A Difficult Choice

When Quentin Lin finished speaking, Alexander Hayes felt as if struck by lightning—his mind went blank, and an overwhelming sense of devastation surged through him.

Belle’s child was only mildly poisoned and received prompt treatment, so there’s a strong chance of a full recovery. But Lily Evans’s baby won’t be born for another two months—by then, the toxins will have caused irreversible, extensive damage. Even if we perform a full blood exchange immediately after birth, the child may still suffer severe intellectual impairment.

No wonder Quentin Lin refused to tell Lily Evans the truth—he deliberately called Alexander Hayes over to speak to him in private.

Alexander Hayes took a deep, shuddering breath, clenching his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white—pain and helplessness crashed over him like a tidal wave.

He had lived a life of prestige and honor, yet now—even his own flesh and blood, Alexander Hayes was powerless to protect.

In his agony, Alexander Hayes slammed his fist onto the table, his shoulders trembling violently—his pain was beyond words. "Dad, Quentin, is there any other way to save the child?"

Quentin Lin and Dr. Rowan Lin exchanged a look; both their faces were bleak, drained of all hope.

Quentin Lin finally spoke, his voice heavy and defeated: "There is a way... but it’s far too dangerous..."

"What is it!?" Alexander Hayes’s eyes flashed with desperate hope. He crouched, grabbing Quentin Lin’s shoulders. "Quentin, tell your brother-in-law—what method can save the child? Even if I have to walk through fire and blades, I’ll do anything!"

Quentin Lin looked at Alexander Hayes with deep sorrow and shook his head. "Brother-in-law, you can’t help with this—only Lily Evans can."

"What do you mean!?" Alexander Hayes demanded, his voice taut with urgency.

Quentin Lin drew a deep breath. "If you want to save the child, the only way is for Lily Evans to take a labor-inducing drug and deliver the baby now. As soon as the child is born, we must perform a full blood exchange to preserve their intelligence and prevent mental impairment. But... forcing an early birth with medication is extremely risky—if anything goes wrong, Lily’s life will be in grave danger..."

Alexander Hayes stared at Quentin Lin in stunned silence—he never imagined that the only way to save the child would be such a cruel, impossible choice.

Quentin Lin’s voice was low and trembling: "If Lily Evans chooses to risk her life, there’s a chance the child will survive unharmed. But if she refuses, the baby will be born with irreversible brain damage."

Alexander Hayes’s heart twisted in agony. He clenched his fists, voice hoarse: "No—Lily Evans has already suffered so much. How can I force her to make this choice?"

Dr. Rowan Lin’s expression was grave. "Alexander, this is the cruel reality. If you want to save the child, Lily Evans must risk her life. If you want to protect Lily, you must give up on the child."

Alexander Hayes’s mind raced, torn between anguish and desperation. He looked at Dr. Rowan Lin, voice trembling: "Dad, is there really no other way?"

Dr. Rowan Lin shook his head, eyes filled with sorrow. "If there were any other option, do you think I’d let my own daughter risk her life?"

Alexander Hayes slumped into a chair, his entire body trembling. The weight of the decision threatened to crush him.

Quentin Lin quietly handed Alexander Hayes a glass of water, his own hands shaking. "Brother-in-law, I’m sorry..."

Alexander Hayes gripped the glass tightly, his knuckles pale. He shut his eyes, forcing back tears—his heart shattered, unable to make the impossible choice.