Esmond's POV
Seeing Hazel's downcast and effort to hide her sadness, I was reminded of my own careful facade in front of Camellia. A wave of sympathy washed over me.
I softened my tone and said, "Your top priority now is to safely deliver the baby. I won't treat you unfairly."
Initially, upon learning of Hazel's pregnancy, I had no intention of keeping the child.
But when I took her to the hospital for an abortion, the doctor said her thin uterine lining made the procedure risky, prone to heavy bleeding, so he refused to operate. That's how the child came to stay.
Moreover, every time I was rejected by Camellia, it was Hazel who comforted me.
Gradually, my attitude toward Hazel and the child in her womb changed significantly.
Hazel suddenly looked up, tears still in her eyes, lookin
