Chapter 365: At Kingsport Medical Center

At Kingsport Medical Center... Vanessa Bennett lay pale and fragile on the sterile hospital bed. A heartbreaking sight. "Just let them proceed with the surgery," she whispered weakly to everyone gathered in the room. "I'll pull through. I'll survive. I refuse to be a burden to Derek..."

"Don't speak such nonsense, Vanessa!" Helena Bennett clutched her daughter's hand, her voice trembling. "Burden? Derek must take responsibility for you! We'll ensure he gives you a proper explanation."

Nearby, Caleb Bennett snarled at Victor Prescott. "Where is Derek? Does he have no honor? A grown man acting with zero accountability!"

"Mr. Bennett, please remain calm. He will apologize to Vanessa," Victor pledged.

Though they favored Sienna Bennett, Vanessa carried a child—a son. How could they allow her to terminate the pregnancy? Derek Prescott entered the ward at that moment. The instant he crossed the threshold, Caleb's fist connected hard with his jaw.

"Derek! You coward! How could you do this to my sister?!" He lunged again, but the Prescott family bodyguards swiftly restrained him.

The Carlisles made no move to intervene. Protected by his security, Derek wiped the blood from his lip with his thumb. Fury burned in his eyes. Vanessa knew that look. She recognized his rage. "Caleb, stop! It's not his fault! It's mine! All mine... Derek had already ended things. He was set to marry Sienna. I approached him at their wedding. I brought this shame upon myself..."

"Stop defending him, Vanessa! He strung you along for five years! He did this to you, and you still shield him?" Helena cried out, torn between pain and anger.

Tears streamed down Vanessa's cheeks. "Please don't make this worse. If Derek doesn't want me, let me end this. Let me have the surgery and disappear from his life. I'll be fine. I'll survive..." Her voice broke into desperate sobs. "Doctor! Where is the doctor?! I'm ready for the procedure...! I don't want this child! I don't want it!" Her raw, agonizing wails shattered the hearts of everyone present. Margaret Prescott finally stepped forward. "Vanessa, you have a bleeding disorder. The surgery could kill you! Don't be reckless... We will support you!"

She then turned a sharp gaze to Derek. "What are you waiting for? Apologize to her right now. Propose!" A bodyguard immediately handed Derek a velvet box. Inside was the heirloom diamond ring from his engagement to Sienna—passed down for generations. How many times had he imagined slipping this very ring onto Vanessa's finger? But now... Putting it on her meant losing Sienna forever. Sienna would never take him back. What choice did he have?

His hesitation was not lost on Vanessa. It crushed her. She was dying. Both families were pressuring him to marry her. Yet he still hesitated? When had she become so insignificant to him? Tears of heartache glistened in her eyes. "Derek, I meant what I said. I'll be mature. I won't force you. I won't be your burden." With a sudden, violent movement, she clenched her fist and struck her own abdomen.

"Vanessa!" Helena screamed, rushing to stop her.

"Let me go, Mother! I beg you! I'll be fine—I don't want this baby! I don't want it...! I don't!"