Chapter 1

"I've just graduated, and now you're asking me to marry a pregnant woman? Why should I agree to that? I get that you feel you owe Elijah, but it's not fair to ask me to pay for it," exclaimed the young man in white, his brow furrowed in frustration.

The Grayson residence's spacious living room was filled with people. Across from the young man sat a middle-aged couple. The older man wore a suit, while the woman was dressed in a white dress. Both of them exuded an extraordinary temperament.

"How dare you speak to us like that? You're not a child anymore. Is this what we taught you all these years?" The man slammed his palm down on the armrest of the mahogany couch. His gaze appeared even more stern against the backdrop of the family portrait hanging behind him.

Although he didn't raise his voice, the young man instinctively drew back a little.

"Well, I won't marry her. You can't force this on me..." The young man felt aggrieved, and his eyes reddened.

He couldn't be blamed for feeling it was unfair. After all, who could accept such a request?

Years ago, the Grayson family's eldest son, Elijah Grayson, had been kidnapped. Recently, they had finally found him, but fate had been cruel—he had passed away not long after coming back.

On his deathbed, Elijah had pleaded with his parents, worried about his wife's struggles at home. She was always getting scolded by her in-laws. With him gone, his wife and daughter would have a hard life, especially with another baby on the way.

Thus, Elijah had begged his parents to get his wife married to one of his unmarried brothers, hoping it would provide her and their children with a secure place in the family.

The Grayson couple had looked at their unfortunate eldest son, unable to refuse his request. Only after they nodded had Elijah finally breathed his last.

No matter how difficult it was, the couple had taken Elijah's dying wish to heart. They had sent a driver to bring Elijah's wife to their house in Haywood and had begun discussing who among their sons would take on this responsibility.

The Graysons had four children. The eldest, Elijah, had been kidnapped and sold to a rural family. Tragically, he had passed away at a young age due to illness.

The second son, Edward Grayson, had recently returned from abroad. He was a young counselor. Now, that he was back in the country, he mostly lived there.

The third son, Yaeger Grayson, was fresh out of university. He had been a top student and had just started his first job.

Then there was Sophie Grayson, their cherished daughter. Adored by the entire family, she was the apple of their eyes.

The Graysons also had an adopted daughter, Felicia Zuckerson, who was out of town and couldn't make it back home.

After considering their options, they had decided that Yaeger was the most suitable candidate to fulfill Elijah's dying wish. So, they had brought up the matter with him.

"Yaeger, I know this is a lot to ask," his mother, Sapphire Thorne, said. "But this was Elijah's last wish. I know you're a good son. You'd want to let your brother rest in peace, wouldn't you?"

Thinking of her deceased eldest son, Sapphire's eyes reddened. She had fallen ill from grief over the past few days and had only just recovered today.

Although Yaeger respected his parents, he struggled with the idea of marrying someone he didn't love. Elijah's wife was pregnant and already had a daughter. Wouldn't that make him a laughingstock in the eyes of others?

"Why me? Why can't Edward do it? He's older than me. Shouldn't he be the one to get married first?"

Edward sat straight, his demeanor impeccable even at home. The only thing hinting at any casualness was the two buttons undone on his shirt.

Before Edward could respond to Yaeger, their father, Luca Grayson, interjected with a disapproving frown.

"Edward is currently advancing in his career and needs a partner who can support him in that regard. If he were the more suitable choice, why would we be asking you? Your brother has a career in the government sector, while you do not. Do you understand?"

Luca had high expectations for Edward, their most promising child. He was also the favorite of his grandfather, Xavier Grayson.

Yaeger couldn't help but feel indignant. It was the 1980s, not ancient times. Young people were supposed to marry for love. How had he ended up in an arranged marriage?

"Dad, how can you do this? She grew up in the countryside and probably knows nothing. You're ruining Yaeger's life by forcing him to marry her!" Sophie jumped in, speaking up for Yaeger.

Although they sympathized with Elijah's plight, they hadn't grown up with him and hadn't shared a close bond. Forcing Yaeger to fulfill Elijah's dying wish seemed unfair.

"This doesn't concern you, Sophie. Stay out of it," Luca retorted.

Although Luca usually spoiled his youngest daughter, he was unyielding when it came to serious matters.

