Qi Yue choked slightly, and said, "It’s...Mrs. Xia...she had a car accident..."

"What!?" Xia Xiaonuan’s heart sank: "Then is she now..."

Qi Yue remained silent.

"Xiaonuan, actually... Mrs. Xia came to see me yesterday, and she gave me a bank card and a contract. She said...she said to give them to you when you return...but I didn’t expect that today, she would..."

Xia Xiaonuan was dumbfounded.

In an instant, tears gushed out of her eyes.

"Is she dead?"

"When she was brought in, there was still a trace of breath. The doctors tried for three hours, but ultimately..."

The phone slipped from Xia Xiaonuan’s hand.

"Xiaonuan...Xiaonuan! Are you okay? You’re pregnant now, so you mustn’t be too upset, you understand?"

Xia Xiaonuan came to her senses and picked up the phone.

She choked as she spoke: "Don’t worry, I’m fine, I’ll be back soon. If there’s anything, call me at this number."

Qi Yue nodded: "Alright, Xiaonuan."

Xia Xiaonuan hung up the phone.

She sat there blankly for more than ten seconds.

Although...she wasn’t truly Xia Xiaonuan, initially, she didn’t have much affection for Mrs. Xia. But later, she realized that Mrs. Xia still cared for her deeply.

She had no parents since she was little, and never felt maternal love.

But, Mrs. Xia gave her hope during her darkest times and stood by her side to support her.

That was already enough.

However...she never expected that this time, her departure would be a final farewell.

Tears streamed down her face.

Xia Xiaonuan covered her mouth, recalling the meals Mrs. Xia made for her, how Mrs. Xia drugged her to help her get pregnant and then regretted it; she remembered how Mrs. Xia argued with Mr. Xia when she was driven out of the house.

Xia Xiaonuan felt a deep pain and sadness in her heart.

Although their mother-daughter bond had just begun, it was already over.

******

Amelia City.

Time returned to three days ago.

Xia Family.

Du Fengjun was sitting on the sofa in the living room, applying a facial mask when the phone on the table rang.

"Hello...Hello..." She answered the call with her eyes closed, her face upturned.

"Mrs. Xia, it’s Old Li."

"Old Li?" Mrs. Xia froze, Old Li was Mr. Du’s long-time driver and also a friend. He had been helping take care of the comatose Mr. Xia in the hospital.

"What’s wrong? Has my father woken up?" Mrs. Xia asked, sitting up straight.

"Mr. Xia’s condition isn’t looking good, we hope you can come to the hospital as soon as possible."

"What?" Mrs. Xia suddenly stood up from the sofa, the white mask on her face falling onto the coffee table.

"Pop!" The phone in her hand slipped to the floor.

The hospital was forever filled with a stifling atmosphere.

The strong smell of disinfectant in the air added a touch of desolation to the mood.

The doctor covered Mr. Xia’s face slowly with a white sheet.

The sound of high heels clacking on the floor rang out, and Mrs. Xia rushed into the room, her pupils instantly turned blood-red upon seeing the scene.

The wrinkles at the corners of the woman’s eyes seemed to carry pain and sadness.

"Dad...Dad!" She rushed forward, throwing herself onto Mr. Du.

Li Ren, standing nearby, looked at Du Fengjun and said, "Madam, the old master has passed away. Please accept our condolences."

Mrs. Xia collapsed onto the bed, no longer able to contain her grief.

The doctor shook his head and turned to leave the room.