The atmosphere in the hospital room was stifling.

Mila and Quentin stood frozen, staring at Bella in utter shock.

"Ms. Bella, you... You knew all along that the boy was Young Master Hugh?" Quentin's voice trembled with disbelief.

"Yes." Bella pressed her lips together, lowering her lashes. "Last time, when Ralph took his cigarette butt for a DNA test... We already knew the results."

"So you and Ralph both knew that he was my Hugh... Yet you conspired to keep it from me?!" Mila stepped forward, her shoulders shaking, her eyes were red with restrained emotion.

A pang of guilt pierced Bella's heart. She hesitated before whispering, "Aunt Mila, I'm sorry... If you must blame someone, blame me. It was my idea-it had nothing to do with Ralph."

Mila's gaze locked onto hers, unwavering. Without realizing it, tears streamed down her face.

"You have no idea what I have endured all these years without Hugh. Wyatt, Camilla, Celeste, and Sasha -they all told me to let go. I forced myself to move past the grief of losing my child and accept the possibility that Hugh was gone, his body lost forever.

"But I never let go. Not for a single second. Night after night, I dreamed of Hugh standing before me, drenched from head to toe, whispering over and over, 'Mom... The water is so cold...""

A heavy sigh escaped Quentin's lips, while Bella trembled, overwhelmed with sorrow.

Mila's tears fell uncontrollably, her reddened eyes swirling with anguish. "Bella, you knew everything and

still kept it from me. Do you not see how presumptuous and cruel you have been to me?"

For the first time, the woman who had treated Bella as her own daughter and spoiled Bella more than her own children raised her voice.

At this moment, pain consumed Mila, stripping away her usual composure.

"I'm sorry..." Bella apologized again, choking on her words.

unable to bear Bella being scolded. "But you have watched Ms. Bella grow up. You know what kind of person she is.

urgency. "Aunt

Mila's entire body tensed.

being manipulated and used. The person controlling him could take his life at any moment.

from you and Wyatt. I was afraid that

pounded violently. Her bloodshot eyes widened.

her head. "Aunt Mila, I'm sorry. For both your safety, I

road, a group of people tried to

mounting. "If what you say is true, that the mastermind still has a use for Hugh-why would they try to kill

Her gaze darkened

in need of capable men. Why, then, would he try to eliminate

force at play-someone who wanted to sever Grant's right-hand man before he could be fully

far more complex

settled over Bella's heart, but she forced herself to reassure Mila. "Aunt Mila, don't worry. Hugh is not

Mila's voice cracked. "Do you have any idea... The doctors

the hospital a moment later, he would not

Mila could barely breathe. Bella rushed to soothe her, gently patting her

I lose him again... I don't want to

time, I swear I will bring Hugh home

then, Mila's

She glanced down.

red dot moved

widened. "Aunt

the phone, her knuckles turning

installed a tracker on his phone. da Savrow is too big,

She could not help but marvel-Wyatt's women were truly not

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