Is It Love Or a Lie?

Chapter 4 Realization

After a brief silence, Albert's cautious voice came through, "Well... every mother's situation is different, but it's certainly possible. After childbirth, hormonal changes can be drastic, and the pressure of taking care of a newborn can lead to mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. In severe cases, it can cause significant personality changes."

Lancelot held a cigarette between his fingers, the ember glowing dimly, casting shadows over his chiseled features, making his expression unreadable.

Images of Florence's cold, guarded demeanor from earlier flashed through his mind, a stark contrast to her former self.

'Could it be that she's really just suffering from postpartum depression, and that's why she's acting so differently?'

"I see."

He ended the call, his doubts easing slightly, but his brows remained furrowed.

"Lancelot."

Shirley's soft voice broke the silence behind him, carrying a trace of hidden urgency.

She hurried over in her high heels. Her eyes rimmed with redness as if she had suffered some great injustice. "Lancelot, are you worried about Florence? Could it be that... you've fallen for her?"

Lancelot's brows knitted together, a hint of displeasure in his voice. "Shirley, stop talking nonsense."

"But you're so concerned about her..." Shirley bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "Have you forgotten our feud? The Moore family was responsible for..."

"Enough!"

Lancelot interrupted sharply, his tone laced with a warning. "I know perfectly well why I married Florence. I don't need you reminding me every other minute."

'How could I ever forget such a deep-seated hatred?'

Shirley flinched slightly, silenced by his outburst, and glanced at him with a mix of fear and uncertainty.

Lancelot took a deep breath, forcing down the anger simmering within him. His tone softened a bit. "I called Albert because I'm worried she might suspect something. After all, she suddenly switched hospitals today, and her attitude toward me changed drastically."

"Do you think she might have realized something?" Shirley's face paled, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes.

"It's a possibility," Lancelot replied gravely. "This is a crucial moment for our revenge. We can't let her disrupt my plans."

"She must have found out something, or she wouldn't have suddenly gone crazy and pushed me down the stairs today. If I hadn't been lucky, I might have died there," Shirley said, her voice wavering with a hint of a sob, though a flash of malice gleamed in her eyes.

'If it weren't for Florence's sudden change, my plan would have gone smoothly.'

She had coaxed Lancelot into bribing the doctor to take away Florence's four babies, claiming it was stillborn, as the first step in their revenge against the Moore family. But her plan fell apart!

No man could stay completely heartless toward his own bloodline.

She feared that with the birth of the quadruplets, Lancelot might start feeling something more for Florence.

Lancelot patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'll take care of everything. Just stay away from the hospital for the next few days. We don't want to agitate her further."

"Okay... I understand, Lancelot." Shirley nodded obediently, though bitterness and resentment simmered in her eyes.

Lancelot pulled out his phone and called his assistant. "Book a reservation at a high-end restaurant. Prepare a lavish candlelight dinner with the finest ingredients. I'm taking Mrs. Grosvenor out when she leaves the hospital tomorrow."

After hanging up, he looked toward the direction of the ward, a complicated expression flickering in his eyes.

'I need to find out what game Florence is playing.'

Inside the ward, Florence cradled one of her babies in her arms, clumsily trying to breastfeed.

The hungry infant cried incessantly, rooting around but unable to latch properly.

"Ms. Moore, try to relax a bit. The baby might not be able to latch because you're too tense." Nancy, the nanny, patiently guided her and offered tips to the new mother.

Nancy had been by Florence's side since she was a child. After Florence's mother passed away, Nancy became like family to her.

Florence closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

She awkwardly held the baby, following Nancy's guidance as she attempted to nurse for the first time.

As the baby's small mouth touched her skin, a tingling sensation rippled through her body, spreading a warmth that filled her heart with a sense of satisfaction and joy she had never known.

"So this is what breastfeeding feels like?" Florence whispered, gazing at her child suckling hungrily, her heart swelling with love and contentment.

In this new life, she had finally protected her child.

The joy of regaining what she had lost brought tears to her eyes.

"Yes, there's a natural bond between a mother and her child," Nancy said with a gentle smile.

"But, Ms. Moore, I remember your due date was supposed to be in two weeks. Why did you suddenly go into labor so early? If I hadn't taken time off at such a crucial moment, you wouldn't have had to face this alone."

Nancy's words hit Florence like a bolt of lightning.

'That's right, my due date was supposed to be in two weeks. How did I suddenly give birth so early? And it just so happened that both my father and Nancy weren't by my side. Could it be... that someone had interfered?!'

The thought took root in her mind, growing rapidly like wildfire.

She remembered the things Shirley had said before she died in her previous life, and a chill crept up her spine.

'I need to call a lawyer!

I must uncover the truth about Lancelot's parents' death and how it might be connected to the Moore family and my father!'