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Chapter 274
Bang. Brian couldn’t stifle a laugh as the door nearly smacked him in the face.
Behind the door, Jessica stood clutching the barbecue she’d snatched, her scowl deepening at the faint laughter outside.
When she glanced down at the food, her expression turned downright thunderous.
She couldn’t fathom why she’d grabbed the barbecue and bolted.
She wondered, ‘Maybe to shut down Brian’s pestering by just taking it?‘
But she knew the truth ran deeper.
Her fingers grazed the warm paper bag. She thought, ‘Brian must have raced over as soon as he bought it.’
She’d heard the joint was packed, and with rush hour in full swing, there had to be a massive line.
She thought, ‘Wait, Brian waiting in line? No, what am I thinking? He probably just told his assistant or driver to pick it up and maybe even ordered more. Is he heading to Madeline’s next?‘
Jessica’s mood tanked. She tossed the barbecue onto the table without bothering to unwrap it.
Just then, her phone pinged with a new message.
Madeline: [Nine–grid pregnancy nutrition recipes. Jessi, which of these recipes do you think is best?]
Staring at the nine–grid, Jessica had a flashback to when she was pregnant with Jacob. Her pregnancy had been high–risk, so she’d hunted down every nutritional supplement resource.
As a first–time mom, she’d devoured countless books and watched tons of videos, following “scientific” pregnancy guides to the letter–no snacks, no soda or coffee, not even meds when sick.
After nine months, she was downright gaunt when Jacob was born.
It wasn’t until chatting with veteran moms in the hospital that she realized pregnancies needed care but not rigid rule–following. Her own comfort should come first.
Now, studying Madeline’s photos, Jessica knew the other woman had likely fallen into the same old trap she had years back, but she wasn’t about to play advisor.
[They all look great. Go for all of them,] she texted back, then grabbed the barbecue and dug in.
She thought, ‘If Brian had the guts to bring it, why shouldn’t I eat? I’m not gonna punish myself for their mess.‘
Jessica tried talking herself into it, but tears started streaming as she ate.
She dashed at her eyes in frustration.
‘Maybe I should see Dr. Finch again tomorrow,’ she/thought.
The next morning, Jessica stepped out with raccoon–sized dark circles.
Brian, who’d arrived early with breakfast, frowned instantly. “Jessi, you didn’t sleep well again?”
She gave him a flat stare and tried shutting the door, but he yanked her into his arms and pulled her inside.
“What the hell?” Jessica scowled.
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13:33 Wed, 18 Jun GR.
Chapter 274
“You look like death. Skip work today,” Brian said.
Brian gently but firmly pressed her onto the sofa. His eyes flicked to the empty trash can–figures she hadn’t eaten.
“Not your problem.” Jessica’s voice was ice, hating his bossy act.
Brian pulled out his phone and opened the album. “Fine, not my problem. But check this out, Jessi.”
She peeked down automatically and met Jacob’s sparkling eyes in the photo. “Jake…”
“Yep, Jake.” Brian nodded. “I saw him last night. He’s been asking for you. When he heard I was coming here, he made me take this to show you.”
As he talked, he unpacked the breakfast he’d brought.
When Jessica stared at the photo–Jake’s cheeks rosy, eyes bright–her tense mood eased a bit.
He looked totally back to normal. Probably get discharged in a few days.
“The doc says Jake’s stomach bug is totally cleared up. He can head home in a few days.
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“These days he’s been self–studying grade–school stuff at the hospital. Even De… Mr. Grant says Jake’s a total brainiac.” Brian caught himself just in time, then spooned a bite of oatmeal toward Jessica’s mouth.
Her mind was still stuck on Jacob, and she opened reflexively when the food
By the time she clocked what was happening, it was already down hotel
ed her lips.
throat, her mouth pressing into a tight line.
Brian let out a sigh, setting the spoon aside and crouching in front of her.
He said, “Jessi, you really don’t have to freeze me out like this. You’re obviously starving.”
His eyes flicked to her belly. “Even if you don’t take care of yourself, think about the babies. I don’t want you messing with your health.”
Jessica flinched, both hands flying to her stomach, She snorted. “These babies have got nothing to do with you, Brian. If you’re after my kids, you can forget it right now. I’m never giving you these babies!”
She thought, ‘No one’s taking my kids again.‘
དཥ་ཧ་ཆ་ཚ་ཧ
Brian gaped at her, stunned. “Jessi, are you way off base
He thought, ‘When did I say I wanted to take the ba
here?”
She shot him a frosty look. “You know damn well if I am. Get out now, and don’t come back again.”
Yanking him up, she started shoving him toward the door,
Brian didn’t fight back, too worried she’d
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