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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.

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    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 to the 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 up, 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 her. 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

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    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?‘