My Legacy Goes to His Nanny's Son

The sharp scent of disinfectant stung my nostrils, making them ache. I leaned over the hospital bed, staring at the steadily flattening line on the heart monitor, my fingertips icy cold. Richard Gresham, my husband, was using the last ounce of his strength to look at me. In his eyes, there was no trace of fear of death—only a cruel, almost merciless calm. "Karina." His voice was as faint as a dying breath, yet every word was clear. "All my assets, including company shares, properties, and savings... are left to Oscar." Oscar? I suddenly looked up; blood rushed to my head, then froze in an instant. That name was like a poisoned dagger, piercing sharply into my heart. Oscar is the son of our housekeeper, Melissa Sue, and he just turned five this year. Richard Gresham had always shown him special care. I once naively believed it was out of pity, but now I realize I was only fooling myself. "What did you say?" My voice trembled uncontrollably as my nails dug deep into my palms, the pain nearly driving me to scream. "He is... my son." Richard Gresham's gaze drifted toward the hospital room door, as if expecting something. "I have already made the will; the lawyer will handle everything else." "Also, Karina, I know this is unfair to you, but Oscar is still young. You... you must help me take good care of him." Take care of his illegitimate child? Use the years of marriage between us, use the honor of the Lowell Family, to raise a child who has stolen everything that should have belonged to me? Absurd! Shameless! I felt a surge of rage shoot from my feet to my head, and my vision darkened. I have been married to him for ten years—managing the household for him, being filial to his parents, sacrificing my own career and dreams for him—and this is the ending I get? "Richard Gresham, how heartless you are!" I screamed, tears streaming down, "Where did I ever wrong you for you to treat me like this?!" He closed his eyes, no longer looking at me, and a faint trace of relief lingered at the corner of his mouth. That expression ignited the fuse in my heart completely; a tidal wave of fury and despair swallowed me whole. I felt as if an invisible hand was gripping my heart tightly, the pain making it impossible to breathe. In the last moments of fading consciousness, I saw Melissa Sue holding that child, timidly appearing at the door, yet her eyes betrayed a gleam of pride. So, they had conspired all along. I, Karina Lowell, am truly the most foolish fool in this world. Darkness completely enveloped me, as if I had fallen into a bottomless abyss. "Karina! Karina! Wake up!" Urgent voices rang in my ears, accompanied by a gentle shaking. I snapped my eyes open; the blinding sunlight streaming through the curtain gap made me instinctively squint. The scent lingering at my nose wasn't disinfectant, but the white tea aroma diffuser I often use in my room. This is... my room? I stared blankly at the familiar ceiling, still adorned with the poster of my favorite band from when I was eighteen, its corners slightly curled. "You, sleeping so soundly, hurry up and get dressed. The Gresham family will be here any moment." Mother's voice echoed in my ears, carrying a faint but urgent tone. The Gresham family? I suddenly sat up and looked around. On the desk lay piles of senior year review materials, and the calendar on the wall clearly showed the date — July 15, 2129. I was eighteen that year, just one hour away from the official announcement of the arranged marriage between my family and Richard Gresham's. I... have been reborn? After the overwhelming shock came an indescribable joy. Didn't I die in the hospital? How am I back at this moment? Heaven has eyes! It has given me a chance to start over! This time, I will never repeat the same mistakes. Richard Gresham, Melissa Sue, and that so-called illegitimate child—I won't spare a single one of them! "Mom," I threw off the covers and jumped out of bed, my voice trembling with excitement, "I have something to say about the arranged marriage." Mom was momentarily stunned, then frowned. "Say what? This has all been decided long ago. The alliance between the Gresham Family and our Lowell Family benefits both businesses. Don't throw a tantrum now." "I'm not throwing a tantrum." I walked to the dressing mirror, gazing at the young face reflected back, still carrying a hint of baby fat, my eyes gradually hardening with resolve. "I will not marry Richard Gresham." "What nonsense are you talking about!" Mother's voice instantly rose, "Is this something to joke about? The Gresham family will be here any minute. How am I supposed to explain this to them?" "Then tell them I want to marry someone else." I picked up the comb and slowly brushed my long hair, each word crystal clear. "The person I want to marry is Edward Silva." Mother stared at me as if struck by lightning, dumbfounded and speechless for a long while.