Jackson did not release his grip. Instead, he held her more tightly, as though Tiffany was a treasure he had taken too much time to recover. “I can’t sleep, babe. And who says you have to sleep just because you’re tired, huh? Don’t move. I wanna hold onto you a little longer.”Tiffany may say no outwardly, but her body was already submitting to his demand. It changed into a more comfortable position in his embrace for maximum comfort while she continued watching her drama. It was then that he suddenly clapped on her bouncy stomach and remarked, “You’ve gone a little bigger.”Tiffany froze before kicking him away in a sheer act of reflex. “Are you crazy?” she cried.Her reaction startled him. “W-What’d I do?”His action shocked her too much. His force might not have been a lot, but it was not at all light, either, especially when he hit too close to where the baby was. After calming herself, she finally said, “Can you please not hit my stomach like that anymore?”Jackson thought it
He was so anxious that he dared not move. “Can you please not do that? And be gentle with yourself, will you? Take a page out of Arianne’s book from when she was pregnant. She was careful instead of acting like it’s nothing! You know what? I’m sleeping in another room. You’re on your own, so take care. Don’t find yourself rolling off the bed in the morning.”Tiffany was surprised that Jackson would leave her. “Wait, so you’re serious? Really? Uh, whatever then. If it makes you happy, then go sleep elsewhere. Meanwhile, I’m gonna enjoy this big, wide bed for myself to my heart’s content. Move aside! And turn off the lights on your way out.”Jackson made his way out of the bedroom, shooting her multiple worried glances every few steps on his way. Then, on his way out, he switched off the lights and closed the door.Jackson admitted that he might have acted a little too anxiously, but he just could not help becoming more restrained whenever he was reminded of the new life now incubatin
With the lights turned off, the room became too dim for Mark to see the alluring contours of her body. Still, his tactile senses became sensitive to the suppleness of her skin.Perhaps all these nights neglecting the physical aspects of love made today’s act noticeably shorter than it usually was. As passion eased, Mark breathed into her ear, “I’m a bit… tired…”Arianne had not yet recovered from her daze. “Mm, understandable. You’ve spent your whole evening handling Smore. I would have been just as tired if it were me. Go to sleep.”The lingering yearning in him prompted him to nibble her earlobe. “Fine.”Arianne waited until Mark was soundly asleep before pulling out her phone. She had not had the time to check her notifications just now. Just as she thought, Tiffany’s texts were there. Apparently, her best friend had already booked Alejandro’s time for Arianne. The two of them were to meet each other in a café by tomorrow noontime.Arianne had not expected Tiffany to be so effi
She took advantage of the silence in the night and crept to the door of the guest bedroom. “Jackson… Are you asleep?”Less than two seconds later, the room door opened. Jackson appeared, barefoot and staring at her. “What?”She buried herself into his arms. “We’re back together again. Aren’t you happy? Why aren’t you reacting?”He pursed his lips. “What reaction did you expect from me? What kind of reaction could I possibly have at a time like this? That’s enough, go to bed. Get an early night’s rest. It’s late. Staying up like this would be bad for the baby.”Tiffany was extremely disappointed. It was as if the fire in her loins had been doused by a block of ice. “Fine, I’m going. I hate you!”Jackson rubbed his eyes as he watched her go back into her room. In reality, he was wide awake from excitement. He leaped off the bed to open the door and forgot to put on his slippers when he heard her voice. Except… He was too afraid to sleep with her. Only god knew how much she was suffe
Alejandro agreed easily as well. “Sure. I won’t tell him. If there’s nothing else, I’m going to go.”Arianne nodded. She got up, carrying the baby, and watched him leave.As Jett pushed his wheelchair out, she stared at Alejandro’s side profile, which felt strangely familiar. However, there was nothing familiar about his appearance. It felt strange. She carefully recalled every detail of her interaction with Alejandro. From his voice to his intonation, or the way he moved and gestured, it all felt foreign to her. But why did it also feel so familiar?She couldn’t figure it out, so she stopped trying. It was a long trip, the coffee shop had great air-conditioning, and she was tired. It was a great opportunity to rest and relax… Alejandro’s expression immediately turned cold when he got back into the car. His tightly clasped fingers betrayed his state of nervousness.“Why did you meet her, if you’re so worried about getting found out?” Jett asked softly. “I could have met her on yo
Jackson’s eyes shone with a smile. He put a helping of nutrient-rich congee to her lips. “It’s fine. My mom’s eager to feed you and let you sleep to your heart’s content. It’s like raising a pig. The fatter you are, the happier she’ll be. She’s already taking care of your lunch, while you’re having your breakfast right now. I’m her son, yet even I’ve never enjoyed such treatment.”Tiffany’s heart was overflowing with sweetness. “Why is your mom so nice to me? She’s nicer to me than my own mother. I’m just overwhelmed by her favor.”“I think she’s more eager to have you as her daughter, more so than her daughter-in-law,” he said, half-jokingly. “She’s always wished that I was a daughter instead, calling me a wet blanket demon, and apparently, I’m not as considerate as a daughter would be. I think you’re more of a killjoy than I am.”Tiffany smiled as she drank the congee, not even using a spoon. Her appetite was great. She finished the entire bowl, which Jackson took downstairs for h
Tiffany grew nervous. “Uh… Alejandro. I don’t know why.”Jackson’s expression sunk. “He knew about your pregnancy before I did? And he knows that you’re staying with me and delivered supplements to you? These are all maternity supplements…”She scratched her head nervously. “It’s not what you think! I told him first because I thought, what if he’s actually interested in me? This was the perfect way to get him to back off. I don’t know how he found out about me staying here though. I didn’t tell him!”Her explanation did nothing to soothe him. Jackson’s face was just as sullen as ever. “What am I supposed to think? Am I supposed to thank him for taking such good care of my woman and baby, if it is mine?”Tiffany was upset. “What do you mean ‘if it is mine’? Are you implying that it might not be yours? Fine. This baby is Alejandro’s. Are you happy? I had sex with him long ago. That’s why he’s so nice to me. Why have I gotten back together with you though? He has money and power too.
His tone was a little harsh. Arianne was in shock. “I-I… Why do I have to always stay home and take care of the baby? You’ve been so busy everyday because of the issues at work that we rarely ever get to see you. I was just trying to share your burden. In this house, no one is confined to just one job, just like how you take care of Smore too when you have the time. Why can’t I share the burden? I don’t think I’m surrendering at all, and my dignity certainly hasn’t been swept under the rug. The problem is solved. Isn’t that a good thing?”Mark’s emotions were slightly unhinged. “Forget it. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Don’t concern yourself with these issues anymore.”Arianne did not expect this reaction from him. She had considered the possibility of getting exposed, but it still made her feel uncomfortable. She never intended on being a good little housewife. She had done this for him. Did he have to display such a big reaction? Was ego that important to men? Besides, t