NovelOnlineThe next day, Aurelia took Lisbeth to the finest shopping mall in town, and she invited Beverley to join them for the spree.
Beverley, the self-proclaimed 'Shopping Queen’, was always gfor a day of retail therapy.
"Girls, you called the right person for a shopping date. I'm the queen of the mall," Beverley declared with a grin.
Inside a boutique dripping with luxury, Aurelia picked out several outfits for Lisbeth, all with a loose fit to gracefully conceal her
growing baby bump.
Oblivious to Lisbeth's pregnancy, Beverley leaned in and whispered, "Aurelia, these clothes you're choosing don't exactly flaunt
Lisbeth's figure."
Aurelia offered a knowing smile, "Lisbeth prefers something a bit more relaxed. She's not into tight-fitting wear."
"Yes," Lisbeth chimed in, patting her belly, "I've put on a few pounds recently, need something to hide this little tummy."
Beverley glanced at her abdomen, "You do seem to have a little bump there. Perhaps the delicious feasts at Elysium have been too
tempting."
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"Exactly," Lisbeth replied, "I can't help but indulge in a midnight snack every night. How could | not grow a little belly?"
Beverley's eyes then darted to Aurelia, and she asked, "Aurelia, looks like you've got a bit of a tummy too. Have you put on weight
as well?"
Aurelia instinctively adjusted her coat, and at nearly four months pregnant with twins, her belly was beginning to show.
"I've been off work, lounging around at home. It's normal to put on a few winter pounds, you know. We need a bit of extra fat
against the cold. I'll shed it csummer."
Beverley giggled, "True, winter clothes are forgiving. A little extra weight doesn't show."
Their conversation was interrupted when a woman walked in. Beverley's heart skipped a beat at the sight of that familiar face,
"Megan?"
Who let her out of the loony bin?
The Alcott family had kept Megan from venturing outside. She must have snuck out, desperate for a dose of normalcy, aching for a
shopping fix.
Megan's eyes narrowed at the sight of her adversaries, "Aurelia, what a coincidence seeing you here."
What a small world. Enemies always find a way to cross paths.
Aurelia's good mood soured instantly.
"You might as well enjoy your days out. After the Christmas, you'll be back inside," she remarked dryly.
Megan's face turned a sickly pale, "lI won't go back. I'm not insane. Why should | be locked up in an asylum? It's all because of you,
you wretched thing. You won't have a good end."
"Shut your mouth, you vile creature," Beverley exploded from her seat, "Leopold only ever loved Aurelia. He never cared for you. If
it weren't for your despicable tricks, he would never have entered that sham marriage with you."
Megan clenched her teeth, "He had a poor taste, fancying a cheap seductress like her."
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Beverley snorted, "Who on earth let you out, you lunatic? I'm calling the asylum right now to have you locked back up. You need
treatment, maybe daily electroshocks."
"I'm not mad. It's Aurelia who framed me. Because of her, | was put away," Megan seethed with rage, imagining peeling Aurelia's
skin and drawing her blood.
Aurelia refused to let Megan upset her further, "Megan, you better keep it down. This place is crowded. If someone films you and
puts it online, you'll spend your New Year back in the asylum."
Megan's face twitched uncontrollably at the thought. She couldn't bear the idea of returning to that place.
"Aurelia, | just want to know where my child is. Giveback my child, and we'll go our separate ways," Megan bargained.
"Your child is with his father, getting treatment for his autism," Aurelia stated plainly.
Megan felt as if struck by lightning.
Was her child autistic? Impossible.
"You're lying. How could my child be autistic? He must be healthy and smart." Megan shouted.
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