will continue as before."
• Lisette's grip on her clothes tightened.
• The baby will have no connection to me? But this is my child ...
• Summoning courage she didn't realize she had, Lisette sat up. "Rhea, can I take the baby with me?"
• Rhea's eyes widened in disbelief. "What are you talking about?"
• How could a divorced woman possibly take a Preston child away?
• Does she even understand what she's asking?
• "This is my baby. I want to raise it. I—"
• "Be quiet! This child belongs to the Prestons. There's no way you can take it. Lisette, don't make demands of me. I can give you money, but if you think you can take this child, forget it!"
• Fuming, Rhea stormed out, leaving Lisette with a bitter smile.
• She knew her hopes were probably naive, but the thought of losing all connection with the baby was heart-wrenching.
• At Luxon Group—a towering skyscraper that seemed to pierce the sky, with its expansive view from the fifty-sixth floor projecting an aura of authority and prestige.
• It was Lincolnville's tallest building, symbolizing immense power.
• William stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, his dark eyes scanning the cityscape below, filled with towering buildings.
• Knock, knock, knock.
• The sound of knocking was followed by Kurt's entrance.
• "Mr. Preston, we've received an update from the hospital. Mrs. Preston has taken Mrs. Lisette away."
• William's gaze grew colder, his eyes narrowing. "When did this happen?"
• "An hour ago."