Chapter 983



“Belinda, if you’re hurting, don’t bottle it up. Let it out. Cry if you need to. Tears can ease the weight inside you,” Bethany said.

Something about her words shattered Belinda’s composure. Her eyes welled up instantly, tears cascading down her cheeks.

Belinda’s voice quivered as she sobbed, “Bethany, I’m terrified… I’m petrified of contracting AIDS. I can’t fathom what I’d do if… if the worst were to happen.”

Bethany wrapped an arm around Belinda’s shoulder, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “No, don’t think like that. You will be fine. I looked it up. In cases like yours, the probability of infection is less than one in ten thousand. The odds are on your side. Don’t worry too much.”

Belinda tried to muster strength, though her voice trembled. “But what if… I’m that one in ten thousand?”

Bethany frowned. “Don’t say something like that! Stop with those grim thoughts. You’ll be alright. Trust me.”

Belinda parted her lips to speak, but suddenly, her stomach churned violently, nausea overtaking her.

Her expression shifted as she pressed a hand to her abdomen. “I need to use the restroom.”

Concern etched deeper into Bethany’s features as she watched Belinda rush to the restroom.

At the Clark family’s estate, inside the study, Lucas stood before Harold and Norma, conveying the distressing news regarding Belinda.

“What?” Harold exclaimed, disbelief clouding his face.

“How could such a thing happen?” Norma gasped, her complexion paling.

They exchanged worried glances.

Harold’s voice carried his concern for Belinda. “How is Belinda holding up? Is she alright?”

Lucas’ throat was tight, his voice hoarse and strained. “She puts on a brave face, but we all know… she’s suffering the most. She’s scared, and it’s tearing her apart.”

Silence enveloped the room before Harold broke it with a measured tone. “Lucas, given Belinda’s situation… what do you plan to do?”

Lucas spoke without hesitation. “I don’t care whether Belinda is infected or not—I want her! My wife can only be her!” He was steadfast in this matter.

However, Norma’s eyes flickered with concern.

She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

She knew better than anyone that once Lucas had made up his mind, there was nothing anyone could do to persuade him otherwise. Even Harold could only nod.

“Alright.”

Lucas blinked at him. “Dad,” he said, “you don’t object?”

“Why should I object?” Harold replied matter-of-factly. “You’re a grown man, and you can be responsible for your own actions. Besides, who’s to say for certain that Belinda will get infected? If she does, then the worst thing you two would have to face is not having children.” Harold paused to take a sip of coffee before continuing, “Medical science has advanced a great deal over the last few decades. AIDS is no longer the death sentence it once was. People infected with HIV can take medication and live longer. As long as they follow the necessary treatment plan, the chances of the virus developing into a crippling disease are pretty low. Also, we could even set up our own lab and hire our own research team to develop a cure.”

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