Chapter 16
Jessica looked up and saw a tall, imposing figure in front of her. She was somewhat shocked to
see Zachary.
He had stopped Celine’s hand from striking Jessica while wrapping another arm around Jessica’s waist. Before she realized it, she was held tightly against his chest.
He snapped, “You dare hit her?”
Zachary’s expression was dark, and his gaze was incredibly cold and sharp. His voice carried a chill as he spoke, and his grip on Celine’s wrist grew tighter with every word he said.
“Let go of me!” Celine yelped in pain, slapping at him while the caretaker rushed forward in a panic to intervene.
Zachary ignored both of them. Instead, he lowered his gaze to Jessica, her tear-stained face looking incredibly vulnerable.
- Just moments ago, his gaze had been cold and ruthless, yet now he seemed to sica with warmth in his eyes.
essica was stunned. It took her a long while before she finally reached out and tugged at his
hand. “She’s pregnant. Don’t stoop to her level.”
Only then did Zachary loosen his hold.
Celine recognized the man before her and staggered back a few steps, terror flashing across her face. “Mr. Jones…”
“What was it you just said? Who did you call a bastard?” Zachary’s gaze was razor-sharp, and
his tone was as cold as ice.
Still consumed by rage, Celine hadn’t yet realized what was going on. She spat, “Jessica’s nothing but
hadn’t even broken up with her boyfriend when she slept with another
eard. This time, the blow had come from Zachary.
ole place seemed to go quiet.
Celine clutched her cheek, only now realizing that Zachary was the bastard she was talking
about.
“Get lost. Don’t ever let me hear your voice again.” Zachary didn’t spare Celine another glance. Instead, he carefully brushed away the tears at the corners of Jessica’s eyes, gently caressing the red mark on her cheek where she had been hit.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Celine dared not cause more trouble. Clutching her swollen face, she ran out in a hurry.
Jessica stood there, unsure of what to do.
“Does it hurt?” Zachary asked.
Jessica steadied herself, trying to pull away from his embrace, but he only held her tighter.
“Did you get checked yet?” Zachary’s voice softened, and even his gaze seemed warm.
Jessica lowered her head. Her heart was pounding furiously, and her cheeks were flushed crimson. At some point, her hand had started to grip the fabric of his shirt. “Let me go first. People are watching…”
Only then did Zachary slowly release her. Beside them, Joshua pursed his lips and discreetly averted his gaze.
In the end, with all the commotion, Jessica didn’t even manage to get the checkup. The doctor was already off duty.
Jessica had no choice but to let Zachary take her hand and lead her into his car. Joshua stayed outside, leaving just the two of them in the heavy silence of the car.
Jessica asked, “Why did you come here?”
Zachary replied, “My aunt called me. She said that she saw you at the obstetrics department. I saw you dry-heaving this morning, so I made my way here.”
Zachary turned his head, his gaze falling on the woman whose whole face was flushed red. “If I hadn’t come, how long were you planning to keep this from me?”
Clutching the test slip, Jessica’s usual fiery temperament was gone. In front of him, all her bravado seemed to have vanished entirely. “I really did take the morning-after pill. And besides, I haven’t even done the checkup yet. I don’t know if…”
She started to speak cautiously.
Zachary’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “And if you are?”
“That has nothing to do with you.” Jessica hesitated for a moment, then pushed the car door open and stepped out. Zachary made no move to stop her.
“Nothing to do with me, you say,” Zachary muttered, leaning back against the car seat. He watched her silhouette shrink outside the window.
When Jessica said that it had nothing to do with him, it seemed like she was angry at him, just like how he had said the same thing to her the day before.
Joshua climbed in and sat in the driver’s seat. He noticed Zachary’s dark expression and didn’t dare ask anything, though it seemed he already understood more than enough.
“She’s more stubborn than a mule,” Zachary scoffed.
Joshua chuckled softly.
Back at her rented apartment, Jessica lay on the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. She held up the test slip, and the weighty words “early pregnancy screening” stared back at her. With a frustrated sigh, she tossed it onto the coffee table.
“Zachary…” she whispered before letting out a long sigh.
She didn’t know what she would do if she were really pregnant. Would she abort it? Or would she keep it and become a single mother like her mom?
Her mind was filled with questions as she scrolled to Zachary’s contact on her phone. She
stared at the digits in a daze.
“Jess! I know you’re home. Open the door!” Derrick shouted from outside. His tone was deep and heavy, and his ragged breathing made him sound intoxicated.
Jessica glanced at the door, grabbed a pillow, and pulled it over her head. She had expected Derrick to come, but not that soon.
Neighbors peeked out from their doors, whispering to one another.
Not wanting to cause a scene, Jessica grabbed her phone and walked toward the door. When she peered through the peephole, she saw Derrick swaying unsteadily. Even through the door, she could smell the disgusting scent of alcohol off him.
The instant she opened the door, a strong smell of alcohol hit her.
Before she could react, Derrick’s large frame pressed against her, pulling her into a suffocating hug. The door then slammed shut.
“Let go!” Jessica struggled, trying to push him away, but his grip tightened.
“Jess, I missed you…” Derrick’s voice broke into a sob as he rained frantic kisses on her.
She recoiled in disgust, shoving him away. Yet, he clung to her and refused to get off her.
“Derrick! You’re drunk! Don’t touch me!” Jessica shouted, but he somehow managed to force
her toward the couch.
Derrick was known for his physique. Against his strength, she had no way to fight back.
“I heard that you and Zachary are together now,” Derrick prodded.
Celine seemed to move with surprising speed. Jessica figured that she had probably been unhappy after being slapped and decided to cause trouble.
Derrick pinned her down, using one hand to hold both her wrists against her stomach, while the other braced against the couch as he loomed over her.
Jessica couldn’t move. His knees pressed down hard on her legs, trapping her completely.
Derrick continued, “You blocked me on social media, and even my number. Are you really this heartless?”
He accused, like an ignorant defendant.
Jessica retorted, “So what if it’s Zachary? He’s cleaner than you, richer than you, and has a better body than you!”
What came next was a loud smack.
Jessica screamed out in pain, realizing that Derrick had struck her. She went still, and tears started to spill out before she even realized it.
Derrick also froze. Only then did it sink in that he had hit her, the woman he loved. He bent down in a panic, frantically caressing her reddened cheek. He said guiltily, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
“Get your filthy hands off me!” Jessica spat through gritted teeth, secretly dialing Zachary’s
number.
Derrick said, “You still won’t forgive me…’
“You don’t deserve it!” Jessica shouted.
Derrick’s eyes reddened, and his throat tightened. The air grew heavy, and his heart skipped a beat. It felt as if even his blood had gone cold as he gripped her tighter.
Jessica bit her lip in pain.
Then, Derrick’s expression shifted into a soft, almost tender look.
Jessica’s heart sank, aware that the situation was dire.
He brushed her cheek carefully, trying to wipe away her tears. “Don’t cry. Let me love you. Zachary is an industry giant. He would never let you marry into his family, but I will. We could go abroad to somewhere where no one knows us…”
Jessica spat in his face. Then, she cursed, “You piece of trash! Keep dreaming!”
