The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Jessica could see where Steven was coming from. But the problem was the baby she conceived was not Steven's child; that meant she had to think of a way to minimize the damage.

She said, "I haven't been to too many checkups. What if they find something wrong with the baby? If too much time has passed since your vasectomy, it may be difficult to get a reversal. Then..."

Knowing how women tend to overthink during pregnancy, Steven held Jessica's hand and said, "If that happens, I'll just accept whatever the outcome is."

Jessica was baffled. At that moment, she had the urge to tell him the truth, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything. Just then, somebody knocked on the door.

Jessica hurriedly pulled away from Steven and stood up. Then, she said, "Someone's here. Let me see who it is."

"Okay," Steven said as he watched Jessica walk away.

When Jessica opened the door, she was surprised to see Chloe outside. Jessica asked, "What brings you here?"

Chloe smiled and said, "I'm here to check on you and to visit my lovely grandson."

As Chloe said that, her gaze fell on Jessica's belly. But everything Chloe and Steven said only reminded Jessica of her lies, making her feel pressured.

Trying to change the topic, Jessica said, "You came just in time. Steven's here, too. Do you want to come in and talk to him?"

Upon hearing that, Chloe became curious. When she found Steven washing the vegetables in the kitchen, Chloe thought it was amusing. Chloe asked, "Are you going to cook?"

Nodding, Steven responded, "Yup. Jessica's heavily pregnant, so she can't cook. The chef is away, so I have to do it."

Chloe said approvingly, "That's the

right thing to do. You may be busy

as

with work, but you can't use work an excuse to neglect your family. Otherwise, you won't ever have a good relationship with your wife and children."

Despite what she was saying, Chloe still went to help Steven wash the vegetables. Steven didn't reject her help either.

Seeing how the two of them were busy doing something, Jessica thought it would be rude of her to stand idly by. Jessica wanted to help, but immediately after she sat down and reached for the O vegetables, Steven stopped her.

"Let Mom and I handle this. You can rest over there."

Jessica shook her head and said, "No."

Steven retorted, "You're pregnant, and you get tired easily. Don't argue with me on this, okay?"

Seeing how serious Steven was, Jessica stopped what she was trying to do. Then, she looked down at her pregnant belly.noveldrama

Chloe and Steven were doting on her because they thought the baby was their family member. But one day, the truth would inevitably come to light. Jessica wasn't sure what she'd do when that day finally arrived.

When she saw how the two were busy, Jessica got up and said, "I'm a little tired. Since you don't need my help, I'll excuse myself."

The only person who knew the truth about Jessica's baby was Casper, and he was still hopeful about reconciling with her. That made Jessica worry-would Casper expose the baby's true identity?

Jessica was determined to talk to Casper about it before he impulsively spilled the beans to someone else.