Chapter 1070:
However, the violence escalated over time. Today, they had fought about his infidelity, revealed through hotel records. When Talia threatened to end their engagement, he assaulted her to the point of unconsciousness.
In a desperate moment before blacking out, Talia managed to send the message to Pierre. By the time she regained consciousness, her fiancé had placated her once more.
Pierre felt as though he was trapped in a soap opera. He remarked, “Domestic violence is never just a one-time thing. Why do you still think he won’t do it again?”
Talia sighed. “But what else can I do? I’m almost four months pregnant.”
“You have options,” Pierre replied softly. “Ending the pregnancy is one.”
Talia fell silent. After a pause, she laughed bitterly. “Pierre, it’s not just about the baby. I’m nearing thirty. My parents are getting older. I don’t want to add to their worries.”
Pierre felt she was holding back more. It seemed she was frightened of something she couldn’t express. Moved by their past connection, he wanted to protect her but respected her autonomy. “If he harms you again, tell me immediately.”
Talia sobbed quietly. “Pierre, please stay out of this. I regret reaching out, but I was terrified and alone.” After the call ended, Pierre attempted to resume his daily tasks as if nothing had transpired.
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Gemma, sensing his distress, asked, “Is your friend in serious trouble?”
“It’s not severe,” Pierre replied, embracing Gemma and closing his eyes.noveldrama
Gemma toyed with the buttons on his pajamas. “Then why do you seem so troubled? Who is this friend?”
Pierre’s expression tightened. Revealing the truth would upset Gemma and might lead her to demand he not get involved. He opted for a vague response. “Just an old classmate I lost touch with years ago.”
Gemma pulled back and picked up a card from the bedside table. “I’m not sure how else to help, but money can fix a lot of issues. There’s thirty million on this card. Use it if it’s necessary.”
Pierre knew Gemma wanted to help, but he couldn’t bring himself to accept the money. He gently placed the card back, offering an excuse to decline. “I’ll let you know if I need anything.”
Inside the table drawer sat a wooden amulet. Pierre glanced at it casually and asked, “What’s this?”
Gemma’s eyes flickered toward it. “It was a gift from Sheila,” she explained softly. “I’ve always been sick and frail, and she felt bad for me and got it from a pastor.” As Gemma spoke, her voice carried a genuine sadness. “I don’t know what happened to her family. After she quit her job, I lost all contact with her. I wanted to visit, but I couldn’t even find her address.”
Pierre understood the unspoken truth—both Sheila and her grandson were dead. Corey must have kept this news from Gemma to spare her feelings.
Pierre scoffed inwardly. A charm blessed by a pastor? It couldn’t even protect its owner—how could it protect Gemma? To him, it was nothing but a scam, a ploy to make money.
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