The boy was still very young, and often misunderstood her due to his developing comprehension skills. More importantly, Lily wondered if she had neglected Galen's feelings because of her pregnancy.

Feeling sorry, she held him close, stroking his soft, short hair. "I wasn't mad at you for being naughty, okay? Everyone has a different personality. Some are quieter, some are livelier, but that's not a bad thing. You're all adorable to me!"

Though he didn't fully understand, the warmth of his mother's embrace calmed him. He nodded, then furrowed his brow. "I'm lively, and Nicky is quiet, but we're good boys!"

"That's right!" Lily replied, her smile faltering. "Nick Corden..."

"Mommy, I haven't seen Nicky for a long time. Doesn't he want to come here anymore?" Galen was close to Nick. While staying with Dominic, he hadn't minded, but now he missed him.

Since firing Daisy, Lily hadn't hired a new babysitter, and she suspected Galen felt lonely without playmates.

"Mommy?" He tugged at her sleeve, puzzled.

"Nicky's been too busy and hasn't returned from overseas. I'll ask him to come over when he does, okay?" Lily comforted him, feeling uneasy.

The Cordens and Russells had been close. Lily had watched Nick grow up; she'd even saved him once. His disappearance made her understand Mike's desperation.

'If I were in his shoes, would I make the same decision?'

Looking at her son's cute face, she finally understood Mike's motives.

"Oh, yes, a cute little girl will join our family soon. You're going to have a playmate!" She thought of the young patient from X Department. Since the child was recovering, Lily planned for her to stay in one of Alexander's apartments, under medical supervision.

Based on her assessment, the virus would likely remain in Debbie's system for over a month. To prevent recurrence, she arranged for an additional half-month of recuperation until the virus was undetectable.

"Really?" Galen's eyes lit up; he clapped his hands. "Then I'm going to have an older sister!"

Seeing his happy grin, Lily smiled.

'A child's smile is so innocent, yet some target children defenseless against them. Galen is fortunate. Nick and Debbie suffered terrible fates.

'Even if I didn't care about others, I have to act for these children. Are they using me? Then I'll start a fire and burn everything connected to that evil experiment!'

Holding her child tight, her eyes sparkled with determination.