Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband Chapter 1474: Mother or Child

Hayden Crawford's brow immediately furrowed. "What? Willow has already taken heart blood twice. Is she trying to kill herself? If she takes it a third time, she will die!"

Hayden could not comprehend that his beloved daughter had made such a momentous decision behind their backs, resolute and without discussion.

Serena Sterling gazed at her daughter. "Let's carry Willow upstairs first. I'll apply the acupuncture."

"Okay."

...

Suddenly awakening, Willow Crawford sat bolt upright in bed, still calling out, "Morgan Ashworth!"

Upon looking around, she realized she was no longer with Morgan; she had returned to her own home.

Moments before, she had been plagued by a nightmare, envisioning Morgan submerged in a pool of blood, lifeless.

No.

That was not merely a dream.

Morgan had indeed been targeted by a poison attack and, as it stood, might still be unconscious.

Willow immediately discarded the quilt, intending to rise from the bed. However, the instant her feet touched the ground, an overwhelming weakness overtook her, causing her to collapse onto the plush carpet.

At that precise moment, a faint ache radiated from her abdomen. She placed her small hand upon her belly, where their child resided.

It seemed misfortunes were now piling upon misfortunes.

"Willow, you are awake. Why are you sitting on the ground?" Serena entered at that juncture, carrying a bowl of herbal concoction, and quickly assisted Willow to her feet.

Willow grasped Serena's hand tightly. "Mommy, do you know everything?"

While the doctors remained mystified by her condition, her mommy's medical expertise could easily discern her current state.

Serena nodded. "Yes, Willow, you have the right to make choices about your life, but you should not have kept this from Daddy and Mommy."

Willow's fair eyes immediately welled up with tears; a profound sense of guilt washed over her. Her parents had raised her with such care, and she hadn't even had the chance to repay their kindness, only managing to cause them distress.

"Mommy, I am so sorry."

"Willow, you have not let Daddy and Mommy down; you have let yourself down. You chose to bear such a significant burden all alone. You should have confided in us; we would have supported you."

Tears streamed down Willow's cheeks. She had endured immense pain and self-imposed restraint during this period, feeling as though she had disappointed everyone. Her attempts to improve the situation only seemed to exacerbate it. She felt like a failure, despising her powerlessness in that moment.

Willow reached out to embrace Serena, her voice choked with emotion. "Mommy, I feel so unwell. I truly don't know what to do. I harmed Morgan, and I desperately want to save him. I was prepared to make any sacrifice, but... I am pregnant. This is Morgan's and my first child, and I cannot bear to lose him..."

Serena gently stroked Willow's back. As a mother, she understood her daughter's anguish intimately. She recalled facing a similar dilemma during her own pregnancy, returning with a triplet pregnancy to Alani and being separated from Hayden Crawford.

She knew the profound pain such a situation entailed, never imagining her daughter would endure such agony.

"Willow, it is alright. Mommy will always be with you, and Mommy will help you."

"Mommy, how is Morgan? He was unconscious when I left. I want to see him now."

"I have already dispatched someone to check on Morgan. He is not in immediate danger. With your two extractions of heart blood, he is holding on. However, without the third extraction, he will still perish."

"Mommy, what are we waiting for? Quickly take my heart blood—I want to save him!"

"Willow, have you made your decision?"

Willow nodded vehemently. "Yes, I have decided. If he dies, there will be no point for the baby and me to live."

Serena had anticipated that Willow would willingly sacrifice her life for Morgan Ashworth.

"Very well, I will assist you. As for the child within your womb..."

This child.

Willow felt an intense reluctance to let go, her hand lingering on her abdomen, caressing it with a deep sense of nostalgia. Parting with this child caused her heart considerable pain.

At that precise moment, Serena spoke. "Willow, I can save this child."

What?

Willow froze, her eyes wide. "Mommy, are you serious? My baby can be born safely?"

Serena nodded. "Yes, I can ensure this child's safe delivery. However, I can no longer protect you, or rather, I can save you, but once the third heart blood extraction is performed, I must immediately induce an abortion, and this child cannot be kept."

"Willow, do you comprehend Mommy's meaning? You must make another choice now—between the child and yourself, you can only select one."

Serena possessed a method, but between the mother and the child, she could only safeguard one; the outcome hinged on Willow's decision.

Without a moment's hesitation, Willow replied instantly, "Mommy, I want to keep this child."

"But your life..."

"Mommy, as long as Morgan and the baby can live healthily and peacefully in this world, I will be content. Conversely, if either of them departs from me, my happiness will be nonexistent for the remainder of my life. My love for them surpasses my own existence."

Serena had already anticipated Willow’s decision, thus she offered a gentle nod, responding, "Alright."

"I wish to return and see Morgan."

Serena, however, shook her head. "No."

"Why is that?"

"Your physical condition is no longer conducive to movement. From this moment until the delivery, you must remain within the underground laboratory, sustained by medicinal herbs. This period is expected to be exceedingly painful."

Although Willow had braced herself mentally, her attachment to Morgan was too profound to relinquish easily. Hence, she pleaded, "Mommy, I will heed your words and refrain from venturing out. Yet, I earnestly desire to see Morgan just one final time. Is that permissible?"

Ultimately, she was Serena’s most cherished daughter, and softening, Serena acquiesced, "Very well, I shall escort you."

...

Willow was reunited with Morgan’s presence. Within the chamber, Morgan lay quietly upon the bed.

"Mommy, why has he not yet awakened? He..."

Serena offered a reassuring gaze. "Fear not, Willow, I have already administered acupuncture, and he shall awaken shortly."

That is good news.

Willow took a seat beside the bed, extending her hand to delicately caress his handsome features. Her fingertips traced a path from his forehead, over his eyes, down his nose, and to his lips, meticulously exploring every contour without omission.

Only heaven comprehends the depth of her love for him, the intensity of her attachment, and her profound reluctance to part ways.

This cherished moment, their final encounter, was steeped in melancholy. "My dearest, I bear joyous tidings for you. You will recover, and furthermore, our baby will be born without issue. All will ultimately improve, will it not?"

Willow lay upon him, allowing her tears to moisten his face. "However, I must depart from you eternally. You both must remember me always. Should you forget me, I shall be exceedingly displeased."