Belle's Misfortune

"It's not your fault, how could it be your fault!" Lily Evans hugged Belle tightly, her heart aching for her.

Belle recoiled as if shocked, scrambling backward until she curled up in a tiny ball in the corner, hugging her knees and sobbing. "Madam, please don't touch me. I'm dirty now, I'm not clean anymore."

"Nonsense, who says you're not clean! Don't ever talk about yourself like that again!" Lily Evans kicked off her shoes and jumped onto the bed, pulling Belle into her arms. "No matter what happened, you're still my good girl, Belle. This isn't your fault—the real culprit is that beast, Ernie Lee. Why should you bear the burden of his crime? Belle, stand tall! You're not inferior to anyone, you hear me?"

"Madam..." Belle threw herself into Lily Evans's arms, crying her heart out.

April started crying too. The sisters had barely escaped the fire thanks to Lily Evans, and now, after only a few peaceful days, Belle had to suffer this. Truly a life of hardship.

Eugene Warren watched Belle sob in misery, his heart twisted with guilt. He hated himself for failing to protect her, letting Ernie Lee take advantage of the situation.

Eugene Warren punched the wall, his fist bleeding, overcome with remorse. "It's all my fault. I failed to protect Belle!"

Seeing Eugene Warren's anguished face, Lily Evans said, "Belle is burning up with fever after all this shock and grief. We need to get Dr. Wu right away!"

"I'll go get Dr. Wu!" Eugene Warren snapped to attention, blurting out.

Without another word, Eugene Warren sprinted all the way to Dr. Wu's house.

"Oh, it's young Steward Warren. What urgent business brings you here so late?" Dr. Wu asked, surprised.

Eugene Warren tried to act casual. "Our Second Lady suddenly complained of chest pain. Miss Lily Evans was worried, so she asked me to fetch you, Dr. Wu, for a check-up."

Dr. Wu suspected nothing, nodded, and followed Eugene Warren out the door.

But Dr. Wu walked slowly, and Eugene Warren, anxious, scooped him up and ran.

When Dr. Wu entered the house, he saw Belle's eyes swollen from crying, April wiping her tears, and the whole room shrouded in gloom. He immediately realized Margaret Evans's sudden chest pain was just a cover—the real victim was Belle.

Dr. Wu was close to Lily Evans's family, and though he understood what was happening, he didn't ask questions. He quietly took Belle's pulse and prescribed medicine.

"Dr. Wu, is Belle's condition serious?" Lily Evans followed him to the next room to write the prescription.

Dr. Wu sighed. "She fell into cold water on a night like this—her lungs may be injured. She'll need careful nursing, or it could leave lasting harm."

Lily Evans nodded. "We'll take good care of her." She lowered her voice, "Dr. Wu, could you prepare a decoction to prevent pregnancy?"

Belle had already suffered enough—Lily Evans was determined to minimize the harm. If this ordeal resulted in a child, it would be unbearable.

Dr. Wu paused, then his suspicions were confirmed. He nodded, "Of course, Lily. You're thoughtful and careful—this medicine is necessary. Don't worry, if anyone asks, I'll say your mother had chest pains. Not a word about tonight will leave this house."

Lily Evans nodded, but her heart was still anxious.

She trusted Dr. Wu to keep quiet, and knew Eugene Warren, Lucky, and April wouldn't gossip. But Ernie Lee...

Lily Evans knew a bit about Ernie Lee—he was April's uncle, poor and cunning, and no woman wanted to marry him. Belle was her most capable maid, and Ernie Lee, having set his sights on her, wouldn't let go easily. He'd surely try to force Belle into marriage.

As a modern woman, Lily Evans didn't believe a woman had to marry the man who wronged her. She would never force Belle to marry Ernie Lee for the sake of reputation or chastity.

But she couldn't be sure what Belle, raised in this ancient world, was thinking.