Jeremy often felt a nagging pull, as though he needed to love Annabelle because she deserved it. Their days spent together in various places—hotels, new cities, fleeting moments—had left a trail of memories that spoke of his deep affection for her. But something still didn’t sit right.
His mind wandered, and he frowned as he sat there.
Annabelle, noticing the crease in his brow, gently touched his face. “Why are you frowning again? You should be careful, or you’ll get wrinkles,” she teased.
“It’s nothing,” Jeremy muttered, not in the mood to explain.
Annabelle hesitated before asking, her voice soft, “What if one day we have a child? What would we do then?”
The mention of a child stirred something inside Jeremy, and his thoughts quickly drifted to Natalie. She had mentioned wanting a baby, a wish that mirrored his own desires. His mind wrestled with the thought, and the change in his demeanor didn’t go unnoticed by Annabelle.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, sensing the shift in his mood.
Jeremy’s face became distant, and he spoke in a cold tone. “I’ve taken precautions. You won’t get pregnant.”
Annabelle’s eyes flickered, sensing the finality in his words. “Sometimes, precautions fail. What if—just what if—something happens? Should I keep the baby?” she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
Jeremy’s expression hardened like a mask, his response immediate. “Get rid of it. I don’t want a child right now.”
Annabelle felt the sting of his words. He remained unmoved, detached, unwilling to compromise. She couldn’t help but wonder: Did he truly want a child with Natalie?
To Annabelle, Natalie seemed lacking in comparison to her, in every way.
Victor, who had overheard the conversation, wasn’t surprised by Jeremy’s words. He could see clearly that Jeremy viewed Annabelle as little more than a temporary companion, not someone he saw a future with.
Annabelle, ever the obedient one, nodded with a faint smile. “Alright, I understand. You want to enjoy your time with just the two of us.” She was confident that, with time, she would find a way to make Jeremy forget about Natalie entirely.
Meanwhile, Skylar had been busy throughout the day, so immersed in her work that time had slipped away unnoticed. When she finally took a break and went to the restroom, she realized that her shift was nearly over.
After stretching and finishing up her tasks, she prepared to leave the office. As she walked out, she bumped into Alexander and Caleb.
Caleb seemed flustered when he saw her. “Skylar,” he greeted her awkwardly.
“How’s your leg healing?” Skylar asked with a warm smile, noticing his improved condition.
Caleb, eager to show off his progress, quickly moved around and gave her a little spin. “Almost fully healed. I can move around at a slow pace now. Are you getting used to working here? If Grandpa is overloading you with tasks, just let me know, and I’ll talk to him.”
Alexander turned to Caleb and gave him a gentle smack on the head. “What nonsense are you talking about? Do I look like someone who exploits his employees?”
Caleb rubbed his head, feigning pain. “Grandpa, are you trying to knock me out?”
Skylar chuckled at their playful banter. “I’m really enjoying my work here. Everything I do makes me happy.”
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