CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 196- KISS

Janice lay on the bed, her wide eyes unfocused, the moment Charles left, a lonely feeling settled in her chest. Even the air around her seemed different, heavier somehow.

Just then, the phone on the bedside table rang—like fate, it called out to her heart. Instinctively, she reached for it, thinking of him.

"Charles?" Her voice was soft, laced with longing and dependence. On the other end, Charles’s low chuckle came through, warm and familiar. "You’re awake?"

"Yes. Are you at the airport?" Janice listened closely to the noise in the background, wishing she could be there with him. Wherever he was, she wanted to be close—only his presence made her feel safe.

"Yeah, about to board soon. It’ll be busy for a while. If I can’t call, don’t worry, okay? Just wait for me at home." The announcer’s voice on the airport speaker drowned out some of his words, but she held on tightly to his last promise.

"I understand. Come back soon!" Janice forced a comforting smile, not wanting to add to his burden. "I’ll take good care of myself... and the baby."

"I won’t keep you waiting long." His voice grew urgent, then he added softly, "Wife, I love you."

Her heart swelled with all kinds of emotions as his words echoed in her ears. He had waited for her for over a year, and now it was her turn to wait for him—not for long.

She gently touched the tiny life growing inside her belly, already over two months old. The mischievous memories of Charles’s teasing smile flickered in her mind. Soon, he would be able to feel their son inside her.

The thought made her cheeks flush crimson, warmth flooding her entire face.

Days passed without a single call from Charles. Without a phone of her own, Janice dared not leave the house, afraid she might miss his call. But after two weeks of living in anxious anticipation, her patience began to wear thin.

One day, Angela appeared, and Janice was so lost in thought she barely heard Trista calling her name.

"Mrs. Janet, Miss Angela and Miss Samantha are here!" A gentle voice pulled Janice back to reality. She looked up to see Angela and Samantha entering the living room.

"Janice..." Angela’s usual smile was in place, but a shadow of sadness lingered behind her eyes. She had visited once after Charles left, but back then Janice hadn’t noticed anything wrong. Now, she sensed Charles’s absence was about more than just work.

"Why do you look so worn out? Still suffering badly?" Samantha’s sharp eyes caught the pallor in Janice’s face. Earlier, she’d looked rosy, but now the pregnancy sickness seemed to be taking its toll.

"It’s okay, Samantha. Much better now." Janice poured tea for them and sank back against the sofa cushions, clutching a pillow.

"Has Charles called?" Angela asked first, her eyes probing yet caring.

Janice shook her head, voice tinged with loneliness. "He didn’t say how long he’d be gone. His phone’s off. Is he really that busy?"

"Don’t overthink it. Charles is a man of measure—he’ll be back soon. I promise." Samantha squeezed Janice’s hand firmly, whether comforting or convincing herself, Janice couldn’t tell.

Yet even beneath her words, a faint worry crept through her furrowed brows.

Brian had been gone for almost a month now. She was even more anxious than Janice. But at this moment, Angela and Samantha knew more than Janice—but they couldn’t tell her anything. Janice’s situation was more delicate now, and they had to protect her at all costs.

"By the way, where’s Shaun? Haven’t seen him around lately. Is it...?" Janice’s intuition screamed at her. The evasive looks and hesitant expressions on Angela and Samantha’s faces only deepened her unease.

"No, no. Shaun’s been swamped with work at the company, so he hasn’t had time to visit Trista. Next time, I’ll bring Callum along! That kid’s got a girlfriend now and doesn’t want to study properly anymore," Angela replied casually, but Janice could see through the forced lightness in her voice. She hadn’t even mentioned Shaun’s whereabouts, and Angela was quick to shut it down. Could it be that Shaun and Charles were together?

Janice recalled how Charles suddenly left for Australia because of Derrick and August’s affairs, disappearing without a trace. Only Shaun knew his whereabouts back then. She had begged Shaun to take her to Australia to find Charles. Could it be that they were secretly involved in something she had no idea about?

"Callum..." Angela just said Callum’s name when little Trista, playing nearby, suddenly twisted her small body and crawled into Angela’s arms with a joyful smile, calling out "Callum."

Since Charles left, Shaun had not appeared even once. Angela and Callum rarely showed up either, which only made Janice more suspicious.

"Oh, is Trista missing her brother? Auntie will bring brother to visit you next time, okay? Here’s a kiss!" Angela forced a smile, but Janice could sense something off in her eyes—a faint but unsettling sorrow.

"Ki-ss, ki-ss..." Trista puckered up and planted a sweet kiss on Angela’s cheek. Ever since Charles had strictly forbidden her from kissing Janice’s lips, Trista’s affectionate kisses were now only allowed on cheeks.

"You’ve got your prenatal checkup soon, right? Samantha and I will accompany you," Samantha said softly, her gaze falling on Janice’s noticeably growing belly.

"No need. There’s someone at home taking care of me. It’s nothing serious," Janice answered. Charles had arranged monthly doctor visits and always accompanied her before. But now, as the baby’s gender was about to be revealed, she found herself uninterested. Maybe it was fear of disappointment, or maybe because she couldn’t share this joy with him.

Janice gently caressed her belly, feeling the baby move more distinctly than with Trista. Back then, despite losing her sight, she could sense how small and delicate Trista was in her womb. This time, the baby seemed healthy and strong.

Angela and Samantha stayed for dinner before leaving, and Janice could tell they came specifically to keep her company. But behind their smiles and polite words, she felt an invisible barrier. She couldn’t get answers from them, and the more she thought about it, the heavier her heart became.

She had to find out where Charles was and what he was doing. Most importantly—was he safe?

Every time she recalled the strange things he said at the seaside resort, Janice felt a deep unease as she drifted off to sleep. Her mind was restless, her heart unsettled.