Just as Yaeger was about to argue further, the sound of a car pulling up outside interrupted him. He knew instantly that Elijah's wife from the countryside had arrived. He pressed his lips together in frustration.

Luca shot Yaeger a warning glance before leading the family outside to welcome Elijah's wife, Melanie Smith.

Melanie stepped out of the car in a daze. Just months ago, she had finally saved up a seven-figure bank balance and bought a villa after 30 years of hard work. She had celebrated with a few glasses of wine and gone to sleep, and she woke up and found herself in the body of someone from the impoverished 1980s.

Melanie shared the same name as the original owner of the body she was in now, and she had also discovered the latter's memories. The original Melanie from the 1980s was a pitiful woman who had been bullied by her in-laws. Her body bore countless scars from their mistreatment.

After Elijah had passed away, Melanie had been left alone with their daughter, Nellie Grayson. She had thought about running away, but the original Melanie's memories made her hesitate.

Her in-laws had been cruel even while her husband had been alive. Now that he was gone, she knew their situation would only worsen.

Going back to her own family wasn't an option either, as they offered no support. She had a weak mother, an abusive father, an incompetent brother, and a selfish sister.

Left with no other choice, Melanie had decided to go along with Elijah's plan. Thus, when the Grayson family had sent a car to fetch her and Nellie, she had gotten in without hesitation.

Now, as the car door opened, Melanie stepped out, with Nellie timidly following behind.

Sophie had initially looked down on them, expecting Melanie to be an uneducated country woman with plain looks, dark skin, and an unpresentable appearance.

However, she was stunned when she saw Melanie.

Chapter 2

Although Melanie's clothes were patched and worn, her face was strikingly beautiful.

It wasn't just Sophie who was caught off guard—even the usually calm and composed Edward seemed momentarily stunned, as though something had crossed his mind.

Melanie's beauty was the kind that stood out in a crowd and couldn't be overshadowed, even by drab labor clothes.

Yaeger was clearly surprised by her appearance as well. Who would have expected her to be so beautiful?

Unlike their children, Luca and Sapphire didn't dwell on Melanie's appearance. They greeted her warmly.

"You must be Melanie. I'm sure it was a tiring journey. Come in and make yourself at home," Luca said with a smile.

Sapphire greeted Melanie with a brief nod, then turned her attention to Nellie, her granddaughter.

Melanie nodded and said in a refined accent, "We aren't too tired. It was the driver who had the tough job, coming all this way to pick us up."

With that, they all made their way inside. The Grayson residence featured a two-story house, expanded from their original home.

Luca held a high position, and Sapphire wasn't an ordinary housewife. In the impoverished 1980s, they were considered a wealthy family.

Melanie was satisfied with her new surroundings. Although she wasn't particularly interested in marriage, she saw it as a temporary arrangement. Once she was settled, she could divorce and leave with Nellie.

For now, she was curious about the husband the Graysons had chosen for her.

Once inside, Melanie sat down on the couch with Nellie beside her, while the rest of the Grayson family took their seats around them.

Sapphire sat close to Nellie, affectionately teasing her.

Elijah had had a difficult life. After being kidnapped and sold to a rural family, he had been treated well at first. But once his adoptive parents had had a son of their own, he had become an unwanted burden.

His first wife had run off after giving birth to their daughter. Later, he had scraped together enough money by working odd jobs illegally.

Eventually, he had married Melanie, who had taken on the role of Nellie's stepmother. Whether she had been kind to Nellie was hard to say.

After exchanging some pleasantries, Luca got straight to the point. "Melanie, we know you've been through a lot in the countryside. Even though Elijah is gone, you're part of this family now. This family will stand by you. No one will bully you or your children. We'll look after you."

Luca glanced at Yaeger, then turned back to Melanie and asked, "You're aware of Elijah's final wishes, right?"

Melanie nodded, maintaining a respectful distance. She didn't show a hint of fear even when talking to someone as influential as Luca.

Luca was impressed by her composure. It seemed Elijah had chosen a remarkable woman as his wife. Her courage alone surpassed that of many young women from the countryside.

"Since you're aware of his wishes, let's get straight to it. This is my third son, Yaeger. He's just graduated and secured a stable job. He's a suitable match for you. Once you two are married, you can build a happy life together. He's a bit headstrong, but he's a good man," Luca said, clearly set on the arrangement.

