Liam Robertson stepped forward. “Long time no see.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the bold sign—Obstetrics and Gynecology—standing out in plain view.
Liam smirked. “Don’t tell me you’re pregnant.”
He caught the flicker of panic in Jacklyn’s eyes.
“I just saw Eugene walking out with some woman in his arms. Isn’t he your husband? Why did he leave you here like this?”
He really had a sharp tongue. Every word hit right where it hurt.
Jacklyn felt a wave of dizziness crash over her. Her knees buckled slightly, but she managed to steady herself just in time.
Liam frowned. “Let me take you home.”
…
Back at Lloyd Manor, Jacklyn was still feeling dizzy.
Liam glanced at her pale face. “If you need help, I’m here.”
Jacklyn paused.
What could he help with?
She shook her head and gave him a quick thanks before hurrying inside.
The moment she stepped through the door, a maid was already waiting. “Mrs. Lloyd, allow me.”
Unlike usual, Jacklyn pulled the bag closer to her chest instead of handing it over. “It’s fine. I’ll carry it myself.”
Inside that bag was her prenatal checkup report. Giving it to the maid was no different from handing it straight to Eugene.
She’d already decided to keep the baby and ditch Eugene. The less he knew, the better.
The maid hesitated a moment before drawing her hand back. “Mr. Lloyd is waiting for you upstairs.”
What? Waiting for her?
Jacklyn paused for a moment, surprised. He was actually home early today.
Anyone watching the way he’d rushed around for Penelope at the hospital would’ve assumed she was his wife instead.
Jacklyn tucked the report away and went upstairs.
Eugene was standing by the window with one hand in his pocket and the other resting on the windowsill. His gaze was distant, like he was lost in thought.
As soon as he heard her steps, he asked coldly, “Who was the guy who dropped you off just now? I’ve never seen him.”
Everything in Lloyd Manor ran under Eugene’s watchful eye, including Jacklyn’s every action.
He was so pissed when he saw that man.
Jacklyn knew he meant Liam. She answered honestly, “He’s an old college friend. We hadn’t seen each other in years.”
“I see. Don’t talk to him again, okay?”
Eugene finally turned to face her. His eyes were dark with suspicion. He clearly didn’t believe her.
Jacklyn rolled her eyes in her mind.
She and Liam were completely innocent. But just because he was a man, Eugene jumped to conclusions.
She shot back, “Then, can you stop seeing Penelope for me?”
Eugene froze for a moment, caught off guard by her mention of Penelope.
Sure, he’d gotten worked up at the hospital and hadn’t considered Jacklyn’s feelings. But that wasn’t his fault. Penelope was pregnant with his child, after all.
“Jackie, don’t get the wrong idea. I only took her to the doctor because she’s pregnant. She’s your sister. The baby is your nephew. Can you really stand by and watch something happen to her?”
Eugene was really something else.
Jacklyn laughed bitterly. With just a few words, he had guilt-tripped her.
If Penelope actually saw her as a sister, she wouldn’t have become his mistress. Since Penelope had betrayed her first, why should Jacklyn show any kindness?
She stared straight at Eugene. “But… What does her pregnancy have to do with you? Don’t tell me the kid’s yours.”
She tossed it out casually like a joke, but Eugene’s face tightened. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but it was gone in a second.
“That’s not funny, Jackie. She’s your sister. I’m just helping her out as her brother-in-law.”
He walked over and pinched Jacklyn’s nose gently. His tone was soft and doting.
Jacklyn sneered silently. She felt nothing but disgust for him.
“Silly, are you really jealous of your sister?”
Jacklyn’s expression remained blank, but her nails dug deeply into her palm.
Eugene’s tactic of changing the subject was truly clever. Not only did it quickly diffuse the crisis, but it also made it impossible for Jacklyn to dwell on the issue any longer.
If he at least owned up to what he did, she might’ve respected him a little. But instead, he wanted both women, all while pretending to be innocent. Such a coward!
Eugene didn’t notice her change in mood. She stayed silent, and he assumed he’d won.
“Jackie, let me hug you. I just want to be with you forever.”
He pulled her into a hug, just like always, wanting to savor every bit of warmth.
Jacklyn flinched away instinctively. Her stomach churned.
Afraid he’d notice something was off, she made an excuse. “I’m not feeling well. I need a minute alone.”
Eugene’s eyes held a hint of reproach, but he didn’t push her further.
…
The next morning, Eugene got up early and headed straight to the kitchen.
He’d been thinking all night.
Jacklyn never rejected his hugs, but she had yesterday. There was only one explanation. She must have still been upset about him leaving her at the hospital.
Fair enough. That part was his fault.
Penelope was important, but Jacklyn was the love of his life.
The moment Jacklyn came downstairs, she froze. Eugene popped out of nowhere and hugged her from behind.
Before, that gesture would’ve melted her heart. Now, it made her skin crawl.
He didn’t even notice how stiff she’d become. Instead, he said gently, “Jackie, please don’t talk to strangers anymore. It’s not safe. I’ll be worried. If you need to go somewhere, I’ll send a driver, okay?”
Jacklyn was speechless.
He could spend every night tangled up with Penelope, but Liam giving her a ride home was suddenly a huge problem? What a walking double standard!
She wasn’t about to let it slide. “So what, you’re trying to keep tabs on me now?”
Eugene turned her around to face him and looked deeply into her eyes. “No, you’re my wife. Why would I keep tabs on you? I’m just worried you might misjudge people and end up in danger.”
What a perfect excuse.
Jacklyn’s gaze sharpened. “You’re right. I do have bad judgment.”
She couldn’t even see Eugene’s true colors before this.
As she stared at his familiar face, a wave of nausea surged in her stomach, as if something was about to burst out. She turned away quickly, grabbed a bag of cat food, and walked toward her cat.
Eugene stood there, stunned.
Was Jacklyn talking about him?
Then, he shook his head.
No way. She loved him too much for that.
