Chapter 5: Take Care of Her and The Child

"Jessica is pregnant."

Those three words hit Ella like a sledgehammer to the heart. The glass in her hand slipped. It shattered on the floor into pieces. Water splashed everywhere.

She stood frozen in place. She stared at Alexander. It was like she'd heard the most absurd joke in the world.

"Ah!" Jessica suddenly screamed. Her whole body stepped back. One hand protected her lower abdomen. The other hand pressed against the wall. Her face turned pale. "Ella, you scared me..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." Jessica's voice was small. It carried grievance. "I know you don't welcome me, but I really have nowhere else to go... If you really mind, I can leave..."

"Enough, Jessica." Alexander immediately walked over. He supported her arm. "You're pregnant. it's too dangerous for you to live alone. This is your home too."

He turned to Ella. His eyes held reproach. "Ella, stop throwing tantrums. Jessica is pregnant now. What if you scare her?"

Ella opened her mouth. But she found she couldn't speak. She watched Alexander carefully support Jessica. That movement. That look. It was full of nervousness and protectiveness.

He held Jessica's arm like he was protecting some precious treasure. Afraid of the slightest mistake.

"Come, I'll help you to the guest room to rest." Alexander said to Jessica. His voice was gentle. "The doctor said you need more rest now. Don't tire yourself."

Jessica obediently leaned on him. "Thank you, Alex. You're so good to me."

Ella watched them slowly walk up the stairs. Alexander had one hand supporting Jessica's waist. The other hand protected her lower abdomen. Every step was taken with extreme care.

She had never seen Alexander take care of her like this.

Not even when she was pregnant with Leo.

She looked down at the broken pieces and water on the floor. She suddenly laughed. Tears fell down. They dripped onto the broken glass.

At lunch time, the servants had prepared a whole table of dishes according to Alexander's instructions. All suitable for pregnant women.

Footsteps came from upstairs. Leo had woken up. He slowly walked down the stairs. He saw Alexander in the living room. His eyes instantly lit up.

"Daddy!" Leo ran over. His little face was full of expectation. "You're home!"

Alexander sat on the sofa. A laptop rested on his knees. He was handling emails. He didn't even look up. "Mm, Daddy's here."

"Daddy!" Leo tugged at his sleeve. His voice was excited. "Next week school has a parent-child activity. The teacher said both Mommy and Daddy should come! We can play games together and have a picnic! Can you come, Daddy?"

Alexander continued staring at the screen. His fingers tapped on the keyboard. "What? What did you say?"

Leo's smile froze for a moment. But he still repeated it again. "Next week's parent-child activity. Can you come, Daddy? All my classmates' daddies will be there..."

Alexander frowned. He glanced at the dense emails on his computer. Then at his calendar. "Next week? Next week I have to go to Europe on business. I'm negotiating a very important project. I might not have time... Mommy will go, right?"

Leo's expression changed instantly. Those expectant eyes dimmed. "But... but all the other classmates' daddies will be there..."

But before Leo could finish, Jessica's weak voice came from the stairs. "Alex?"

She held onto the railing. One hand protected her lower abdomen. She slowly walked down. Halfway down, she suddenly stopped. Her face turned pale. "I feel a little dizzy..."

Alexander immediately put down his computer. He rushed up to support her. "Careful! Come, I'll help you down."

He had one hand around Jessica's waist. The other hand supported her arm. He carefully helped her down to the sofa.

Leo stood nearby. His small hand still held the position of pulling his father's sleeve. The light in his eyes was completely extinguished.

Ella watched her son's disappointed expression. Her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. She walked over and crouched down. She forced a smile. "Baby, Mommy will go. Go back to your room first. Mommy will bring dinner up to eat with you later, okay?"

Leo turned to look at her. He said softly, "Okay."

He obediently turned and went upstairs. But there wasn't a trace of light in his eyes.

"Alex, my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable." Jessica sat on the sofa. One hand gently stroked her lower abdomen. Her voice was aggrieved. "Maybe this child knows his father is gone. That's why he's so restless..."

Alexander immediately became nervous. "Where does it hurt? Should we go to the hospital? I'll drive now—"

"No need. It just feels stuffy. Maybe I'm tired." Jessica said weakly. "Alex, can you stay with me?..."

Just then, Alexander's phone rang.

"Boss, there's a serious legal loophole in the acquisition case. The other party's legal team wants to withdraw!" The secretary's anxious voice came through the phone.

"Okay, I understand. I'll be right there." Alexander's face darkened. He looked at Jessica slumped on the sofa. Then at Ella standing by the dining table.

He paused. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Ella, Jessica is carrying the Blackwood family bloodline. You're my wife. Can you help me take care of her and the child in her belly?"

Without waiting for Ella to answer, he grabbed his car keys and headed for the door. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Ella stood in place. She looked at that door. She suddenly wanted to laugh.

She was his wife.

So she had to take care of the child in Jessica's belly—a child she didn't even know was his or his brother's?

What kind of logic was that?

"Ha." A cold laugh came from behind.

Ella turned her head. She saw the weak expression on Jessica's face disappear instantly. It was replaced by triumph and mockery. She crossed her legs. She leaned back on the sofa. She looked at Ella like a queen.

"Did you hear that? Alexander told you to take care of me." Jessica said slowly. A cold smile played at her lips. "Ella, I thought Alexander loved you so much. Turns out it's nothing special after all."

Ella didn't speak. She just stared at her.

"What are you standing there for?" Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Go get me a glass of warm water. Remember to add honey. I'm pregnant now. I need nutrition."