Always 7 Kelly refused to go hwith Eric, insisting on staying at the hotel instead. Worried, he offered to stay with her, but she simply scribbled on a paper, "No need. Go back." "Kelly, I know you're angry with me," Eric said, his voice heavy with guilt. "When your incident happened, I drowned myself in alcohol every single day. Regina drugged me, and I mistook her for you. I was furious when I found out and cut all ties with her. But then she cback, saying she was pregnant." He hesitated before continuing, "I told her to get an abortion, but she refused. She gave birth to Faye and raised her alone for two years. It wasn't easy for her." Kelly's fingers curled into fists. Eric actually felt sorry for Regina, who had schemed her way into having his child. "Then Faye got sick," Eric went on. "Regina had a falling-out with Dr. Lynch over the pregnancy and was kicked out of her family. She had nowhere to go, so she cto me, begging for help. At first, I only helped for Faye's sake. Kelly, the child is innocent." He squatted beside the bed, watching her anxiously. She didn't respond. Her mind felt distant, her thoughts drifting elsewhere. "Kelly, I know you've been through hell these past few years," Eric's voice cracked. His hand trembled as he reached for hers, his eyes red with regret. "Letting you go is my biggest regret ... " But it was too late. "What are you going to do aboutand her?" Kelly wrote. The law only allowed one wife. He had to choose-her or Regina. "Kelly, please ... just givestime." He clung to her hand desperately as if afraid she'd slip away. She inhaled deeply and lowered her gaze. With unsteady hands, she wrote, "Don't make this harder. Let's get a divorce." She was retreating. No one could understand the depth of her pain. She had already lost everything. The only thing keeping her going was uncovering the truth behind their kidnapping years ago to let her parents rest in peace. "Kelly ... " Eric's grip tightened, his eyes pleading as he snatched the pen from her fingers. "Don't say that. I just need time. I won't give up on you. You know you're the one I love. But Regina has been withall these years ... and Faye-she's been through so much, too. "I just need tto fix this. Please, Kelly." He was begging. But things weren't as simple as they had been five years ago. His phone rang. He ignored it, but the caller was persistent. Kelly knew it was Regina calling and motioned for Eric to leave. He seemed to understand but refused. "Kelly, I spoke to Jonah Zinn from the psychiatric department. He said your condition is a stress response-psychological trauma. What you need most right now is support. I'll stay with you until you get through this." Kelly withdrew her hand from his grasp, resisting with everything she had. There was a twhen she believed his presence would help her heal, that he would be the remedy to her pain. But now, he and Regina had shattered her last hope. Just then, Eric's phone rang again. This time, the caller was Beau, the hospital director -Regina's father and Eric's current father-in-law. "Eric, Faye has a fever. What's wrong with you? Why aren't you hwith your wife and daughter?" Beau's voice was firm. Not wanting Kelly to hear, Eric stepped aside and lowered his voice, "You must have heard that Dr. Cooper's team is back. Kelly has returned too." There was a heavy silence before Beau spoke again, his tone serious, "Eric, you know how much my daughter has given up for you. She carried Faye, raised her for five years, and stood by your side. Yes, Kelly was your wife once, but you never even had a proper wedding. You need to make the right decision." After a pause, he added, "Your career is taking off. You can't afford distractions. It would be best to settle this quickly-after all, Kelly works at our hospital now." Then, as if sealing the conversation, he reminded Eric, "She has no parents left. You have nothing to worry about. The choice is yours." ... I understand," Eric murmured, glancing over at Kelly. She sat silently and lonely on the bed. Beau was right— Kelly had nothing left. Her parents were gone, her voice had been taken, and she couldn't even defend herself. She had becsomeone others saw as weak- someone easy to push around and disregard. People often said that misfortune struck those already burdened with hardship. That was just how life worked-cold and unforgiving. "Kelly, Faye isn't feeling well. I have to go home," Eric murmured, stepping closer, intending to kiss her forehead. She flinched, her hands tightening into fists. At that moment, she knew Eric had made his choice. He had chosen Regina. "Kelly, we're not naive teenagers anymore. The world doesn't work that way—it's harsh," Eric said, squatting in front of Kelly, his eyes locked on hers. "But trust me, I love you. I'll handle everything. Even if we separate, I'll still look out for you. As long as I'm here, no one will dare to hurt you." Kelly stared at him with disbelief. So that was his plan. He wanted her to sign the divorce papers and stay in his life-as his mistress.
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