True Love Deserves a Second Chance
Chapter 228 My Dad's Son

Leonard rushed over and hugged Elise. "Mom, don't worry. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Elise, frantic, muttered, "She wants to kill my son. Save him. He's just a kid."

Seeing Elise like this, Derek felt a sharp pain. He kicked Cordelia in the knee, his voice icy. "How dare you!"

Cordelia stumbled back into a wheelchair, glaring at Elise. "Derek, you hit me for another woman? I gave you children. How can you be so heartless?"

Derek, veins bulging in anger, protected Elise and Joyce as they got off the elevator. He ordered. "Take this crazy woman away. No one lets her out without my permission." Cordelia cried, "Derek, why can other women see my son, but I can't? Have you been with her all along? Is that why you want a divorce?"

Derek saw Elise trembling and Cordelia pressing on. He slapped Cordelia in anger. "Cordelia, if you keep talking nonsense, you'll regret it!"

Cordelia, dizzy from the slap, saw Joyce with a bag of ointment. Joyce, scared, instinctively covered her lower abdomen, fearing for her child. Cordelia noticed this.

With malice in her eyes, Cordelia pleaded tearfully, "Joyce, let me see Sebastian. Just once. He's my son. He's in a coma, and I can't sleep from worry."

Joyce, stepping back in fear, said coldly, "Do you know how he got hurt? Even if he were awake, he wouldn't want to see you. Leave him alone."

Joyce tried to take Elise into the ward, but Cordelia wailed. "Joyce, I'm your mom's best friend. If I had known you were..."

Derek covered Cordelia's mouth and told Joyce, "Take them to the ward."

Joyce led Leonard and Elise away. Derek released Cordelia and ordered, "Take her back and shut her up!"

The bodyguards taped Cordelia's mouth and restrained her, taking her away.

Derek, taking deep breaths, felt lingering fear. Cordelia almost revealed Joyce's background, trying to provoke her into a miscarriage.

Thinking of Cordelia as Sebastian and Bianca's mother, Derek clenched his fist in frustration and walked to the ward.

Opening the door, he saw Elise break free from Leonard and rush to him, tearfully pleading, "Don't let her kill my son. He's so young. Please."

Seeing Elise's tears and hearing her cries, Derek felt like his heart was being stabbed. The pain was so intense he almost forgot to breathe. He frowned at Elise, trying to sound as gentle as possible. "Don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt him." With Derek's assurance, Elise slowly let go of his arm, her emotions gradually calming down. Leonard held her, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Sebastian, clenching the blanket tightly, could almost imagine how many times Leonard and Elise had been hunted down over the years. He was almost certain the person behind it was his own mother, Cordelia. That's why Elise reacted so strongly to her.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!

Feeling frustrated, Sebastian looked at Leonard and asked quietly, "Should we get a psychologist?"

Leonard shook his head. "She'll be alright. It's just... a lot to process. She needs time to recover, to find her equilibrium again."

Joyce immediately moved to Elise's side and tried to help. "Mrs. Guise, let's get you to bed."

Elise walked unsteadily to the bed and slowly lay down. Joyce covered her with a blanket and said softly, "We're all here with you. No one can hurt you and Leonard."

Elise looked at her with tearful eyes. "Joyce, Leo has suffered a lot since he was a child. Please don't abandon him. Be good to him, okay?"

Joyce's eyes instantly reddened. She nodded repeatedly. "He's my closest friend. I could never turn my back on him. I promise."

She gently brushed Elise's forehead, her voice soft. "Get some sleep. I'll stay here with you."

Elise slowly closed her eyes and soon fell asleep. Joyce held her hand tightly, not daring to leave.

Derek stood quietly by the bed, staring at Elise. 'Why do I feel a sense of familiarity with her, a feeling that strikes deep in my heart? Had we really been in love before, and I lost my memory? But wasn't Cordelia the one I liked back then? Why do I feel the same way about Elise as I did when I was in love?'

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Derek sat by the bed, lowering his voice. "Joyce, I'll stay with her. You go check on Leo."

Joyce got up and followed Sebastian to the living room.

Leonard was standing by the window, looking out. His tall and upright figure now gave Joyce a sense of loneliness and heartache. She slowly walked to his side and softly called, "Leonard." Leonard turned around, his eyes a bit red. "Did I scare you?"

Joyce shook her head. "No, are you okay?"

Leonard gave a faint smile. "I'm fine. I'm used to it."

"Can you tell me about the time you were hunted down?" Sebastian suddenly spoke from behind, his deep eyes filled with complex emotions.

Leonard raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly calm but hiding turmoil deep within. "Have you figured it out?"

Sebastian stared at Leonard's deep blue eyes for a long time. Those eyes, that nose, looked just like his. More precisely, Leonard looked like Derek. He had felt this way the first time he saw Leonard. He originally thought it was just a coincidence, that there could be no connection between them. But now, it seemed he was wrong.

Sebastian's thin lips pressed together, and a hoarse sound came from his throat. "You are my father's son."