Chapter 708

Jeffrey took a step forward, itching to chase after Karen, but at that very moment, his phone jangled

to life.

He didn't want to check who it was; he just wanted Karen to stay.

But the ringtone grew louder and louder, to the point that even Karen could hear it now.

Before she got in the car, she paused and looked back at him. “Aren’t you going to answer that? Is it

Paige?”

“I won’t answer it, Karen. What if I block her, would that make you stay?” Jeffrey's limbs were long,

and in a few strides, he was by her side again, gripping her arm.

Seeing this, Derek stepped over, personally prying Jeffrey's hand away.

"Jeffrey, my wife and I were worried about this very thing, which is why we hesitated to give you our

blessing. But when we saw you doting on Karen, we were convinced of your sincerity and agreed to

the engagement. And now, you've let her down like this. I think it's best if we don't climb this social

ladder after all."

"Dad, there's a good explanation for all this!"

"You might have one! As a man myself, I understand there are obligations and intricacies in life that

can't be aired out in the open, including work commitments. I'm not angry about that. But you

betrayed Karen's trust in you, left her scared and worried all night long. As her father, I simply can't

accept that."

Seeing his daughter so worn and disappointed, Derek's heart was breaking.

Jeffrey frowned, at a loss for words.

All the way there, he had been rehearsing how to tell Karen about the child, how to come clean, but

now that they were face to face, she hadn't even begun to question him about the child!

If he had known it would turn out like this, he would never have stayed at the hospital the night

before.

"I didn't think she would come after me."

Jeffrey had figured that with Karen's temperament, she'd be furious or simply storm back to her

parents' house. But he hadn't expected her to be out looking for him all night long because she was

worried.

"Think it over, Jeffrey, and don't block the way. Let's part on good terms."

Derek escorted his daughter into the car and circled back to the driver's seat.

Jeffrey watched the car pull away, feeling a hollow ache in his chest as the cold air seeped through.

Suddenly, he dashed forward, trying to chase after the car, but how can a man outrun a vehicle?

In his pocket, the phone was still ringing insistently.

Frustrated, Jeffrey pulled out the phone and answered it.

"Paige, are you happy now? Karen and I are done!"

"Jeffrey, you need to come to the hospital... the baby, she's not doing well!" Paige was too

distressed to listen to his reproach, sobbing uncontrollably. "After you left, she cried and then

suddenly passed out. The doctor says she's not going to make it!"

Jeffrey clenched his fists, grinding his teeth.

"It's got nothing to do with me if she's dead! You were the one who insisted on having her, don't try

to guilt-trip me!"

"I swear, she's really in a bad way! Jeffrey, please, just come back one more time, for a last look at

her, okay? I'm begging you, I'll get down on my knees if I have to."

The veins on the back of his hand stood out fiercely.

Jeffrey had never imagined he'd see such a day of utter desperation.

"I'm not coming. Just give it up."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the image of the little girl flashed through Jeffrey's mind.

She was thin, curled up in a corner of the bed, always sleeping, rarely opening her eyes.

Last night, he had sat by her side the whole time, just watching her.