The Substitute Bride

The hospital room was quiet and gloomy, much like Holley appeared to be.

She sat on the bed with her head lowered. It seemed that losing her child had made her lose all hope.

It hurt Black to see Holley like this, and naturally, he blamed himself. To make up for what he thought was his fault, he fulfilled Holley's every want and need.

But now, three days had passed, and Holley still hadn't improved. Instead, she had become even more unhinged. She kept asking Black where their child was.

"Black, is our child still alive?" she asked upon waking up. Her eyes shone with anticipation as she spoke.

Black was speechless. He knew that she was making things up, probably to cope with the trauma of losing her child, but he had never imagined that it would come to this.

"Holley, don't feel sad. Our first child is gone, I know, but we're still young. We still have plenty of chances. Don't torture yourself over something that isn't even your fault," Black tried to comfort Holley while he was also hurting just the same.

He couldn't show her that he was just as sad and just as empty. No one else could comfort her and calm her down.

"No, we will never have another child. Does your dad know that our child is gone? Has he told you to leave me?" Holley's voice cracked.

All of a sudden, tears began streaming down her face. The sight filled Black with a feeling of indescribable sorrow.

He sat next to her and held her tightly in his arms. He said, softly, "Don't worry. My dad has accepted the sad fact, and he has asked me to take good care of you!"

"Really?" Holley asked, uncertain.

She was taking a huge risk with this strategy so that she could marry Black. But much to her dismay, Rex had accepted her. All this had been for nothing.

"It's true. I would never lie to you. My dad has just been quite busy. Otherwise, he would have come to visit you. Enough of these negative thoughts, okay?" Black reassured Holley and looked at her with a gentle smile.

Holley, looking relieved, sighed, and remained in Black's embrace.

A fleeting look of frustration appeared on Black's face.

you pay me more."

Holley was growing frustrated with Dr. Liu, but she thought it was wise to keep quiet.

Seeing Holley's livid face greatly delighted Dr. Liu. He continued to say, "Do you think that I don't know who Black is? He's the only son of Rex, the Hu Group's boss. I know where to find him if the need arises."

Holley tried her hardest to conceal her anger.

"I think I deserve more money, but if you don't want to pay me, I'm not going to force you," Dr. Liu said. It sounded like assurance, but Holley knew that it was a threat. If she wanted her plan to succeed, she needed to get on his good side.

"Of course, I'm going to keep my end of the bargain. Without you, I wouldn't have made it!" Holley quickly responded. He was threatening her, and so she had to make him a promise.

"That's good to hear. If you're generous to me, I will be kinder to you," Dr. Liu responded, looking at Holley with obvious amusement.

Holley had no other choice but to hide her hatred for the doctor. Suddenly, something occurred to her. She told the man, "Dr. Liu, we were classmates in college. I hope you keep this information to yourself for the moment."

Holley's request was a sincere one. Thanks to the promising reward, Dr. Liu instantly nodded his agreement.

"If you pay me enough, you'll have nothing to worry about," Dr. Liu said right before he turned around and walked out of the room.