Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1474: Mother or Child

Hayden Crawford immediately furrowed his brow, "What, Willow has already taken heart blood twice, is she trying to kill herself? If she takes it a third time, she will die!"

Hayden couldn’t believe that his precious daughter had made such a significant decision behind their backs, without discussing it with them at all, resolute and uncompromising.

Serena Sterling looked at her daughter, "Let’s carry Willow upstairs first. I’ll apply the acupuncture."

"Okay."

...

Willow Crawford suddenly awoke, sitting up from the bed, still calling out, "Morgan Ashworth!"

She looked around and only then realized she was no longer with Morgan; she had returned to her own home.

Just now, she had a nightmare, dreaming that Morgan was drenched in blood, lying in a pool of it.

No.

That wasn’t a dream.

Morgan had indeed suffered a poison attack and was perhaps still unconscious now.

Willow immediately threw off the quilt, wanting to get out of bed, but as her feet touched the ground, she found herself weak and powerless, collapsing onto the soft carpet.

At this moment, a vague pain emanated from her abdomen. She placed her small hand on her belly, where their child was.

Now things were truly piling misfortunes upon misfortunes.

"Willow, you’re awake. Why are you sitting on the ground?" At this moment, Serena entered with a bowl of herbal medicine, quickly helping Willow up.

Willow held Serena’s hand tightly, "Mommy, do you know everything?"

The doctors couldn’t diagnose her condition, but with her mommy’s medical skills, it was easy to discern her current state.

Serena nodded, "Yes, Willow, you can make choices about your life, but you shouldn’t have hidden it from Daddy and Mommy."

Willow’s fair eyes immediately turned red; she felt very guilty. Daddy and Mommy had raised her so well, and she hadn’t even had the chance to repay their kindness, only causing them trouble. "Mommy, I’m sorry."

"Willow, you haven’t let down Daddy and Mommy; you’ve let yourself down. You’ve chosen to bear such a significant burden alone. You should have told us; we would have helped you."

Tears flowed from Willow’s eyes. She had been living with so much pain and restraint during this time, feeling she let everyone down. She tried to make things better, but they only got worse. She felt she had failed at everything, hating her helplessness at this moment.

Willow reached out to embrace Serena, choking with emotion, "Mommy, I feel so uncomfortable. I really don’t know what to do. I harmed Morgan, and I really want to save him. I was prepared to make sacrifices, but... I’m pregnant. This is Morgan’s and my first child, and I can’t bear to lose him..."

Serena gently patted Willow’s back. As a mother, she understood her daughter deeply. When she was pregnant, she also faced such a dilemma, returning with a triplet pregnancy to Alani to be separated from Hayden Crawford.

She knew how painful that was, but never thought her daughter would also endure such agony.

"Willow, it’s okay. Mommy will always be by your side, and Mommy will help you."

"Mommy, how’s Morgan doing? He was unconscious when I left. I want to see him now."

"I’ve already sent someone to check on Morgan. He won’t be in danger for now. With your two heart blood extractions, he’s holding on. However, he needs your third heart blood, or he will still die."

"Mommy, what are we waiting for? Quickly take my heart blood—I want to save him!"

"Willow, have you decided?"

Willow nodded vigorously, "Yes, I have decided. If he dies, there will be no meaning for the baby and me to live."

Serena had foreseen that Willow would be willing to sacrifice her life for Morgan Ashworth.

"Okay, I’ll help you take it. As for the child in your belly..."

This child.

Willow was very reluctant to let go, her hand lingering on her belly, caressing it with nostalgia. Giving up this child made her heart ache a lot.

At this moment, Serena said, "Willow, I can save this child."

What?

Willow froze, "Mommy, are you serious? My baby can be born safely?"

Serena nodded, "Yes, I can save this child, ensure his safe birth. But, I can’t protect you anymore, or rather, I can save you, but once the third extraction of heart blood is done, I must immediately induce abortion, and this child cannot be kept."

"Willow, do you understand Mommy’s meaning? You need to choose again now—between the child and yourself, you can only choose one."

Serena had a way, but between the mother and the child, she could only protect one; it depended on Willow’s choice.

Without any hesitation, Willow immediately replied, "Mommy, I want to keep this child."

"But your life..."

"Mommy, as long as Morgan and the baby live healthily and peacefully in this world, I will be satisfied. On the contrary, if either of them leaves me, I will never be happy for the rest of my life. I love them more than my own life."

Serena had actually guessed Willow’s choice, so she gently nodded, "Okay."

"I want to go back and see Morgan."

Serena shook her head, "No."

"Why?"

"Your body is no longer suitable for movement. From now until delivery, you must stay in the underground lab, sustained by herbal medicines. This process will be very painful."

Willow had already mentally prepared herself, but she was really unable to let go of Morgan, so she begged, "Mommy, I’ll listen to you. I won’t come out again, but I really want to see Morgan one last time, just one last time, okay?"

After all, it was her most beloved daughter, Serena softened, "Okay, I’ll take you."

...

Willow returned to where Morgan was; in the room, Morgan was quietly lying on the bed.

"Mommy, why hasn’t he woken up yet, he..."

Serena gave a reassuring look, "Don’t worry, Willow, I’ve already applied acupuncture, and he’ll wake up soon."

That’s good.

Willow sat by the bed, reaching out his hand to gently touch his handsome face, her fingertips moving from his forehead, eyes, nose to his lips, not missing any part, carefully caressing.

Heaven knows how much she loves him, how attached she is to him, how much she can’t bear to leave him.

This was the last meeting, her heart filled with sadness, "Honey, I have good news to tell you. You will get better, and even our baby will be born safely. Everything will get better, right?"

Willow lay on him, letting her tears wet her eyes, "But I will leave you forever. You both must not forget me. If you forget me, I will be very angry."