Chapter 4 A Bun In The Oven

"Ry-I mean, Mr. Haynes! What are you doing here?"

Jenessa was so startled that she fumbled for the right words, having been caught completely off guard.

When had Ryan arrived? How much had he overheard? She hurriedly ended the call, her jittery gaze searching Ryan's face for any signs of anger, feeling inexplicably scared and flustered.

"Weren't we supposed to visit Grandma at the hospital today?" Ryan asked, impatience evident in his tone.

Only then did Jenessa remember that they had indeed made plans that day. Lowering her head apologetically, she murmured, "I... I'm sorry."

"Hmph," Ryan grunted indifferently. As though unwilling to spare another glance at her, he turned around and walked out, saying briskly, "Let's go."

It took the dazed Jenessa a second before she snapped to her senses and quickly caught up to him.

On the way to the hospital, her mind was in turmoil.

A complex mix of emotions plagued her heart as she anxiously wondered if Ryan had overheard her conversation with Brinley.

But then she figured, if Ryan had heard that she planned to secretly raise their baby on her own, he wouldn't be so calm now.

The two sat side by side in the back seat in complete silence.

Naturally, Jenessa's distracted demeanor was a bit hard to ignore. Ryan couldn't stand it anymore. Brows furrowed, he turned his head slightly and demanded, "What's going on with you?"

His deep voice startled Jenessa, interrupting her thoughts.

"N-nothing," she stammered hastily.

"Is that so?" Ryan spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of doubt.

Jenessa's racing heart pounded in her chest. Just as she opened her mouth to defend herself, Ryan's magnetic voice suddenly sounded again, this time a lot closer to her ear.

"If it really is nothing, then why are you avoiding me? Why won't you look at me, hmm?"

Jenessa, frozen in place, dared not move an inch.

A barely audible scoff escaped Ryan as he reached out one hand, gently grasping the back of her neck.

From the corner of her eye, Jenessa saw him leaning in slowly. Was Ryan about to kiss her?!

The mere thought made her heart leap to her throat, and she instinctively closed her eyes.

But the passionate kiss never came. Instead, she felt the cool touch of his hand against her forehead, bringing with it a refreshing, pleasant scent.

"You don't have a fever, so why are you so pale?"

Ryan's words pulled Jenessa back to earth, realizing that he just wanted to check her temperature.

Jenessa forced a smile in an effort to conceal her disappointment. "I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me."

"I'm not worried about you," Ryan replied coldly. "I'm worried about Grandma. If she sees your pale face, she'll blame me for not taking good care of you." As he spoke, he looked at her with obvious disdain and disgust.

Jenessa stiffened, feeling cold all over as though she had been doused with ice-cold water.

"I-I'll touch up my makeup; she won't think I'm unwell," she murmured, forcing a smile.

Internally, she laughed bitterly at herself.

She was actually naive enough to think that Ryan cared about her, only to end up making a fool of herself.

How long would it take for her to gain some self-esteem? Reality was staring her in the face, yet she still chose to turn a blind eye to it. Obviously, Ryan's heart belonged to Maisie and Maisie alone.

The car soon pulled to a stop in front of the hospital.

After the two got out of the car, Jenessa walked several steps behind Ryan, gradually falling farther behind.

Suddenly, Ryan stopped in his tracks and turned to glance at her from over his shoulder.

"Come here and hold my hand," he ordered unfeelingly.

Jenessa froze, confusion written all over her face.

Growing increasingly impatient, Ryan frowned and said icily, "Jenessa, if you want a divorce, that's fine with me. But don't you dare make a scene in front of Grandma and upset her, understood?"

Feeling wronged, Jenessa wanted to argue, but when she noticed the group of nurses passing by, she decided to keep her mouth shut. If she got into a fight with Ryan here, word would inevitably reach his grandma.

She sighed inwardly, walked up to Ryan, and begrudgingly took his arm.

With her soft body pressed against him, Ryan felt a strange sense of attachment. But he quickly suppressed the fleeting emotion and briskly led Jenessa to a hospital room.

As soon as they entered, Nadine Haynes, Ryan's grandma, grinned from ear to ear.

"Jenessa, Ryan, you're here!"

The couple walked forward together, greeting the old lady.

Reaching out to hold Jenessa's smooth hand in her wrinkled one, Nadine smiled fondly.

"Moments ago, a fellow patient's family brought their little baby to visit. You should've seen it; their baby is so adorable! Jenessa, dear, when do you two plan to have one?"

Before Jenessa could respond, Nadine glanced at her belly and teased, "Or maybe there's already a bun in the oven, huh?"

Jenessa went as stiff as a board, a flustered look flashing in her eyes.

Did Nadine know something?