bhapter /bb496 /b

    With Jessica’s approval, Brian took her to one of the selected prenatal institutions the next day.

    11%

    +23

    Most of the programs offered were ones Jessica had experienced during her pregnancy with Jacob. Though years had passed, little had changed, so she participated casually.

    In contrast, Brian treated it with solemn dedication. He listened intently to every lecture, requested extra practice during hands–on sessions, and took meticulous notes, immediately asking instructors whenever he had questions.

    Amused, Jessica eventually imed fatigue and sat back to watch Brian’s earnest efforts. She thought, ‘Serves you right.

    Now you know raising a child isn’t easy.‘

    But soon, a pang of regret struck her. She wondered, ‘What if I hadn’t been iso /iindependent back then? What if I had asked

    Brian to go through this with me? Would things have been different?‘

    “Lost in thought?” Brian’s gentle voice pulled Jessica back.

    Jessica blinked up at him, now standing beside her, notebook in hand. She smiled, “Just wondering why I never dragged

    you along to this when I was pregnant with Jake.”

    Brian froze. That wasn’t the response he had expected.

    Jessica bit her lower lip, instantly regretting her words. She wondered, ‘Why did I say that out loud? Have these days with

    him made me drop my guard? Is that good?‘

    “I should’ve been there,” Brian said, regret heavy in his voice.

    Jessica shook her head. “You couldn’t have. You’d just taken over thepany, barely had time to eat, let alone attend

    parenting sses.”

    Brian’s gaze dropped, too ashamed to meet her eyes. “I’m sorry. I failed you.”

    A bitter realization settled over him. He thought, ‘Jessi was just as busy back then. Even in her third trimester, she worked

    alongside me, wlessly managing the secretariat withoutint.

    She gave everything–for thepany and our family. But I took it all for granted until there was nothing left.”

    Looking back, Brian couldn’t fathorn why she had ever loved him.

    The bted apology only darkened Jessica’s mood. She turned away stiffly, her voice t. “It’s in the past,” Life moved forward, Dwelling on what couldn’t be changed was pointless.

    Brian’s chest tightened, but he masked his pain, fearing his emotions might burden her. Clenching his fists, he forced a smile, “You’re right. It’s over, I won’t miss anything this time.” He would never repeat those mistakes.

    Jessica shrugged. “Suit yourself.” If he failed again, so be it. She bhad /blong since learned to rely on herself.

    Brian ached at her lingering distrust but didn’t know how to prove himself. Desperate, heter posted about their day online, only to be met with vicious bacsh: [Disgusting. Using your ex–wife for PR stunts? Money can buy

    b1/3 /b

    15:54 Sat, 30 Aug 0b. /b

    shamelessness.]

    [It was a stunt. Just wait. Atkinson Group willunch some ‘parenting‘ products tomorrow.]

    [Exactly. Bet it’s something baby–rted. Capitalists will mize anything. Boycott Atkinson Group!]

    [With a CEO this heartless, bankruptcy’s inevitable. I’m done with their products.]

    $11%.

    b+23 /b

    [Same here. I stopped buying their stuff already. Now I just feel sick seeing that name. I once genuinely wished him well.

    Damn it!]

    [AIN fake. The Nation’s Most Devoted Ex–Husband? He’s more like the Nation’s Biggest Fraud.]

    [Employees at Atkinson Group, quit before this monster bankrupts you.]

    [Time to switch jobs before thepany crashes and burns, and you’re left unpaid.]

    Suddenly, thousands ofments flooded thepany’s ount, urging the staff to resign.

    rmed, PR teams scrambled. After consulting Brian, they issued a swift statement.

    Netizens hurling insults under Brian’s tweet soon noticed Atkinson Group trending again. It was an official announcement, confirming Brian’s resignation, apanied by surveince footage of his board meeting where he declined all attempts

    to retain him.

    The announcement and video went viral. Reactions exploded: [Wait! He quit?]

    [Holy shit. He gave up his career for Ms. Grant. If that’s not love, what is?]

    [My faith in romance restored.]

    [Don’t celebrate yet. This icould /ibe reverse PR. Brian still holds the position. He can return anytime.]

    [Total stunt. He is just salvaging his ruined reputation.]

    [Stop using Ms. Grant already. Exin the cheating first, asshole! Resigning changes nothing.]

    [Rumor says that bitch is still around.]

    [Don’t spread rumors. Mr. Atkinson has never had any kind of rtionship with Madeline. She acted alone, Mr. Atkinson fired and deported her the moment he uncovered her schemes. But she sneaked back. Mr. Atkinson had no clue.]

    [I can vouch for that. I was assigned to monitor Madeline overseas. But she had arranged a body double to fool everyone. If you don’t believe me, check my travel vlogs for proof.)

    [Me too. I worked in the secretary’s department before. Madeline kept seducing Brian, but he never even looked her way. Trust me. His heart was always Jessica’s.]

    [Exactly. He truly loves Jessica.)

    Many current and former employees of Atkinson Group defended Brian, sharing various pieces of evidence. Slowly, public

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    15:54 Sat, 30 Aug 0

    sentiment shifted.

