bChapter /bb74 /b

Jessica frowned, “Did he say anything else?”

Herbert shook his head. “No. He only made a point to remind you to eat on time.”

Jessica rested a hand on her belly. She thought, ‘Why would Brian suddenly care about my meals? Could it be… Did I give myself away during the dinner at Atkinson Manor?

Jessica shook off the thought. Even if she had, it didn’t matter. This child washers alone. Besides, it wasn’t Brian’s ce to worry about her meals.

bAs /bba /bmother, Ste knew how tough pregnancy could be, especially with morning sickness.

She bhadn’t /bbeen there for Jessica when Jacob was born, so she was determined topensate for missing Jessica’s first pregnancy.

She hired ba /bculinary team to prepare varied dishes for Jessica.

Later that afternoon, Madeline went to Hartdale bInternational /bBilingual School to pick up Jacob

He seemed happy to see her. “Maddie, I shared those snacks with everyone. They all loved them.”

“Really? I’ll get you even more next btime/b,” Madeline smiled.

Jacob was warmer than he had been the past couple of bdays/bb, /band Madeline’s mood lited ordingly.

At the same time, Madeline became even more convinced that Jessica must bhave /bput Jacob up to this. After all, a six–year–old kid bdidn’t /bdevelop such

restraint naturally

ndies.”

“Miss, thanks for the chips and candies.”

“You’re so pretty!” A few of Jacob’s close friends gave Madeline warm smiles and sweetpliments.

Beaming, Jacob took Madeline’s hand voluntarily.

Madeline smiled warmly, holding Jacob’s hand as they walked to the car. She gently suggested going to visit Brian at work.

“Yeah! Let’s bring Dad home together for dinner.” Jacob cheered.

Since Jessica’s departure, Brian’s relentless overtime had left Jacob dining alone more often than not. Weekends were the hardest for him. The empty vi amplified his loneliness.

He even felt a little resentful. So when Madeline nudged him toward the idea, he was thrilled.

When Madeline and Jacob entered Atkinson Group bhand /bin hand, chatting andughing, the receptionist snapped a photo and sent it to the group chat,

bThe /breceptionist was surprised, thinking, “Oh my! Madeline brought Mr. Atkinson’s son to thepany. bSince /bbwhen /bdoes a mistress parade the heir around like her own?”

Soon, the entire office knew Madeline’s good rtionship with Jacob. Before the elevator reached the top floor, the employees there were already prepared to ask her about it.

Madeline noticed the receptionist’s behavior–exactly as nned. In fact, one bof /bthe receptionists was practically her informant binside /bthepany. She couldn’t wait to let everyone know that she was close to Jacob, especially Jessies

Jessica did know it. She received the photo of Jacob beaming up at Madeline from the previous unknown number,

b1/3 /b

Jessica nced at it calmly, then set her phone aside. However, her faintly curled lips betrayed her frustration.

“Dad” Jacob ran ahead, entering the president’s office without knocking.

“Jake.” Brian was surprised at first, then asked, “How did you get here?”

“Maddie brought me over. I miss you, Dad. Can we all have dinner together? Jacob rushed over, leaning against Brian’s leg longing for closeness. He didn’t want to eat alone. He wanted both his parents with him.

“Sure. Let’s go home together for dinner,” Brian said gently. He ruffled Jacob’s hair and let him wait for him outside, feeling guilty for not being around muchtely

Madeline appeared moments bter/b, seamlessly ushering bJacob /bto her office.

Along the way, a few employees tried to engage with Jacob, talk to Jacob, her eyes burned with hostility.

, but Madeline shut them down with cold nces. Especially when female colleagues tried bto /b

Seeing Jacob follow Madeline into her office, many employees thought she had moved into Atkinson Vi, and that was why Jacob liked her.

Jessica’s phone buzzed with a text from Brian. (Jacob misses you. bEnt’s /bhave dinner tonight, okay?

Right before this text, Jessica had seen the photo of Madeline and Jacob, hand in hand, looking like a mother and son. Now, seeing this text, Jessica smirked bitterly.

She didn’t reply. Her stomach growled again. She picked up a piece of fruit and chewed it.

Brian waited a while for a reply that never came. With a sigh, hecked his phone screen and thought, “Be patient. It’ll take btime/b.”

The pastry chef he hired overseas wouldn’t arrive untilter that night.

As night fell, bBrian /bfinished work and went to Madeline’s office to pick up Jacob. When he opened the door, Jacob was sitting on the couch, homework.

Beside Jacob sat Madeline, watching him with a gentle, almost materal smile.

focused on

Brian paused. For a fleeting moment, the word “motherhood” crossed his mind. He almostughed at himself for seeing maternal warmth in an unmarried woman. But still, his gaze softened,

“Mr. Atkinson,” Madeline turned, her beyes /blighting up slightly bat /bthe sight of Brian. Brian gave her a nod

Jacob looked up.

“Dadi./i” His homework was done, and he bwas /bnow flipping through extra practice sheets

Brian said, i“/iJake, we’re having dinner bout /btonight.” Then he addedb, /bturning to Madeline, “Would you like to join us?”

Madeline had taken care of Jacob today. Sharing a meal was no big deal. To Brian, it was mere courtesy, no different from when Jessica used to bring her home for meals.

“I’d love to keep Jakepany.” Madeline’s voice nearly cracked with suppressed excitement. This was the first time Brian had binvited /bher to dine with him in a restaurant. It was different from eating at Atkinson Vi. It felt more personal.

Unaware of Madeline’s true feelings, Brian left the office with her and Jacob.

As they walked through the office corridors, Madeline deliberately asked Jacob what bhe /bwanted for dinner and chatted with him about maybe somewhere with toys or games for kids.

The employee nearby caught the conversation and hurried off to spread the news

11:05 Mon, 9 Jun G

Brian took them to a steakhouse, a Disney themed ce where kids got loys.

While Madeline yed with Jacob, Brian sent Jessica another message. Want anything delivered?

He hesitated, then sent: (Or should I bring it myself?]

Minutes passed, but there was no reply. Brian knew exactly what it meant. Jessica had no intention of responding

At Grant Group, Jessica stared at Brian’s messages.

Then, her phone buzzed again. It was a photo. In ba /bbrestaurant/b, Brian watched Jacob and Madeline bugh /band y.