Chapter 4 She Is Pregnant

Yvonne fought against the magnetic pull of Shane's touch, forcing herself to bite down hard on her lower lip.

The sharp sting anchored her thoughts, preventing them from dissolving into the familiar haze of desire.

She couldn't afford to lose herself in this facade of intimacy anymore, not in a marriage devoid of genuine love.

Just then, the shrill ring of a phone pierced the intimate moment.

Shane showed no intention of stopping, but the persistent sound quickly disrupted his mood.

His eyes darted to the screen, and he let go of Yvonne.

The name "Jayde" illuminated the screen, and Yvonne also saw it.

History had taught Yvonne the pattern well. Other calls during such moments would be silenced by Shane without hesitation, but Jayde's calls were the exception. Whenever Jayde called Shane, Shane would answer immediately.

Shane's voice turned gentle as he answered the call. "I'm at home... She didn't mean anything against you; don't overthink it... Alright, I'll go to see you later..."

Yvonne sat up, adjusting her clothes. Her hands trembled as she buttoned her shirt.

Shane ended his call and turned to her with an amused smile playing on his lips. "Such haste to dress yourself-are you afraid of what I might do?"

Yvonne didn't say anything.

Shane stepped forward, his hands moving to assist with her buttons. "If you want them to stay fastened, join me for dinner downstairs now."

Recalling what had just happened, Yvonne acquiesced. Resistance, she had learned, was futile.

***

In the dining room, the maid, Zoey Rowe, had already prepared a feast of culinary excellence.

"Mrs. Brooks, you have lost so much weight. You need to eat more," Zoey said.

Shane's gaze traveled across the table, studying the woman eating before him.

Zoey's observation struck a chord-Yvonne's natural slenderness had indeed become more pronounced since her release from prison, her features carrying a new sharpness.

Though her beauty remained unchanged, Shane couldn't help but feel like Yvonne had changed somehow.

As Zoey transferred a portion of braised beef to Yvonne's plate, the rich aroma triggered an unexpected wave of nausea in Yvonne. She couldn't help but gag.

"Mrs. Brooks!" Zoey rushed to pour a glass of water for Yvonne, concern etching her features. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine." Yvonne regained her composure and rose from her chair. "I'm full now."

Shane's appetite vanished as he watched Yvonne leave.

Abandoning his meal, he stood up and prepared to leave the house.

"Mr. Brooks, you've barely touched your food," Zoey said.

"I need to step out." Shane shrugged into his coat, pausing to instruct, "The food in prison is bland-Yvonne's body needs time to readjust. Prepare lighter meals for now."

Zoey nodded and replied, "Yes, Mr. Brooks."

***

Upstairs, Yvonne had just reached her room when she heard the sound of a car engine from outside.

A bitter smile twisted her lips as she contemplated how quickly Shane had abandoned dinner to fulfill his promise to Jayde. It was clear Shane really loved Jayde.

Standing beside the floor-to-ceiling window, Yvonne watched Shane's car disappear into the distance.

As she closed her weary eyes, a startling realization jolted them open again-she realized she might be carrying a child.

The timing left little room for doubt. That day a month ago, Shane had refused to use protection.

Shane had always disliked using protection, claiming it felt restrictive, so she always took medication afterward.

She had planned to purchase preventive medication after visiting Maggie in the hospital that day, but grief had consumed her when Maggie had passed away unexpectedly. The pills had slipped from her mind entirely.

Thoughts whirled through Yvonne's head like autumn leaves in a storm until clarity finally emerged.

She hurried out to purchase a pregnancy test, her heart thundering against her ribs.

The two clear lines that appeared finally confirmed her suspicions with stark finality.

She just hadn't taken the pills one time. She had not expected to get pregnant so easily like this.

Yvonne's hand drifted to her lower abdomen, her emotions churning like a turbulent sea.

The cruel irony of fate struck her like a physical blow-just as she had steeled herself to end her marriage with Shane, she discovered she was carrying his child.

Sleep proved elusive that night, Yvonne's thoughts churning until exhaustion finally claimed her. When she woke up, the sky outside was bright. Shane had not come home the entire night, his side of the bed untouched.

After Yvonne made her way down for breakfast, Zoey burst into the dining room, barely containing her excitement beneath a veneer of hesitation.

"What has made you so excited?" Yvonne asked, studying Zoey's expression. "Did you win the lottery or something?"

"Mrs. Brooks, it's you who has made me excited!" Zoey produced a pregnancy test, her eyes sparkling. "I found this while cleaning. You are pregnant! This is wonderful news! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"

Yvonne's silence spoke volumes.

"Mrs. Brooks?" Zoey's enthusiasm dimmed. "Aren't you happy about this?"

Yvonne stirred her oatmeal slowly. "Zoey, I've already told Shane that I want a divorce."

The revelation struck Zoey like lightning.

"You want to divorce Mr. Brooks? How could you consider such a thing?" she said.

"Why can't I do that?" Yvonne's voice remained steady, masking her inner turmoil. "Haven't you noticed how great Shane and Jayde look together? They are the real loving couple here. I disrupted their relationship, claiming a title that wasn't rightfully mine and forcing them apart."

Her lips curved in self-mockery at her foolish dream that Shane might grow to love her one day.

Tears welled in Zoey's eyes. "Mrs. Brooks, I know this past year in prison brought you immense suffering. But that chapter has ended. You and Mr. Brooks can build something new together now. Eventually, Mr. Brooks will recognize your worth. Now, with you being pregnant, everything could change. Your child deserves a complete family-you can't proceed with the divorce."

Yvonne's movements stilled as memories of her own childhood surfaced. Orphaned young, she had been raised by her grandparents.

Though her grandparents had given her all the love they could, she had always envied other children who had both their parents.

She understood profoundly the importance of giving a child a complete family.

"Having children often changes a man's priorities," Zoey said gently. "Fatherhood has a way of grounding men, redirecting their focus to family. For your child's sake, shouldn't Mr. Brooks have a chance to prove himself?"

Yvonne nodded slightly.

Perhaps Zoey was right-her child deserved a chance at a complete family.

If Shane could maintain distance from Jayde, she would bury the past and make her marriage with Shane work.

After breakfast, Yvonne took a taxi to the Brooks Group.

Few employees knew of her marriage to Shane, so she called Shane's assistant, asking him to escort her to Shane's office.

She found Shane engaged in a phone call in his office, his lack of surprise at her appearance suggesting he had grown accustomed to her anger dissipating overnight.

The assistant provided Yvonne with a glass of water and then departed.

Shane ended his call and looked at Yvonne. "Why didn't you sleep in?"

"I've had sufficient sleep." Yvonne pointed at the thermos she had brought. "Zoey asked me to bring the soup to you."

"I'll have it later," Shane replied.

"Where were you last night, Shane?" Yvonne asked.

Shane's response came without hesitation. "Jayde wasn't feeling well and was admitted to the hospital. I stayed with her there."

Yvonne's fingers trembled when she heard that. After gathering her courage, she said, "If we had a child, would you spend more time at home?"

Shane's brow furrowed. "You want a child now?"

"Don't you want a child?" Yvonne asked.

Shane lit a cigarette, taking a drag before responding in measured tones, "Yvonne, now is not the right time for us to have a child."

Yvonne paused for a moment. "Why?"

Shane replied, "Jayde's health has been declining. If you became pregnant, you wouldn't be able to donate your blood to her."