Melanie's expression remained unchanged as she glanced over at Yaeger.

As their eyes met, Yaeger felt a bit shy under her assessing stare. Although she was more beautiful than he had expected, it wasn't enough to change his mind.

Summoning his courage, he spoke up. "Dad, I haven't agreed to this!"

Melanie lowered her gaze, silently crossing Yaeger off as an option. He was too young and reckless. She wanted a father figure for her child—someone who could provide the paternal love Nellie deserved.

Yaeger clearly wasn't fit for that role. He was still a child himself. How could he be expected to help her take care of Nellie?

As for the baby she was carrying, she had no intention of keeping it.

The countryside tended to be rife with rumors, and there were no clinics there that met proper medical standards.

Now that she was in Haywood, she planned to find an opportunity to abort the baby. After all, this baby was never meant to be born...

Melanie's gaze shifted from Yaeger to Edward, whose composed presence seemed much more appealing. He looked older than Yaeger, exuding the charm of a mature man.

Edward noticed her gaze and looked up, their eyes meeting. His eyes widened in surprise. She was the woman he had been searching for.

After a moment's deliberation, Melanie spoke up. "Luca, if Yaeger doesn't want to, then let's leave it. Marriage shouldn't be forced. Besides, he doesn't seem suitable for me. He's not mature enough. But his brother seems like a better match. Could you arrange for me to marry him instead?"

Melanie wasn't shy at all. From what she could see, Edward was much more reliable than Yaeger. If she had to marry someone, she wanted a compatible partner.

The Grayson family fell into a stunned silence, looking at Melanie in disbelief.

Who did she think she was? Yaeger was already more than she deserved. She was just a country bumpkin. If it hadn't been for Elijah's sake, she wouldn't have the chance to pick and choose.

Sophie couldn't hold back any longer. This country bumpkin had not only dismissed Yaeger but had also set her sights on Edward. How could she even think she was worthy of him?

"Stop dreaming! Do you even know who Edward is? He's way out of your league."

Sophie had always looked up to Edward as a role model and admired him. Over the years, many women had liked him, but he had never shown interest in any of them. If he married a country bumpkin like Melanie, wouldn't he just become a laughingstock?

Melanie frowned slightly. She knew the Graysons weren't just any family, but she hadn't expected their son to be a public official. Judging by Sophie's reaction, Edward's position must be quite high.

She sighed to herself. If that were the case, maybe it would be better for her to stay single. As long as she had the Grayson family's support, she wouldn't have to suffer. But Nellie would grow up without a father's love, which could inevitably affect her emotionally.

Just as Melanie was about to voice her thoughts, Edward spoke up. "I'm willing."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell into stunned silence once more. Even the usually composed Luca was visibly anxious.

"Edward, you—"

Edward stood up and spoke in a gentle tone, making it sound polite even as he interrupted his father. "Dad, I'm already 26 years old. I'm of age to marry, and even my superiors have commented on it. Getting married would be beneficial for me as well. Yaeger is still young and may not be ready for marriage. If that's the case, I don't mind taking his place."

Edward's explanation was well-reasoned and logical, leaving Luca and the others with little to say in response.

Yaeger, who had felt aggrieved just moments before, was now overwhelmed by a wave of complicated emotions. He knew how high Edward's standards were. If Edward had agreed to marry this country bumpkin, it was likely for his sake.

Realizing this, Yaeger's eyes filled with tears.

Chapter 3

Luca was clearly displeased, but he couldn't express it directly in front of Melanie.

Melanie couldn't help but glance at Edward a bit longer, surprised by his decisive response. The more she looked at him, the more he seemed oddly familiar, as if they had met somewhere before.

But Edward remained indifferent, as if she were a mere stranger and not the woman he had just agreed to marry.

"It's getting late. Melanie and Nellie must be hungry by now. We have a reservation at Luxe Restaurant. Let's go eat," Luca said, wanting to shift away from this conversation.

Since it hadn't been finalized yet, there was still room to maneuver. They could discuss it more after lunch.

Melanie was indeed hungry. Her stingy in-laws had practically celebrated her leaving. Her mother had secretly given her two eggs at the village entrance; she and Nellie had each eaten one in the car.

