Chapter 3 The Tables Turn
962 Words
Lancelot pressed his lips tightly, puzzled by Florence's sudden change in attitude toward him.
'But that's my four babies too. How could I possibly harm my own babies?'
He solemnly assured her. "Don't worry. The babies will be fine. Just focus on getting better."
The pain from childbirth and the exhaustion from the heavy bleeding began to overwhelm Florence. Her eyelids grew heavy, and just before she slipped into unconsciousness, she kept murmuring about her babies.
Lancelot's gaze shifted toward the nearby incubator.
Tiny newborns lay there, and a warmth spread through his chest.
'I'm a father now!'
However, his face remained stoic, revealing nothing. He turned his attention back to Florence, who was unconscious and pale. He snapped with urgency.
"Get her a blood transfusion, now!"
The doctor, taken aback by the dramatic scene, took a moment to recover. "Excuse me, sir, who are you to the patient?"
"Her husband."
The doctor looked up, confused. "But... I heard you were dead?"
That was what Florence had told them.
But now, staring into Lancelot's cold, steely eyes, the doctor realized he might have made a mistake. He showed a strained smile.
When Florence finally woke up, it was already afternoon.
She glanced around, only to find the bed empty and the incubator void of any babies.
Panic surged through her. She yanked out the IV, not even bothering to put on shoes, and rushed out the door. In the adjoining room, she found the nannies she had hired, and to her horror, Shirley was there too, holding one of her babies with a malicious glint in her eye.
Florence's heart clenched in terror.
'In my previous life, it was Lancelot and Shirley who conspired to end my unborn four babies' life. I won't let this woman near my babies again.'
"That's my child!"
Florence snatched the baby back, ignoring her own weakness. She shoved Shirley aside, sending her stumbling against the wall.
The impact landed directly on Shirley's earlier injury from a fall down the stairs. The fresh pain wracked her body, bringing tears to her eyes. This time, they weren't faked.
Lancelot arrived just in time to see the scene. "What happened here?"
Seeing him, Shirley put on a pitiful act, looking like she might burst into tears at any moment. "I don't know what happened. Florence just attacked me for no reason."
A single tear rolled down her cheek, making her look all the more fragile.
But just as Shirley was fully immersed in her performance, an unexpected sound broke the tension, ruining the moment.
"One, two, three, four."
Florence wasn't paying them any attention. She was too busy counting her babies. Once she confirmed all four were safe, relief washed over her, an overwhelming joy flooding her heart.
Joy swelled in her chest at the sight of her babies, safe and sound before her.
'I got a second chance at life, and my four babies are finally here, alive and well. No one will take them from me again.'
Lancelot frowned, his gaze shifting to Florence. A complicated expression crossed his face when he saw how she clung to the babies. He opened his mouth to speak, but Florence beat him to it.
She directly admitted. "Yes, I pushed her."
She stared coldly at Shirley, memories of her previous life flashing before her, the woman who had framed her over and over again. Florence's gaze grew even icier.
"Sorry, I just gave birth and might have a bit of postpartum depression. Couldn't control myself, you understand, right? You're so kind and understanding, after all. I'm sure you can forgive me, right?"
Her words were an apology, but her tone carried a hint of arrogance, making it clear she didn't truly feel remorse.
Yet, her excuse was just believable enough that no one could find fault with it.
Shirley seethed silently, at a loss for words.
Florence noticed and couldn't help but smile. Shirley had always played the nice girl, using this act to manipulate and humiliate her countless times. Now, the tables had turned, and seeing Shirley's frustration was immensely satisfying.
"Of course!"
Shirley begrudgingly swallowed her pride. She had to maintain her sweet and generous image in front of Lancelot, even if it meant taking this setback quietly.
"I'm a nurse. I can help take care of you during your recovery and even look after the babies!"
She glanced at the babies in their blankets, her eyes flashing with malice. Unbeknownst to her, Florence caught the look and read her intentions clearly.
"Sorry, but your qualifications don't quite meet our standards. The Moore family only hires nannies with at least a college degree."
Florence knew exactly what Shirley was up to and wasn't about to give her any chance to get close to the babies. She also dragged Lancelot into the conversation to rub salt in the wound.
"Isn't that right?"
Florence's words were calm, but Shirley could hear the arrogance laced within them, especially the condescending look Florence shot her way. It made Shirley feel like a cornered animal, desperate to escape.
"I just remembered I have some work to do at the hospital," Shirley mumbled, finding a quick excuse to leave the room.
Lancelot remained rooted to the spot, his gaze probing as he studied Florence.
Sensing his scrutiny, she instinctively tightened her grip on the babies in her arms. Her voice turned cold. "Why are you still here?"
Lancelot observed her wary, defensive stance, like a porcupine with its quills raised. After a long moment, he turned and left without another word.
The first thing he did after leaving was pull out his phone and dial a number.
"Albert, can postpartum depression set in immediately after childbirth? And can it cause sudden changes in personality?"
- Writer
