The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 188

Jessica looked up at Steven, her tearful eyes fixed on him. Her right hand instinctively rested on her stomach.

"Steven, think about it. It seems you don't really love me or this all that much. Maybe I should just get rid of the baby," she said, her tone laced with a sob.

Steven felt a surge of irritation, though he concealed it with a comforting smile.

"Why would you think that?"

He held her hand, resisting the discomfort that physical closeness with her brought.

"Jessica, I'm a straightforward person. I'm not used to saying how I feel. I care about you and the baby in my own way. So, stop worrying and just focus on resting at home."

Steven then took out a card and handed it to her. "If you want something, go ahead and buy it."

Jessica's eyes widened in surprise, glistening with emotion. "Is this really mine?"

"Yes."

Things had gone too far now, and with a child on the way, Steven knew he couldn't just walk away from her. Yet, for reasons he couldn't quite explain, the idea of spending a lifetime with Jessica felt suffocating. He found himself picturing Annalise, her image inexplicably lingering in his mind.

Jessica tucked the card away in her purse.

Steven offered a few more reassuring words, waiting for her to calm down before excusing himself, citing work that needed his attention.

Jessica left obediently, but instead of heading home, she made her way to a nearby mall, where she shopped until her car was filled to capacity with bags.

Feeling somewhat appeased, she settled into the car.

"Take me to the Huxham Corporation," she told the driver.

Since Steven and Annalise's divorce, Jessica had been eager to see Annalise. She had been too busy to arrange a meet-up until now, but today was her chance. With some time on her hand, she was determined to have a little talk with Annalise.

...

I had just wrapped up my work for the day, even finishing the final touches on the game department's poster coloring, when I got a call from Jessica.

I answered casually, "Hello?"

"Annalise." Jessica's tone held none of its usual fragility. "Let's meet."

"I'm not interested," I declined.

She scoffed. "Are you afraid of me?"

Since the divorce, I hadn't had any contact with Jessica. Her request made me reluctantly recall everything that happened before the divorce.

As I thought over it, I realized that fear wasn't the right word-disgust was more accurate.

I replied calmly, "Why would I be afraid of you?"

Jessica sounded smug. "I took your husband and your son."

She clearly took pride in breaking apart someone else's happy family, ruining a marriage, and taking another woman's husband to prove her charm.

"Anything that can be taken away was never truly mine to begin with," I replied casually.

"And I've never resented you for it."

Jessica responded quickly, "That's impossible."

"The only thing I hold against you is that you killed my child," I continued.

Jessica fell silent.

"And now that you're pregnant, too. If anything happened to that baby during our meeting, everyone would assume I had something to do with it. I'm not willing to take that risk," I added on.