Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 542

**Chapter 542: The Baby**

Anneliese grasped the plastic bag tightly in her hand, her heart racing as she pulled out the small, white pregnancy test nestled inside. The two distinct lines on the test were unmistakable, a clear indication of the unexpected news.

Her gaze shifted to Jessica, who had already perched herself on the window seat, a familiar spot where they often shared their secrets and dreams. Jessica’s hand rested on her lower abdomen, her face a canvas of confusion and shock, devoid of the usual vibrancy that characterized her spirit.

This revelation had clearly taken her by surprise; it was evident that she hadn’t prepared herself for the possibility of becoming a mother. Anneliese felt a pang of sympathy for her friend, recognizing the whirlwind of emotions that must be swirling within her.

With a gentle resolve, Anneliese made her way to the window seat and settled down beside Jessica. She picked up the two cups of juice they had prepared for their little celebration, offering one to Jessica with a warm, encouraging smile. “We still need to welcome this little one who decided to join us for the New Year,” she said softly, hoping to bring a glimmer of positivity into this overwhelming moment.

Jessica had only begun to process her own reality after receiving the news from Jonathan earlier that day—that Anneliese had been rescued. The weight of that relief had barely settled when she had snuck out to buy a pregnancy test during Nishay’s nap. Now, even in this moment, she felt as if she were floating in a daze, unable to fully grasp the gravity of what was unfolding.

Pregnant. The word echoed in her mind like a distant thunderclap, both surreal and terrifying. Deep down, she understood that she and Zane had no future together; the thought of this baby felt like a cruel twist of fate. Panic gripped her heart as she wrestled with the reality that this child was an unplanned accident, one she felt utterly unprepared to face.

In her mind, she envisioned a world where this baby would not be welcomed, where it would be seen as a burden rather than a blessing. It felt unjust that the baby was already deemed unwanted before even taking its first breath. It was her fault, she thought, for allowing this situation to spiral out of control.

But as Anneliese spoke, Jessica felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. The warmth of Anneliese’s words wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, easing the sting in her heart. She accepted the juice, the cool glass feeling reassuring against her trembling fingers. With a soft clink, she tapped her glass against Anneliese’s, taking a tentative sip before her voice broke through the silence, rough and uncertain. “Annie, I…”

Anneliese noticed the way Jessica’s fingers trembled around the stem of her glass, a clear sign of her internal struggle. Without hesitation, she reached out, intertwining her fingers with Jessica’s cold ones. “Jess, remember what you told me earlier in the elevator? I felt the same way,” she said, her voice steady and filled with empathy.

Leaning in closer, Anneliese enveloped her friend in a warm embrace, a gesture of unwavering support. “No matter what you choose to do, I’m here for you. You don’t have to face this alone,” she reassured her, hoping to dispel the fear that lingered in the air.

Jessica buried her face in Anneliese’s neck, the familiar scent of her friend grounding her amidst the chaos of her thoughts. “Yeah, I know,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. Holding onto Anneliese, she felt some of her fear dissipate, if only for a moment.

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