256: Refined Marriage

In the serene atmosphere of the hospital room, light filtering through the blinds, Emma found herself caught in a web of emotions as Bauer's revelation unfolded. The gentle hum of medical equipment in the background served as a stark reminder of the reality she was facing. Bauer, standing awkwardly at the foot of her bed, seemed to shrink under Emma's penetrating gaze. "So, you're telling me, after all this time, you've known exactly who I am? And your grand plan was to woo me into becoming a stepmother?" Emma's voice, though weak, carried a mix of disbelief and sarcasm. The idea was so outlandish that it would have been laughable if it hadn't been so infuriatingly true. Bauer, sensing the rising storm, hastened to clarify, his hands gesturing as if to weave his words into a more acceptable narrative. "Well, when you put it like that... But no, it's not just about finding a stepmother. Think of it more as a...strategic alliance, you know? Our families together, it could be bene