OPEN Chapter 3 Jessie couldn't listen anymore . She shut off her phone , her hands trembling , the silence around her filled only by the quiet fall of tears . So she had never brought Nelson peace . Not once . She wiped at her face slowly , methodically - trying to collect herself . She didn't know who had sent that recording . And right now , she didn't care . Her hand moved to her abdomen , fingertips brushing lightly over her stomach . Right . She couldn't give birth to his child . She couldn't let this child be born at all . Her breath caught . Then she picked up her phone and made a call . " Jessie ? Is that you ? " came a familiar voice . " Eliot , is there any chance your hospital can add one more operation tomorrow morning ? " " What kind of operation ? I'll talk to the head of the department . " " Induced abortion . " Last night , after Nelson had left , he'd sent her only one message : [ Jessie , I'm not coming home tonight - had too much to drink . I'll head straight to the office in the morning . See you tomorrow night . ] And yet this morning , the man who claimed to be at work ... was here . At the hospital . Jessie saw him from a distance - his arm protectively wrapped around Lila as they walked through the obstetrics wing . The waiting area was crowded with pregnant women , but even through the cluster of patients and nurses , Jessie saw clearly : Nelson was shielding Lila in a quiet corner , holding her close with the same fierce protectiveness he once reserved for Jessie . Chapter 3 2.63 % WebNovel N Enter a world of power and adventure ! Cultivation 4.3 FREE Google Play OPEN Online a Online awaits you - start reading now ! Lila looked up at him with a soft smile . " Nelson , I'm fine . It's just a check - up . Everyone here's pregnant - you don't have to panic . " His voice was low , but strained with restraint . " I told you to go to a private hospital . You insisted on coming here . There's nothing good about this place . " Lila's eyes dimmed , her smile fading . " Nelson ... I'm just the daughter of a housekeeper . I was never meant for a life like yours - or hers . Public hospitals are more affordable . I don't want to waste your money . " Nelson's expression softened , pain flickering across his sharp features . The way he looked at her ... was full of tenderness . " Jessie always demanded the most expensive , the rarest things money could buy , " Nelson said . " One of her handbags could pay your salary for ten years . She was never as thoughtful as you , " he added , his voice low as he held Lila close and pressed a kiss to her hair . Just a few feet away , Jessie stood with her back to them her body rigid under a long coat , hat pulled low , face hidden behind a mask . Considerate ? The word cut like glass . She remembered the night before their wedding , when Nelson transferred all of his holdings in the Voss Group into her name . He'd looked at her and said with that charming smile : " Jessie , I only buy you the most expensive , the newest . My princess deserves to be spoiled- nothing less . " Now she stood here , in disguise , hearing him say the very same things to someone else . She blinked back tears as his next words drifted across the hallway : " The Rosemont estate was my parents ' - you'll stay there for the final months . And that green diamond I won at the Montclair auction ? I've had it set into a ring . Consider it your wedding band . " Jessie's long lashes fluttered , and suddenly her vision blurred . Chapter 3 2.63 % The green diamond from the Montclair auction . She had once told Nelson the story of that exact gem - how green diamonds symbolized uniqueness , how rare and precious they were . She'd begged him for one , years ago , swearing it meant forever . And now ... he was giving it to someone else . " Do you think Ms. Hale will like the bag I picked out for her ? " Lila asked gently . " Of course she will , " Nelson replied . " You spent three hours choosing it . I appreciate you going through the trouble . " Lila rested her hand on her belly , her voice soft , her expression carefully mournful . " Jessie is , after all , going to raise my child . She's the baby's legal mother . I want her to like me for the baby's sake . " Nelson's eyes clouded , voice thick with emotion . " Thank you , Lila . Thank you for being willing to give the baby to Jessie . With her as the official guardian , the child can rightfully inherit the Voss legacy . Everything I own will belong to the baby . " Jessie stood frozen , barely able to breathe . So that was it . He had let Lila carry his child - not just out of lust , but because she , Jessie , had wanted a child so badly ... he had given her one in the most twisted , heartbreaking way imaginable . Step by step , Jessie walked down the long corridor toward the operating room . She was halfway through changing into a surgical gown when her phone buzzed on the bench beside her . Nelson . She hesitated , then picked up the call . " Jessie , you're awake? Still mad at me ? " " I've got ninety - nine roses on their way to the house - should be there any minute . And I ordered breakfast from Walker's , your favorite . " Chapter 3 2.63 % WebNovel W 4.3 FREE Enter a world of power and adventure ! Cultivation Online awaits you - start reading now ! Google Play OPEN " Look , I know you want a baby so badly . I've already asked someone to reach out to a few adoption agencies . If we find the right one , we'll bring the baby home within the year . I'll make you a mom , okay ? " Jessie's voice was calm . Too calm . " Sure . But I don't want a child . " She no longer wanted her child ... let alone raise the one he had made with someone else . On the other end of the line , Nelson's voice finally softened . " Come on , Jessie ... be good . You're my everything . Our seven - year anniversary is in three days . I've planned a surprise for you . " Jessie hung up without replying . She had a surprise for him , too . Then she lay back on the cold , steel surface of the operating table . 218 23414