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    “I want you to.” The words spilled out before Brian could stop them. He needed Jessica to rely on him, to punish him for his past neglect. Only then might his guilt ease.

    Jessicaughed at his earnest expression. “Sorry to disappoint. I don’t make a habit of burdening others.” Revenge through torment? It was exhausting and pointless. If she despised someone, she cut ties cleanly.

    Disappointment flickered in Brian’s eyes. He escorted her back to the bedroom but lingered at the door.

    “Something else?” Jessica set her ss down, turning to find him still there.

    Brian hesitated before asking, “Can I sleep outside your room?”

    “What?” Jessica thought she must’ve misheard. Otherwise, how could she have possibly heard such an absurd request?

    Brian didn’t hesitate any longer. He exined, “I worry about you getting up at night alone. I’ll stay perfectly quiet, just

    outside the door.”

    “That’s not my concern,” Jessica said, shaking her head.

    Brian frowned, confused.

    Seeing that he still hadn’t caught on, Jessica decided to be straightforward. “How exactly would you sleep out there? On the floor? For three months until delivery?”

    “Is that… a problem?” Brian had been thinking along those lines, and he didn’t think there was any problem.

    Jessica inhaled sharply. “No. Go back to your room.” She wasn’t some tyrant forcing him into floor–bound penance.

    Brian’s shoulders slumped, but he obeyed, leaving with palpable dejection.

    Jessica red at his back and thought, ‘That wounded look. He acts like I’m the viin here. When all I’m doing is looking

    out for his well–being.‘

    Giving up, she yanked the quilt over her head and willed herself back to sleep.

    The next morning, Jessica woke up, and Brian had already prepared breakfast.

    Their day unfolded much like the previous one, until bedtime, when Brian once again broached the subject of sleeping outside her door. His persistence made it clear he wouldn’t drop the matter anytime soon.

    Jessica rubbed her temples, then scanned her spacious bedroom, her gaze settling on the single–seater sofa against the wall. After a brief silence, she said, “Have someone rece that with a quality couch tomorrow.”

    “Is that broken?” Brian blinked, momentarily confused.

    Jessica shot him a look. “What do you think?” She turned and shut the door behind her.

    10%

    It took Brian a second to process her meaning. Then, his eyes lit up. He stared at the door and grinned, practically glowing with joy.

    By the next morning, a plush couch had been ced in Jessica’s room. That night, Brian followed her inside cautiously, hardly daring to believe she hadn’t kicked him out. Overwhelmed with joy, he tossed and turned on the sofa, too

    exhrated to fall asleep.

    Jessica, trying to drift off, endured the rustling sounds for as long as she could before snapping on themp. “Either sleep

    or get out.”

    Brian froze instantly. After a few seconds, he whispered, “Did I wake you?”

    “No, but your endless fidgeting kept me awake,” she grumbled.

    “Sorry.” Brian’s apology was swift, his deep eyes fixed intently on her.

    Jessica frowned, “Why are you staring?”

    “Jessi, you’re so kind,” Brian blurted out. Despite all his past mistakes, she was still giving him a chance, even letting him stay in her room because she couldn’t bear him sleeping on the floor. The new couch was just another gesture that moved him deeply.

    “You don’t have to tell me that,” Jessica retorted.

    Brian smiled, unfazed. Then, his gaze drifted to her belly. After a brief hesitation, he couldn’t resist asking, “Jessi, can I say goodnight to the babies?”

    “You couldn’t sleep because of this?” Jessica found his childish earnestness almost amusing.

    Brian didn’t correct her assumption, simply watching her with hopeful eyes.

    Jessica rested a hand on her belly, feeling the faint movements beneath. After a moment, she nodded. Brian was their

    father, after all.

    Brian’s face lit up. He hurried ito /ithe bedside, kneeling to press his ear gently against her belly.

    Perhaps sensing it was bedtime, the babies stayed quiet this time, no yful kicks, Brian listened to their steady heartbeats, contentment washing over him.

    After a minute, he straightened iup/i, carefully tucking the quilt around Jessica. “Sleep well, Jessi,” he murmured, his voice impossibly tender, his deep–set eyes brimming with affection.

    Jessica looked away, afraid she might drown in that gaze. “You too.”

    “Goodnight.” Brian turned off the light, pausing for a second before retreating to the couch.

    For a fleeting moment, he had nearly leaned in to kiss bher/b. He thought, ‘This is enough. Don’t ruin it by wanting more.”

    In the darkness, Jessica watched his tall figure move away, her fingers tightening slightly. She wouldn’t admit it, but part

    15:56 Sat, 30 Aug 0

    of her had wanted him to stay beside her like before their divorce. But things were different. Reconciliation wasn’t something she had even considered yet.

    Lying on the bed, Jessica reyed the past few days. She thought, ‘Brian exined everything about Madeline and promised to keep her away. Recently, he has been genuinely caring. His feelings for me are real.‘

    Logically, remarrying made sense. Yet Jessica couldn’t bring herself to agree. Madeline had been the spark, but the divorce ran deeper than just her.

    Jessica thought, ‘Let’s wait until the babies are born. We have time, don’t we?‘

    E