Melanie stood up, with Nellie tightly grasping her hand.

Just as they were about to leave, Sophie couldn't hold back and shouted, "Mom, look at what they're wearing! I'm not going to a restaurant with them. People will think they're beggars!"

Sapphire turned and realized that Melanie's and Nellie's clothes were indeed too shabby. In her haste earlier, she had forgotten the clothes she had prepared for them beforehand.

"Melanie, come with me. Let's change clothes before we go," Sapphire said, leading the mother-daughter duo to a room.

The clothes Sapphire had bought weren't a perfect fit, but they were good enough. Melanie thanked her sincerely from the bottom of her heart.

As they stepped out of the house, the neighbors recognized the Grayson family and curiously stared at Melanie and Nellie.

"Sapphire, is this your eldest son's wife and daughter?"

The happenings in the Grayson family had become the talk of the neighborhood. The neighbors couldn't help but sneak glances at Melanie and Nellie.

Sapphire nodded and quickly walked away.

Since there were too many people to fit in the car, they decided to walk to Luxe Restaurant, which was only a five-minute walk from the neighborhood.

Once they arrived at the restaurant, Luca let Melanie order first. She picked three dishes she liked without hesitation.

Sophie was furious and glared at Melanie, while Yaeger looked worried, glancing at Melanie and then at Edward.

Only Edward remained calm and unaffected, appearing as though marrying a country bumpkin with a child was not beneath him.

Just as they were eating, Sophie noticed someone entering the restaurant. It was Gabrielle Graham, a young woman from the neighborhood who worked as an interpreter. Although she had only just started her career, she had a promising future ahead.

Gabrielle had harbored feelings for Edward since childhood and was still unmarried. If Edward wouldn't even consider someone like Gabrielle, what made Melanie so special?

Disregarding the fact that it was a family gathering, Sophie called out to Gabrielle. "Gabrielle, come join us for lunch."

Gabrielle, who was alone, smiled and walked over when Sophie called her. However, her expression changed slightly when she saw Melanie. "Thank you, but I shouldn't intrude on your family gathering."

Being perceptive, Gabrielle could tell they were having a welcome lunch with Elijah's wife and daughter.

"Oh, don't be shy. You're practically family." Sophie pulled her over, dragging a chair next to Edward and making her sit down.

As Gabrielle sat down next to Edward, her smile widened. She turned to Luca and Sapphire and said, "Mr. and Mrs. Grayson, I hope I'm not intruding."

Luca and Sapphire simply nodded, not saying much in response.

Gabrielle picked up her cutlery and casually took some food, pondering how to strike up a conversation with Edward.

However, Edward spoke first. "Dad, we shouldn't delay the wedding. It's best to set it within the next couple of days. I might be called out of town next week."

Gabrielle was stunned and looked at Sophie beside her. "Sophie, who's getting married?"

With a grimace, Sophie whispered, "Who else could it be? Edward's lost his mind. He's marrying this country bumpkin."

Gabrielle was shocked, and her voice involuntarily grew louder. "What?"

All eyes turned to Gabrielle, but she was too upset to care. She tugged at Edward's sleeve and asked, "Edward, are you getting married?"

Edward subtly dodged her touch and nodded.

Gabrielle's face turned pale. She had waited for him all these years. If Edward were marrying a woman more outstanding than her, she could have accepted it. But why this country bumpkin?

"You can't do this. You hold a high position, and your superiors value you. You need to choose your wife carefully."

Melanie raised her eyebrows. It seemed like the Graysons weren't the only ones who looked down on her; even outsiders dismissed her as well.

"Gabrielle, this is our family matter," Edward said with a faint smile, almost as if it were permanently set on his face. His polite tone carried a subtle reminder for Gabrielle not to overstep her boundaries.

Gabrielle's face grew increasingly pale, realizing she had crossed the line. "But—"

Before she could continue, Edward cut her off. "Mom, could you start preparing for the wedding? I know it's a lot, but please help us arrange it."

Edward's words carried an indisputable tone, and Sapphire subconsciously nodded in agreement. When she regained her senses, she looked perplexed.

Gabrielle looked at Edward, her eyes brimming with tears. She excused herself and hurried out of the restaurant.

