"Ah?"

Skyler Jones chuckled, pecked Christine Quinn on the lips, and then walked out of the room.

Christine stood there, blushing, suddenly feeling like she had been teased by someone yet again.

Christine walked into the dining room with her head lowered.

Skyler Jones gentlemanly pulled out a chair for Christine and sat down beside his sweet wife.

Not seeing the kids around, Christine asked Mrs. Geoffrey curiously, "Where are Marie and Andrew?"

Mrs. Geoffrey replied lovingly, "They’re already full and went back to their rooms to play..."

"Yeah, sis, you and Skyler were in the room ’talking’ for so long, I could’ve watched an entire episode of a TV series," Becca teased from across Christine.

Howard Geoffrey, holding his sweet wife, jibed, "I’m usually not the impatient type..."

"But my sis is the impatient one..."

What?

Christine’s face flushed as red as a beet, glaring at Becca and Howard, wanting to explain but finding it impossible, finally under the table she fiercely stomped on Skyler Jones’ foot.

Unexpectedly, he acted as if nothing had happened, serving Christine some food, "Honey, you like this, eat more..."

Becca and Howard exchanged glances and tactfully left the dining room, with Mrs. Geoffrey quietly following suit.

In the end, only the couple’s flirtatious banter was left in the dining room...

Standing outside the dining room, watching the loving couple from afar, Mrs. Geoffrey finally felt relieved.

Becca unknowingly came to Mrs. Geoffrey’s side, suddenly calling out, "Mom, what are you looking at..."

Mrs. Geoffrey was taken aback, turned around, and smiled lovingly, "Look how loving they are..."

Becca nodded, "Good thing nothing happened."

Mrs. Geoffrey sighed gently and walked toward the hall, "It seems I misunderstood; Skyler truly cares for Christine."

Becca supported Mrs. Geoffrey and comforted, "Mom, don’t blame yourself too much... It proves that my sis and brother-in-law have enough trust between them."

"Mm."

Noticing Mrs. Geoffrey’s slightly furrowed brow, Becca asked attentively, "Mom, you still seem worried?"

"No..." Concealing her concerns, Mrs. Geoffrey smiled gently, "I’m just happy for them."

"Mm, don’t overthink. Your back pain has been acting up again recently; let me help you back to your room to rest early..."

"No need, go accompany Howard!"

"Then I’ll have the butler help you."

"Okay."

After Becca left, the butler came to Mrs. Geoffrey’s side.

Seeing Mrs. Geoffrey’s worried expression, the butler couldn’t help but say, "Madam, are you still worried about Mr. Jones and the young madam?"

Mrs. Geoffrey sighed gently, sitting on the sofa in the hall, "I’ve been worried about what Jennifer Douglas told me last time."

"Are you referring to the time you met with Jennifer?"

Mrs. Geoffrey nodded, "I didn’t tell Christine and Becca the truth. Actually, Jennifer was the one who sought me out that day. She showed me a purple diamond bracelet. You know, it was the bracelet that Skyler previously gave to her... She said she didn’t actually bid on it; Skyler, using his secretary’s name, bid it for her. She wanted to clarify that she wasn’t always unreciprocated..."

The butler was taken aback.

Night.

Skyler Jones came out of the bathroom after a shower, ready to savor a warm moment with his wife, but was surprised not to find her in the room.

He frowned and looked around, only to be hugged from behind suddenly.

Skyler chuckled softly, holding her hand dotingly, "What’s up?"

"I want you to be mentally prepared first."

Recalling that surprise Marie mentioned in the car, Skyler’s smile deepened, "Alright, what’s the surprise?"

Christine was taken aback, "You knew it was a surprise?"

Skyler turned around, wrapped his arms around her slender waist, "Our daughter told me this afternoon."

Christine looked at Skyler tentatively, biting her lip nervously, and finally said, "I..."

"Hmm?"

"I’m... I’m pregnant," Christine blurted out, shedding her tension in one go.

Skyler’s handsome, smiling face froze momentarily.

Noticing Skyler’s reaction, Christine was stunned on the spot, "What’s wrong, aren’t you happy?"

Skyler shook his head, embracing Christine gently, "Since when?"

Christine replied happily, "The doctor said it’s almost fifty days."

Skyler gently pushed Christine away, holding her delicate shoulders, asking softly, "Honey, why didn’t you tell me right away when you found out you were pregnant?"

Christine gazed straight at Skyler’s slightly serious face, "I wanted to surprise you."

Skyler furrowed his brow slightly but said nothing.

The expected surprised expression didn’t come, the anticipated joy was absent...

Christine’s heart felt as if it had suddenly been dipped in cold water, icy cold. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Suddenly, she pushed him away and walked towards the window, crossing her arms and gazing at the tranquil night outside.

Skyler walked over, turning her to face him, "Honey..."

Christine turned her head away, angry and unwilling to look at Skyler.

Skyler tried to pull Christine into his arms, but Christine resisted, pushing against his embrace.

Finally, Skyler could only quietly watch as Christine turned her face back to the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Christine..."

Skyler just began to speak when Christine turned her head to look at him, her eyes slightly red, her voice nasal, "I thought I could give you a surprise, didn’t expect your reaction to be like this."

"I’m not unhappy you’re pregnant..." Skyler tried to explain.

"You are very unhappy I’m pregnant."

"Christine!"

Christine swallowed the bitterness in her throat, dejectedly looking at Skyler, "Since I told you I’m pregnant till now, has there been even a hint of joy on your face? No..." She shook her head repeatedly, very disappointed.

"Christine..."

"Don’t call me!!"

Avoiding Skyler, who tried to approach her, Christine walked towards the room door by herself.

However, just as she reached out for the door, she was suddenly embraced from behind.

"Christine..."

Christine struggled vigorously against Skyler’s tight embrace, sobbing, "Since you don’t want me to be pregnant, just pretend I’m not. I’ll handle it myself; you don’t have to care."

"That’s not what I meant!!" Skyler finally turned Christine around, holding her tear-streaked delicate face, forcing her to look at him.

Grievance spelled in her teary eyes, her gaze was full of pain.