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    While Jessica and Brian enjoyed their happy moments, chaos reigned in another part of the city. Madeline’s parents were

    frantic.

    “Where the hell is Madeline? Miguel’s engagement is about to be finalized, but she has disappeared!” Peter roared, kicking over a chair in fury.

    Grace stood frozen, too afraid to intervene.

    Miguel paced, his frustration boiling over. “Enough yelling. We need to find her. If I don’t get that down payment for the house, Candice’s family will call off the engagement.”

    He tugged at his hair. His resentment toward Madeline deepened. He thought, ‘Selfish bitch. She won’t even help me.’

    “Who knows where she is hiding this time?” Peter snarled. “Let her try and hide forever. If she ever shows her face again, I’ll break both her legs.”

    Miguel’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Break her legs… That’s it!”

    Grace blinked. “What’s it?”

    “A way to get money.” Miguel smirked. “Aren’t Madeline’s ID papers still here?”

    “Yeah. Why are you asking that?” Peter frowned, confused.

    Miguel’s grin widened. “Remember Sean Hunter? The guy who offered 150 thousand dors for a bride? I think my dear sister would be perfect.”

    Peter and Grace’s eyes gleamed at the idea.

    “Brilliant! Grace, get Madeline’s documents. We’re taking her to Sean today,” Peter urged eagerly.

    “But we don’t even know where she is. Will Sean pay without seeing her?” Grace hesitated, worried they might end up

    empty–handed.

    “Of course! I’m her father, and you’re her mother. We’ll sign the marriage contract first. Once we find her, she’ll have no choice but toply,” Peter scoffed.

    “Dad is right, Mom, Sean is connected to the underworld. Once the papers are signed, she can’t refuse,” Miguel sneered.

    “Perfect. We’ll use the money for the house down payment first, then hunt Madeline down. When we find her, I’ll break her legs and deliver her to Sean. Let’s see her try escaping then,” Peter snorted, his face twisted with malice.

    Madeline’s defiance had crossed a line/ This time, Peter wouldn’t hold back.

    “Fine. I’ll get the papers. Let’s go before someone else snatches Sean’s offer,” Grace said, hurrying inside a room.

    Peter agreed, instructing Miguel to call Sean immediately. To their delight, Sean approved Madeline’s profile on the spot.

    By afternoon, the contract was signed, binding Madeline to a man old enough to be her father, without her knowledge.

    15:56 Sat, 30 Aug 00

    Her parents left the same day, cash in hand, to shop for Miguel’s wedding house.

    Under Brian’s attentive care, Jessica’s pregnancy progressed smoothly.

    The more time they spent together, the more she noticed his obsession with listening to the babies‘ movements. Given any opportunity, he would press his ear to her belly, and once he realized Jessica didn’t mind, hepletely let loose.

    Some days, Jessica would catch him grinning like a fool against her belly multiple times, and she thought, ‘People say pregnancy makes women stupid for three years. I haven’t gone dumb yet. Brian, on the other hand, seems to have turned into aplete softie.”

    Brian remained oblivious to her thoughts, not that he would care even if he knew. Packing thest of their essentials, he said, “Jessi, we’re all set. Let’s go.” They had an appointment at a prenatal ss farther away today.

    This was another recent development. Brian had be obsessed with prenatal education–scouring online courses, researching top institutions, and dragging Jessica along to trial sses.

    Yet the moment Jessica showed even a hint of boredom, he would whisk her off to rest and take over the session himself,ter replicating the lessons at home. He had truly embraced fatherhood with relentless dedication.

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    By the time they left the center, the sun had dipped below the horizon.

    “Jessi, dinner at home or out?” Brian asked, carrying a gift bag from the ss in one hand and Jessica’s purse in the other as he guided her to the car. With Jacob staying at Atkinson Manor with Gavin, they had no rush to return.

    “Let’s eat out. A walk after dinner would be nice.” Jessica hadn’t dined outside in a while. Brian’s cooking was great, but

    variety mattered.

    “Got it.” Brian started to suggest some nearby restaurants.

    Jessica settled on tacos. “I’m craving something spicy.”

    “Let’s go then.” Brian, long ustomed to her whims, drove her over, only to find the trendy spot packed, a snaking line out front thanks to a Friday promotion.

    “Want to switch?” Brian eyed the crowd, already calcting if pulling strings could expedite things. Normally, he would never abuse privilege, but Jessica’s hunger trumped principles.

    “No, I’m not that hungry yet. We can wait in line. The breeze feels good,” Jessica said with a smile.

    Respecting her choice, Brian refused to let her stand. Luckily, the restaurant had outdoor seating. He secured her the best chair, handed her water, and confirmed she wasfortable before saying, “I’ll queue up.”