Melanie watched the scene unfold with a frown. It seemed her future husband had quite a few admirers. He had run into one even at a simple lunch. Who knew how many more were out there? If that was the case, perhaps it would be better not to marry him at all.

"If Edward feels forced, we don't have to marry. I can raise Nellie on my own," Melanie said. She hadn't come to the Grayson family to cling to them.

Edward didn't respond to her words and instead asked, "Melanie, how far along are you?"

Melanie was taken aback by the random question, but she replied politely, "Three months."

Edward's dark eyes flickered as he contemplated her response, becoming more certain of his speculation.

"No one's forcing me. As Elijah's brother, I should make sure he rests in peace. Once we're married, I'll take care of you and the children."

Melanie nodded, saying nothing more.

After lunch, Melanie and Nellie went into the room Sapphire had arranged for them in the Grayson residence. It had a large bed and a bookshelf filled with picture books for children. Everything had clearly been arranged with care.

Meanwhile, Edward was summoned by his parents to their room.

"Edward, you're being too reckless. I know you want to fulfill Elijah's last wish, but you shouldn't risk your own future," Luca reprimanded.

Sapphire also frowned in disapproval. "Edward, why are you insisting on marrying her?"

Chapter 4

Facing his parents' questioning, Edward dropped a shocking bombshell. "Because the child she's carrying is mine."

Luca and Sapphire were stunned by his words.

"That's nonsense!" Luca retorted. "She just arrived today, and this is the first time you've met her. How could her child be yours? If anyone else heard this, it would be a scandal."

Edward didn't rush to explain. He waited for Luca to calm down before speaking. "Three months ago, I went to the countryside to look into Elijah's background. While I was staying at an inn, I was drugged and ended up sleeping with a woman.

"Although I wasn't fully conscious, I remember her face. I'm certain it was Melanie. When I woke up, she was gone. I searched for her for a long time without any luck and eventually returned to Haywood."

Luca and Sapphire remembered Edward's investigation trip three months ago.

Edward was young, but he was already a counselor and had gained recognition from his superiors after returning from abroad. Many people kept a close eye on him, so it wasn't impossible for someone to frame him while he was out of town.

Fortunately, Melanie had left before they could be discovered, sparing him from a scandal and possible repercussions for his career.

Luca and Sapphire both fell silent. Who could have imagined such a dramatic turn of events?

Now they understood why the usually composed Edward was so eager to marry Melanie. Clearly, there was more to the story.

Since Melanie was carrying Edward's child, it was only right for them to get married.

Although Luca and Sapphire had hoped Edward would marry someone who could support his career, the current situation forced them to change their minds.

Luca was quietly mulling things over. Xavier was about to turn 80 years old, and his health was no longer as good as before. Although he already had great-grandchildren, they were all girls. Nellie was also a girl.

Even though Xavier hadn't said anything, he hoped to have a great-grandson before his time came. So, the family had discreetly consulted a fortune-teller.

The fortune-teller told them that while the Grayson family's fortune ran deep, much of it had been used up by the grandsons' generation. It would be difficult to have boys in the future.

This was why everyone was so eager to have a baby boy, which would surely win Xavier's favor.

Luca thought that if Melanie was carrying a boy, that would be great. Sapphire felt the same.

Edward was their most promising son and had good fortune. There was a chance Melanie really was carrying a baby boy.

"If that's the case, your mom and I have no objections. Let's start preparing for the wedding. We'll try to find out the baby's gender. If it's a boy, your grandpa will be thrilled." Luca compromised but didn't forget to remind Edward.

Edward frowned slightly, somewhat disagreeing, but he didn't say anything.

After the conversation ended, Edward left the room. He saw Yaeger and Sophie waiting in the living room.

Yaeger quickly stood up and said, "Edward, I've thought it over. If marrying her is going to harm your future, then let me marry her instead."

He clenched his fists, obviously feeling this was a significant sacrifice.

Edward looked at Yaeger and patted his shoulder. "No need to worry. It's already settled. From now on, Melanie is your sister-in-law. You don't have to like her, but you do need to show her basic respect. Got it?"

Sophie's face twisted with frustration. "Edward, you'll regret this! Isn't Gabrielle better than her? You're lowering yourself too much! Melanie's just using Elijah's death to guilt us all into taking her in. Why not just keep the baby and kick her out?"

