Chapter 70
As night fell, Jessica drove into the courtyard of Atkinson Manor. The classic–style mansion was brightly lit, and a valet immediately approached her car “Good evening, Mrs. Atkinson.”
Jessica nodded in response.
Just as she was about to enter, Paisley emerged with a smile. “Jessi, come in. You must be starving after a long day.”
Paisley’s gaze swept over Jessica with apparent concern, reaching out to take her hand.
Jessica stiffened, subtly evading her hand. “Is Weston inside?”
“He is discussing business with Brian upstairs.” Calmly, Paisley seized Jessica’s hand anyway. “Leave them to their talk. Let’s have our own chat.”
Jessica glanced down at Paisley’s grip but didn’t pull away this time. She didn’t want to escalate things.
Yet something was off. In all these years, Paisley had never hidden her disdain for Jessica’s background. This sudden warmth was unprecedented.
Since moving out with Brian, Jessica’s interactions with Paisley had been limited to mandatory family dinners. Even after Jacob’s birth, Paisley’s tolerance had been grudging at best.
Jessica couldn’t help but think, ‘This sudden affection… Is it because she doesn’t want Weston to see anything off?‘
Paisley guided Jessica to the sitting room, chatting for a while before sliding a bracelet off her wrist. “Look at you, no jewelry at all. This piece is too vibrant for me. It’d suit you far better.”
As she spoke, she tried slipping it onto Jessica’s wrist. But Jessica instinctively recoiled.
Paisley lost her grip. The bracelet, worth millions, passed down through generations, was broken on the floor.
Jessica’s breath caught. She stood up abruptly. “This is too valuable. I can’t-” Her words trailed off as she stared at the broken fragments.
“It’s fine. It wasn’t worth much anyway.” Paisley’s perfectly composed expression froze along with it. The bracelet wasn’t the rarest piece, but it was one she truly liked.
Jessica crouched to pick up the pieces, offering politely, “My mother has a similar one. I’ll have it sent to you.” She set the pieces aside dismissively.
“No need, really. It’s just a bracelet.” Paisley’s smile was brittle.
Jessica said nothing more, though she made a mental note to ask Stella about the bracelet later.
An oppressive silence followed. Paisley’s attempts at conversation grew increasingly strained while Jessica remained quiet, occasionally glancing at the remnants of the bracelet.
Back when Jessica and Brian married, Paisley had deliberately gifted cheap gold jewelry. She had even said, “It perfectly fits someone at your station. You are lucky enough to marry my son. Gems are wasted on you.”
Brian had responded the next day by ordering a million–dollar diamond necklace for Jessica.
After an awkward silence, the servants began serving dinner.
The murmur of conversation from the staircase announced Weston and Brian’s arrival.
Jessica stood up and greeted, “Grandpa.”
“Jessi.” Weston’s clouded eyes crinkled with warmth. He chuckled, “Made you come all this way just to have dinner with me. Are you bored already?”
“Of course not,” Jessica smiled. She knew he was teasing
Standing next to Weston, Brian looked at Jessica, only to meet her indifference.
Weston noticed their silent standoff before clapping his hands. “Enough standing. Let’s have dinner.”
Everyone took their seats. Weston sat at the head of the table, Paisley to his right. As Brian moved to sit on the left, Weston slapped his shoulder. “Move over.”
He then gestured to Jessica. “Jessi, come here. Sit next to me.”
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11.19 AM
Chapter 70
Jessica stood and sat there. Brian sat beside her.
The table groaned under exquisite dishes, such as stewed beef and roast fish. Each ingredient was carefully selected. The fish was delivered by air within hours of being caught.
Weston lifted his fork first. “Brian, Jessi likes sea fish. Get her the softest part.
Brian looked at Jessica, then carefully selected a piece of tender fish meat and placed it on her plate.
Jessica liked roast fish. But now, she felt it reeked of brine. Nausea clawed up her throat. Before she could excuse herself and go to the restroom, her body reacted instinctively. She turned her head and let out a dry heave.
Silence crashed over the dining room. All eyes turned to her.
The fish’s stench intensified with every breath. The more Jessica tried to suppress nausea, the worse it got. Her face paled instantly.
Brian reached out to pat her back, but it was shoved away. He asked, frowning, “Are you ill?”
Jessica didn’t want to speak. Paisley suddenly gasped. “Jessi… Are you pregnant?”
Jessica froze, her face going even paler. She shook her head, holding her breath. “No. I caught a chill recently. Just a stomach bug. The doctor had prescribed prescribed medication already.”
Trying to deflect, she added apologetically, “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Grandpa. You specially prepared the fish. I’ll eat something else.”
Her over–explanation deepened Paisley’s suspicion.
After moving the fish aside, Jessica managed several spoonfuls of porridge while the others ate.
Strangely, Weston never broached the divorce. It seemed that he only wanted to have her there for dinner.
When dinner ended, it was already late. Weston made a polite gesture to keep her longer, but Jessica declined.
Paisley, however, clung to Jessica’s hand, wanting her to stay a few days.
Jessica politely refused again.
Weston, tired from age and the meal, went upstairs to rest early.
Paisley walked Brian and Jessica to the door, waved goodbye, and disappeared inside.
As Jessica moved toward her car, Brian blocked the door. “You’re carrying my child,” he said with absolute certainty.
Jessica’s heart skipped a beat. Annoyance flared in her chest. She shoved him hard. “Dream on. We’re done, Brian. The court date is coming soon. Stop deluding yourself.” With that, she got in the car and drove off.
་ ༤ཥ་ཝ
Brian watched her taillights vanish, sneering, “Liar.”
He thought, ‘Only someone hiding the truth would react that strongly. If she weren’t pregnant, she would have simply leveled him with one glacial look before driving off.
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