Chapter 619
Jessica chuckled softly. “Yeah. My stomach suddenly cramped up in the car just now, and I was scared—scared of losing my baby. So even if that unreliable man isn’t dependable, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m having this child. He’s my baby p>
Anneliese held her hand. “I told you I’ll be there for you no matter what you choose. But, are you truly certain you won’t tell Zane p>
She shook her head. “I’m certain. He doesn’t care about me that much, and his family would never accept me. I was too naïve before. The reality is, he and I were never meant to be p>
She thought, I have always known that Zane and I aren’t meant for each other.
But once I become pregnant, I start hoping again-hoping that I can fight for a future for myself and my child.
But reality hits me hard.
If Anneliese hadn’t come tonight, I wouldn’t know how long I might have been trapped at the police station, or what could have happened to me. My baby might not have made it. And I can’t rely on Anneliese every single time.
Whether Zane is misled into leaving or his grandmother really has an emergency. The truth is the same: he knows I’m missing and still walks away without a second thought. Ultimately, he just doesn’t care enough.
I am done risking myself and my child’s future on a man who doesn’t value them.
Things haven’t even gone that far yet, and Gianna has already taught me such a harsh lesson. If Gianna ever finds out about my pregnancy, am I really expected to depend on Zane to take care of the baby and me?
She had thought it through. It’s time to remove the father from the equation and focus on the child.
Anneliese noticed Jessica’s reddening eyes, feeling a pang in her own heart.
“Jess, Jonathan mentioned that when Zane was younger, he was raised by his grandparents. His grandfather passed away, and he was very close to his grandma. It makes sense that he was anxious when he heard she had fallen. And he and Gianna-they’re not officially engaged yet. Nothing’s set in stone,” she explained.
Jessica still shook her head. “If it’s not Gianna, it’ll be Gianna Hart, Gianna Bennett, Gianna Sinclair, and there will always be someone else. It’s just not worth holding on any longer. It’s not like I can’t survive without Zane p>
Jessica lifted her shoulders. “Nowadays, many women decide to have children without wanting the man involved. And honestly? Even a sperm bank can’t guarantee that you’ll find a donor with genes as good as his. So if you look at it that way, I’m really not giving up anything, am I p>
She gave Anneliese a playful wink. Anneliese realized that she had truly made up her mind and simply nodded, letting the matter rest.
“You’re right. We won’t tell him, then. So—what’s your plan?” Anneliese inquired.
She thought, There’s no way Jessica can hide a pregnancy forever. Sooner or later, her belly will show.
And even though Zane’s family lives in Halden, his law firm is in Oceaton—that’s where he spends most of his time.
If Jessica wants to raise the baby on her own, staying in the same city as him clearly isn’t an option.
A faint excitement flickered in Jessica’s eyes. “Annie, I’ve saved up a bit over the past few years. I want to study abroad-pick up the dream I had before everything fell apart. Will you help me p>
Anneliese’s smile softened, seeing the color return to her face.
“Of course I’ll help you. You’re thinking about studying interior design overseas, right?” Her mind drifted back to that summer after their SAT exams-Jessica leaning on her shoulder as they sat on the bleachers, staring up at the endless night sky, dreaming out loud.
“Annie, one day I’m going to be an interior designer!” Jessica shouted.
Anneliese knew she had never really had a home of her own. She’d always yearned for one.
Maybe that was why she wanted so much to create homes for others.
Jessica had scored well on her SAT exam and got into Briarwood University’s architecture program. But just when she thought she’d finally escaped the suffocating Johnson Family and could chase her dreams, reality hit brutally.
The Johnson Family had quietly tampered with her college applications—and she didn’t even get a single day of university before her life became one long escape. “Annie, do you really think I can do it?” Jessica’s voice trembled.
She’d lost so many years, and now she was pregnant. Her confidence was barely hanging on.
But she also knew she couldn’t go on living like this.
Jessica wanted to change. She wanted a future she could actually see for herself-even if the road
ahead was covered in thornet
she
wanted to prove she wasnt inferior to anyone. She wanted her baby to be proud of her someday.
Anneliese pulled her into a warm hug. “I think you can absolutely do it. Look at the apartment you’re renting you decorated it so well the landlord took pictures and posted them in the neighborhood group chat People keep stopping by to ask for advice And hey lost my way for years too. But here I am, back on track. Let’s chase our dreams together p>