Sophie's voice was loud enough for Melanie to hear from her room. Nellie, still not used to her new surroundings, had been clinging to Melanie.

Nellie was already five years old and could understand their conversation. She could tell Melanie wasn't welcome here. But why? Melanie was such a good mother. Why didn't anyone like her?

The smile on Edward's face disappeared. His gaze suddenly became sharp as he stared at Sophie for a few seconds before saying coldly, "Have we spoiled you too much? Don't let me hear that kind of talk again."

Sophie's face went pale. She felt even more frustrated. She was only trying to save his reputation, but he didn't see it that way.

After Edward finished speaking, he walked straight to Melanie's door. Just as he was about to knock, he paused and buttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. Then, he knocked on the door.

Melanie got up to open the door. She wasn't surprised to see Edward standing there. She had heard what he had just said and felt a bit more favorably toward him. He had handled things thoughtfully and shown her respect.

"Can we talk?" Edward asked.

Melanie nodded and stepped aside to let him in. Edward took a seat on the couch in the corner, while Melanie sat on the bed, facing him.

He cut to the chase and said, "Let's get ready over the next two days. We'll get the marriage license first. I'm free this afternoon, so I'll take you out to buy some things. You can make a list later and see what's missing.

"I have a busy schedule with my work, so I may not always be available, but my family will be here to take care of you and Nellie. If you need anything, you can contact me at any time."

Melanie was beyond pleased. Edward was perfect as her second husband.

She knew she was being a bit selfish, given that the baby she was carrying wasn't Elijah's and marrying Edward would make him a cuckold. But she had to put herself and Nellie first.

"Okay, I got it. By the way, do you have a girlfriend? I realize this might seem sudden. I don't want you to feel forced to go along with this because of Elijah."

Although she wasn't a particularly good person, she had her principles and would never snatch someone else's boyfriend.

Edward shook his head. "No need to worry about that. I don't have a girlfriend. You should rest with Nellie for now. When you wake up, I'll take you out to buy things. In the evening, we'll visit my grandfather. He's eager to meet Nellie."

Melanie nodded. Their conversation didn't sound like one between newlyweds but more like business partners.

After Edward left, Nellie looked up at Melanie with her big eyes. "Mommy, is he going to be my daddy now?"

Melanie nodded. "Yes. How do you feel about him?"

Nellie thought of Elijah, feeling a bit sad. But then she nodded and said, "If you think he's good, then I think he's good too."

Just as they were about to lie down and sleep, there was another knock on the door. Melanie opened it to find Yaeger standing outside.

Chapter 5

Seeing Melanie, Yaeger couldn't help but blush.

Melanie was just too beautiful. Yaeger hadn't had much contact with women before. So, he felt a bit shy when he was alone with her.

"Melanie, I have something to discuss with you. Can I come in?" Yaeger asked.

Melanie didn't have a good impression of Yaeger. Although the original Melanie had come from a humble rural background, his words earlier had been harsh.

"Just say what you need to say here. Nellie and I are about to rest."

Yaeger felt even more awkward now. He looked around and, seeing no one else, finally spoke in a low voice. "I'm sorry for the way I spoke earlier. I've thought about it carefully. I think I'm a more suitable match for you. So, why don't we—"

Before he could finish, Melanie cut him off. Yaeger thought he was making a sacrifice for Edward and was forced to marry Melanie. But why couldn't she choose for herself? Honestly, she had no interest in Yaeger at all.

"No need. I feel more compatible with Edward. If there's nothing else, we're going to rest."

Before Yaeger could respond, Melanie closed the door in his face. Staring at the door, he was dumbfounded.

If he hadn't heard it wrong, there was a hint of disdain in her words and tone. Was she actually implying she had no interest in him?

Realizing this, he felt a surge of anger. What a joke! He was a top student with a degree and a good family background. How could a divorced woman from the countryside with a child dare to look down on him?

Yaeger was boiling with anger, his face darkening.

However, Melanie didn't care at all. She was putting Nellie to sleep.

…

When they woke up, Edward was already waiting outside. "Can we leave now?"

Melanie nodded, looking at the spirited Edward. Were all officials always this energetic? It seemed like they never got tired.

Nellie hadn't fully rested and was still a bit drowsy. Since Sapphire wanted to bond with Nellie, Melanie decided to leave her at home.

