Chapter 87
Madeline dragged herself back to her office, her mind spinning. She refreshed Jessica’s Instagram feed obsessively, but there were still no new pos
The memory of Jessica’s morning sickness made her clench her fists so hard her nails bit into her palms,
She thought. “No way that conniving Jessica is actually pregnant–right? Not when everything is finally falling into place!
She refused to let Brian and Jacobs slip through her fingers now. A calculating glint it up her eyes.
At Grant Group, Jessica let out a double sneeze. “Great, ans I getting sick?” she mutteredl.
Just then, Madeline’s text popped up. Jessi, it feels like forever. I’m at your go to restaurant, waiting for you at 7 tonight. Can’t wait!]
k me out?!
Jessica scoffed, thinking, ‘How does Madeline have the gall to ask me
She ignored the message, rubbing her temples. Too many desserts were catching up with her–her stomach churned, killing her appetite.
Meanwhile, Brian watched Jessica through the security cameras, frowning at her listless demeanor. He’d already cut back on the sweets on her desk yesterday.
Grabbing the office phone, he ordered, “Send the Chicken Caesar Salad to Grant Group, stat”
That Michelin–starred chef he’d begged favors to hire had been slaving away in his rented villa kitchen since landing. Along with the salad, he’d whipped up a batch of cream mushroom soup and toasted bread.
Brian’s guys worked like clockwork. Within minutes, Grant Group’s receptionist buzzed Herbert to pick up the insulated food boxes. Jessica knew instantly who’d sent them.
She tried to resist, but her empty stomach protested. The dizziness from low blood sugar was getting hard to ignore.
The moment she cracked open the first container, the rich aroma of cream mushrooms soup hit her nose, making her mouth water.
As Herbert unpacked the rest, each dish looked more mouthwatering than the last.
Brian finally exhaled as he watched Jessica dig in. That favor pulling had been worth every headache,
Madeline waited in the restaurant for 30 minutes, but Jessica never showed. She fired off another test, but got radio silence in return.
Her jaw tightened. Earlier that day, she’d casually mentioned picking up Jacob from school. Brian shot her down flat–the first time ever when it came to Jacob.
Madeline thought, if he and Jessica get back together, what chance do I have? Jessica will probably fire me, or worse, blacklist me from Hartdale’s entire
social scene
Meanwhile, Jessica missed Madeline’s desperate texts promising to wait all night. She was in her speed.
eye–rolling as the car beside hers matched her
Jacob plastered his face against the window. “Mom! Check out my pig nose!” He wiggled his tongue and smushed his nose into the glass, pulling goofy
faces.
1/3
Chapter 87
Jessica averted her eyes.
“Give your mom a break.” Brian scooped Jacob aside
The boy deflated with an “okay” All that effort, and not even a smirk from her.
Leaning back, Jessica conked out mid–drive. Brian watched the driver call her name repeatedly before she finally roused, bleary eyed.
Early pregnancy meant nausea and non–stop latigue.
That afternoon, Madeline picked out a beautifully wrapped fruit basket. But hidden beneath the fresh–looking produce were rotten fruits–she’d specifically asked the shopkeeper to pack it that way.
Without a word, the receptionist swiveled and dialed the president’s office. “Ms. Grant, there’s a Madeline here asking to meet you.”
Madeline’s smile wavered. It to of Grant Group’s lobby.
She couldn’t bring herself to think about the years s this level of devotion from Jessica.
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