Ayla smiled at him. “Lucas, I'm fine. Anyway, I need to go. I have to go back to work now. She couldn't afford to stay here for too long. More importantly, she didn't want to cause an even bigger misunderstanding. “Lala, is he really worth all this effort?” Lucas just couldn't understand her. This woman had been with him for more than two years, and still, he couldn't figure out what she was thinking most of the time. Perhaps he never could. Ayla took a deep breath. “Lucas, you need to know that I'm doing this for myself, not for Brian. Your question makes no sense. It was true. She did it all for herself, and she wouldn't change any of it for Brian's sake. If everything was predetermined to. happen, then she would start from square one. "In that case, don't push yourself too hard. And don't let anyone bully you, you hear?". Lucas had already known her decision, but he still couldn't change her mind. He had no other choice but to let her do whatever. she wanted. Ayla nodded firmly. "I know, Lucas. Please don't go against Mr. Clark. I doubt you can defeat him. And don't worry! He won't do anything to me. “Lala, what are you going to do if he dies?". If Lucas were to enact his revenge, he wanted to make sure that she wouldn't suffer in the process. And if she were happy with Brian, he might even toss out the idea of vengeance. His words left Ayla stunned. "What do you mean by that, Lucas? Why do you think he'll die? Are you planning to do something to him?”. The sound of her anxious voice and sight of concern in her eyes were like daggers to Lucas’ heart. It was just a hypothetical. question, and she had already gotten so anxious about it. Then, she was probably lying if she said that she didn't love Brian anymore. Lucas forced a smile. "I'm just kidding, Lala. It might be true. He was probably just joking, but she took it seriously. Upon hearing that he was jesting, Ayla breathed a sigh of relief. "I need to go, Lucas. He wasn't planning to delay her any longer because he knew that she was too busy with work lately. The newspapers were full of reports about her designs, and the grand fashion show. Those were probably the results of her efforts. As soon as Ayla opened the door, someone slapped her face before she could even react

Haley hit her so har d that she staggered back several steps. Fortunately, Lucas was there to keep her from falling. Although Haley didn't make a scene last night, she had been waiting ou tside the room for the entire night. She wasn't gracious enough to let her man stay in the same room as another wo man. Ayla could taste blood on her lips. That slap made her feel like her face wa s burning, but she didn't feel angry abou t it. She just looked at Haley and saw how . haggard an d pale this woman was. Perhaps she felt restless due to the fact t hat Ayla was sleeping in the same room as L ucas last night. "Haley, why the hell did you . sla p h er?" . Lucas shouted at Haley as he held Aylain his arms. "Why can't I ? That bitch deserves it!" . Haley frowned, c overing her bell y with one hand. Y O u. Lucas wanted to slap her back, but his ha nd froze in midair. "If you want to hit me for the sake of that bitch, then do it!" . Hale y gro wled. "If you have the balls to do it, then hit me so hard that I'll have a miscarriage. And wh en that happens, you can finally live a happy . life with y our bitch!" she added. Her snide remarks ange red him so much that h e carried out the slap. With nothing to s upport her, Haley fell to the floor. “Lucas! You did n't have to do that. I'm okay. Ayla never expect ed that he would a ctually hit Haley. “Lala, you shouldn't let people trample on you like that. She hit you for no reason. ! w on't let anyone harm you from right under my . nose, because I love you so much, and I'm willing to do anything for you. Lucas held Ayla. He ju st witnessed her gett ing slapped by Haley. How could he just stand there and do noth ing?As Ayla wiped the blood from her lips using the back of her hand, she said, "I'm . fi ne . After speaking , she wanted to help Haley up. But then, she noticed that her fa ce was ghastly pale, and there wa s blood flowing between her legs. "Lucas, M iss Green, she's. Ayla was ho rrified by w hat she saw. "Take her to the hospital at once! " she urged Lucas. Quickly, he picked Haley up and ran downst airs as fast as he could. Upon their arriva l at the hospital, Haley was brought to the . emergency room, w hile Lucas and Ay la waited outside. "Lucas, do y ou think she 'll be okay?” . Feeling helpless, he rubbed his temples. H e was conflicted about how he should feel right now. He wasn't even sure whether he

wanted to keep that b aby or not. Ayla looked at him, and a pologized, "I'm sorry, Lu cas This is all my fault. If it weren't for me, things wouldn't have turned out like this. If harm befalls that child i n her womb, I will resent mys elf for the rest of my life. "Stop it, La la. lt's not your fault. Lucas cares sed her swo llen cheek. Haley's palm print was sti ll apparent on I her face, so he felt sorry for her. Ayla also touch ed her face and smiled faintly. At the same time, the corners of her mou th twitched due to the pain. The operation lasted around two hours, and they waited . outside until the red ligh t turned off. "Doctor, how is she?" Lucas asked as he he ld the doctor's hand. "I'm sorry, Mr. C ollins. We couldn' t save the baby. Regret was evident o n the doctor's face as he shook his head. Upon hearing that the baby didn't survive, Ayla wee taken aback. "Lala. " L ucas held her arm. “Lala, are you okay?" 'I'm fine. Of course, she was fine. But she ju st witnessed the loss of a life, an d it reminded her of her own child. "Stay here with Miss G reen. I'm going to buy some food," said Ayla. "Lala, I'lljust ask someone else to do it. Yo u also need to rest. I'll ask one of the nurse s to give you a cold compress for your face. Her face was so swol len, so she shouldn't go outside right now . "No, I'm really f ine. I'll be back soon. Don't worry. In all honesty, Ayla d idn't feel any pain co ming from her face now. She then went out of the hospital and bought some chicken porridge; one for Haley, and the other one was for Lucas. "This one is for you, Lucas. When Miss G reen wakes up, tell her to have some of this porridge. She needs to replenish the . nutrients in her body and get plenty of res t. Also, you need to talk to her properly, a nd don't do anything to make her upset!" she . ad vis ed. She was well aware of the fact that any woman would be heartb roken at the loss of her child. Without sayi ng anything, Lucas nodded. Ayla didn't say much after that. Moments lat er, she left the ward