Thus, Melanie got into Edward's car. Then, they headed to the department store.

With his current position, Edward had a car and driver provided by his office. However, since this wasn't official business, he decided to drive himself.

Although they were in the car, they were still spotted by the neighbors when they left. Those who knew Edward couldn't help whispering to each other.

"What's going on? Who's that woman beside Edward? She's quite pretty."

Seeing this, Gabrielle felt a sharp pang of jealousy. Why was that country bumpkin sitting in the passenger seat beside Edward? Who did she think she was?

Gabrielle had secretly loved Edward for years, yet he was going to marry a woman from the countryside. It was enough to make her blood boil.

It didn't take long for the news to spread throughout the neighborhood. When they learned Sapphire was planning a wedding, the gossip reached a fever pitch. Everyone was shocked that Edward would marry his late brother's wife.

Gabrielle had hoped Luca and Sapphire could intervene, but it turned out they had agreed to the marriage. She was so angry that her mind went blank, and she collapsed to the ground.

Meanwhile, Melanie was shopping with Edward. He was generous, buying anything she picked out without hesitation.

But Melanie didn't waste his money. She only bought what they needed for the wedding. When they passed a stationery shop, she picked up a small backpack for Nellie.

As the afternoon wore on, Melanie found herself more and more satisfied with Edward.

But just as they were about to continue browsing, Edward's pager buzzed. He checked the message and instantly frowned. Then, he grabbed Melanie's sleeve and led her outside.

"It's my grandpa. He's in the hospital. We need to get there now."

Upon hearing this, Melanie's heart sank. She had heard about Xavier before coming here.

Xavier was no ordinary man. The Grayson family held him in high regard. He was a former commander, revered and respected by all. However, because of his age, his health was deteriorating.

Melanie quickly followed Edward, rushing toward the hospital. When they reached the hospital and entered the ward, it was already crowded with people.

Xavier had an oxygen tube in his nose, and his eyes were a little unfocused. Everyone's expressions were solemn, and many had teary eyes.

Edward's brow furrowed even more; he was clearly worried for his grandfather.

When Xavier saw Melanie, he asked in a hoarse voice, "Is this Elijah's wife?"

Melanie quickly stepped forward. "Yes, Grandpa. It's me."

Just then, Sapphire and the others arrived with Nellie. Luca led Nellie to the bedside.

"Dad, this is Elijah's daughter, your great-granddaughter."

Xavier's eyes brightened at the sight of Nellie, though his expression soon grew dim again. He tried to reach for her hand but didn't have the strength.

Noticing this, Nellie quickly took his hand, sweetly calling out, "Great-Grandpa."

A smile appeared on Xavier's face. But then the monitor beside him began to beep urgently. The medical staff quickly moved in to stabilize him.

The family was ushered out and asked to wait in the hallway.

Xavier's wife, Ophelia Turner, was crying hysterically. She and Xavier had four children—three sons and one daughter. Now, the entire family was gathered in the hallway, making it crowded within the narrow two-meter space.

"Xavier might not make it this time. If he passes away, I don't want to live either," Ophelia said mournfully.

Melanie couldn't help but admire the deep love of the older generation.

Luca looked around at the family gathered in the hallway and suddenly thought of something.

"Mom, Melanie's three months along. We don't know yet if it's a boy or a girl, but Edward can take her for a check-up. If it's a boy, Dad will be thrilled. It might give him strength to hold on."

Everyone knew Xavier's greatest wish was to have a great-grandson, but all his grandchildren only had daughters. If Melanie's baby was a boy, it might give Xavier the strength to pull through.

The members of the Grayson family had varying expressions upon hearing Luca's words, but only Ophelia's eyes lit up with hope.

"Really? That's great. Hurry and take Melanie for the check-up. If your dad finds out he's going to have a great-grandson, he'll definitely hold on."

Melanie was bewildered but soon found herself being guided by Edward to get a check-up.

Ordinarily, gender couldn't be determined this early, but with the Graysons' influence, exceptions could be made. Melanie had her blood drawn and waited silently for the results with Edward.

Edward felt it was inappropriate to do this; they were treating Melanie as if she were a tool. He said apologetically, "I'm sorry. Please bear with us for Grandpa's sake."