Nancy stared wide-eyed at Elizabeth's swollen cheek. With tears in her eyes, she gently touched Elizabeth's face. In her sleep, Elizabeth furrowed her brows and murmured softly, "Mom,it hurts."

*Nancy couldn't hold back her tears. Who had hit Elizabeth so hard? Was it her son-in-law Michael,whom she had never met? She was determined to fully support Elizabeth in leaving that violent brute.

She had never known what Elizabeth had gone through in the Thomas fámily. Elízabeth always appeared strong, perhaps not wanting to worry her.

People only knew that the Thomas family was wealthy, and everyone wanted to marry into it.

But it seemed that Elizabeth's life in the Thomas family was a complete nightmare!

She gently patted Elizabeth's back, just like when she used to soothe her to sleep as a kid.

The car pulled up at the station, and Elizabeth groggily woke up.

They got off the car, and Nancy said, "Elizabeth, you haven't come over to my place for a meal in a few days. I'll hit the supermarket and grab some fresh fruit and groceries to whip up your favorite dishes."

Elizabeth said, "Okay, Mom."

They hit the supermarket, grabbed their groceries, and chatted all the way back to Nancy's rented apartment.

Before she even reached the door, Elizabeth saw Michael's bodyguard standing there from a distance, and she immediately froze.

Nancy didn't recognize the guy and, seeing Elizabeth's expression, asked her in confusion, "Elizabeth, you know hím?"

Elizabeth said, stone-faced, "That's,Michael's bodyguard."

The bodyguard also found them. He took the groceries and fruit from their hands and then opened the doorto the apartment for them.

Nancy felt a bit awkward, like a guest in her own home.

As soon as they walked in, they felt the tension in the room.

Michael was sitting on the couch in the living room, waiting for them.

Elizabeth walked in and shot Michael a cold look, saying, "What are you doing here? Don't you know it's illegal to trespass?"

Nancy, not knowing Michael, gently tugged on Elizabeth's sleeve,"Elizabeth, chill out."

Michael didn't answer her question but instead looked at her,questioning,"What happened to your phone? Why is there no signal?"

Elizabeth snorted and turned her face towards the window, "Why are you calling me? What do you want?"

Michael said with patience, "Of course, I'm looking for you. You disappeared, shouldn't I be looking for you?"

Elizabeth scoffed, "Save your fake concern. This is my mom's place, and you're not welcome here."

Michael said nothing.

Elizabeth once again felt Michael's creepy surveillance and control over her,like he could find her wherever she went.

This made her feel suffocated and oppressed.

Nancy, seeing the showdown between the two, guessed who the man in front of her was as she quickly said, "You must be Michael, right?Elizabeth is in a bad mood today, so I took her out for a walk. Please wait,and I'll make you some food."

Elizabeth shouted,"Mom!"

Michael said politely, "You don't need to trouble yourself. I'll be leaving now."

Elizabeth said, "Mom, he's leaving right away. You don't need to bother.You've been out for so long, you must be tired."

Michael, seeing that Elizabeth was clearly trying to get rid of him, turned to Nancy and said, "Sorry for my uninvited visit. It's better we head off."

Michael shot Elizabéth a look, like, "Aren't you coming with me?"

Elizabeth straight-up ignored him.

"Mom, I'll help you in the kitchen," Elizabeth said, directly shoved Michael out the door and slammed it shut.

Nancy sighed, "Elizabeth,you two aren't divorced yet. Since you still have to live with Michael, don't provoke him. It won't be good for you."

Elizabeth shrugged, "It's okay, don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

Outside, Michael and his bodyguard exchanged glances.

The bodyguard thought, 'Michael's been kicked out by that stubborn Elizabeth again?'

So many rich ladies in Aurora Bay wanted to marry the perfect Michael.But Michael didn't want any of them.

He only had eyes for Elizabeth. Men were like this: the more unattainable something was, the more interested they became.

The bodyguard sighed and helped Michael leave the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, in the hospital in Aurora Bay...

Anthony lay on the bed,groaning.

He continued to call out to Karen, "Mom, it hurts."

Karen, heartbroken, held Anthóny's hand, tears in her eyes, saying, "Anthony,my poor baby."

She turned to William, who was standing by the bed, and said,"Anthony is in so much paín. Go find the doctor to give him another painkiller."

William went out.

Patricia squatted by the bed, her eyes red, "Anthony, I know you're in pain.It's all Elizabeth's fault! Let me blow on it for you!"

Karen, hearing this, pushed her away, "Are you stupid? What if your saliva infects Anthony's wound?"

Patricia, pushed to the ground, quickly got up, "Sorry, Mrs. Thomas, I didn't think of that."

Karen glared at her, "You better stay away from Anthony! We don't welcome the Jones Family's daughter!"

Anthony, enduring his pain, defended for Patricia, "Mom, this has nothing to do with Patricia. It's all Michael's fault! He set a trap for me!"

Patricia gratefully looked at him, bit her lip, and said in a low voice, "Mrs.Thomas, I'm not the same as Elizabeth. I..."

Before she could finish, the doctor came in and gave Anthony a dose.

Only then did Anthony feel betther and he quickly fell asleep.

Elizabeth helped Nancy finish cooking, and after they ate, Nancy went to the kitchen to clean up.

Elizabeth wanted to help, but Nancy told her to go rest in her room.

Since she was pregnant, Elizabeth always felt sleepy. She had just lain down when she got a message from Sarah.

Sarah:[Elizabeth, are you asleep? I have big news. David and I almost had sex.]

Elizabeth:[What do you mean?]

Sarah replied: [We went to a hotel.]

Elizabeth:[You two are moving fast.]

Sarah: [Not really. It's a steady progression. We planned to go to the hotel,but at the last moment, I realized I got my period. You should have seen David's face.]

Elizabeth: [Don't gloat. By the way, are you okay?]

Sarah: |Not really. David went out to buy me some pads.]

Elizabeth:[David's pretty nice.]

Sarah: [I was planning to dig up some dirt on him in bed,but now,I failed. Maybe next time.]

Elizabeth: [Sarah, forget about that! Just enjoy your relationship.]

Sarah: [Let me ask you, Elizabeth, what was it like the first time you had sex with your husband?]