CHAPTER 190: CHAPTER 190- SERIOUSLY?

Janice had just slipped her shirt halfway over her head when the bathroom door slid open.

She gasped, flustered and furious, and immediately threw her pajama top at him. "Get out!"

"No can do," Charles said, completely unfazed. His sharp eyes swept over the glossy tiled floor, brows furrowing deeply. "I need someone to come in today and carpet the entire house."

Back when Janice had lost her sight, he had remodeled everything for her safety. But after she left, he’d restored it all to its original state. Now watching her rushing around without a care, he was practically losing his mind.

"You’re being ridiculous! I’m not blind anymore—I can see," Janice huffed as she tugged her shirt down and caught him still lingering at the doorway, looking way too serious.

"Don’t talk like that." Charles’s face darkened instantly. Without another word, he handed her a toothbrush with toothpaste already on it, then poured her a glass of warm water—like the world’s most qualified expectant father.

"Ternence invited us out for lunch. Let’s go," Janice said once he was dressed. A glance at the time told her they were cutting it close—she was supposed to meet Ternence soon. The call earlier had been from him.

Thinking of that phone call instantly soured her mood again. He’d thrown her phone. Just like that. No explanation, no apology. Her smile vanished completely as she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed downstairs.

"Trista, Mommy will be back to play with you later, okay? Mwah—my sweet baby..." She bent down to kiss her daughter, who was snuggled in Fiona’s arms. Trista nuzzled into her with a soft coo.

When she spotted Charles descending the stairs, she squirmed down from Fiona’s arms and toddled toward the front door.

Janice heard Fiona’s surprised exclamation behind her and flushed instantly. Charles must’ve told her about the pregnancy. Typical.

"Wait," he called out as she bent down to grab the door handle.

She turned just as his hand closed gently around her wrist.

"What now?" she asked, puzzled.

He didn’t respond right away—just looked pointedly at her feet.

Janice followed his gaze, blinking in confusion.

"You really have no sense of danger, do you? Change your shoes." He had already crouched in front of the shoe cabinet and retrieved a pair of flat canvas sneakers.

Like a noble lord lowering himself to serve, he knelt in front of her and held the shoes out with a calm expression that brooked no argument.

With a pout, Janice reluctantly lifted one foot. Watching him carefully slip the sneaker on for her, she secretly smiled. Who would’ve thought Elwinlord Charles would ever be caught helping a woman put on shoes?

But then again, she was carrying his child.

Charles drove painfully slow the entire ride. His gaze flicked to her every other minute like he couldn’t get enough of her face. Janice stared out the window, refusing to meet his eyes, though her occasional sideways glances betrayed her own restlessness.

Sweet. Bitter. Sticky. That was exactly how she felt.

If he was going to restrict her like this for the next nine months, how was she supposed to survive? She didn’t even getto be a real pregnant woman the last time. With Trista, she’d been bedridden the whole time, barely even aware of what was happening.

Now she finally understood how exhausting it could be.

Since they’d only made a brief appearance at Ternence’s wedding, he and Zoey had invited them out for a proper meal.

Janice spotted the couple immediately as they entered the elegant restaurant.

"Ternence!" she called out, waving. Then her eyes shifted to the poised woman beside him. "Sister-in-law," she greeted politely.

Zoey smiled faintly, her gaze brushing over Janice before lingering on the man behind her.

Charles, as usual, wore a cold expression. He pulled out Janice’s chair for her like a gentleman, but as she turned to sit, she stealthily pinched his side, giving him a sharp look.

Her eyes screamed, Say something. Be polite!

But Charles just sat down, utterly unmoved.

Then, like an afterthought, he nodded slightly toward the couple. "President Louis. Mrs. Louis. Congratulations on your wedding."

Janice almost coughed up blood.

Seriously? He couldn’t even call him Ternence? Using his last name like they were strangers at a business meeting?

"Thanks, Boss," Ternence said with a polite smile, not missing a beat.

He turned to Janice, ready to speak—but before he could get a word out, Charles pulled her down into the chair beside him and quipped, "Wife, unless you plan to sit on my lap, how about you stop standing there?"

The tender, doting tone and the deep, affectionate gaze Charles cast at Janice made Zoey’s eyes sting slightly. Her hand, resting under the table, was gently squeezed by Ternence. He could read the longing in her eyes whenever they glanced at Charles, and he knew—her marriage to him was a matter of duty, not love.

During the meal, just as Janice reached for the knife and fork in front of her, Charles swiftly took them away.

"Don’t move," he ordered softly. He slid the already-cut steak towards her, while swapping his own portion onto his plate with effortless confidence, seemingly oblivious to the sharp, unusual glances coming from across the table.

Then Charles smiled warmly at Janice. "I’ve heard pregnant women shouldn’t handle knives. Better be careful."

His focused, unwavering care made Janice flush, and she stammered a quiet assent.

Before she could recover, Ternence’s voice chimed in with surprise, "Janice, you’re pregnant?"

Janice blushed deeper and nodded shyly. Under the table, she nudged Charles with her foot, but he only smiled faintly, clearly savoring her embarrassment.

"That’s wonderful! I’m going to be an uncle again," Ternence said cheerfully, his words flowing more freely now. "Next time, bring Trista so I can see her. Dad misses her too!"

"Sure, if you have time, you and... Dad should come visit Trista. She’s not shy with people anymore," Janice said, finally calling him ’Dad’ softly—the two words she’d held back for so long. Seeing the pleased smile on Ternence’s face, she knew Ternence remembered her and Dad well.

Suddenly, Charles’s phone rang. He stood, excused himself with a brief greeting, and left the table.

Janice didn’t think much of it, but Ternence’s gaze darkened as he watched the direction Charles had gone.

"Ternence, I saw Elvira yesterday," Janice hesitated, then shared the news about Elvira’s condition.

"Janice, considering how she treated you... I want to say sorry on her behalf," Ternence said sincerely. He admired Janice’s generosity in letting go of grudges, and given his own complicated ties to Anila and Elvira, he carried a heavy burden of guilt. He felt responsible and deeply apologetic toward her.

"It’s all in the past, Ternence. Seeing her like this... I almost can’t bear it," Janice murmured, stirring her foie gras as her eyelashes fluttered.

Ternence held her hand, his eyes full of emotion.

Just then, Charles returned from his call. Seeing a figure draped in purple approaching, he frowned darkly.