They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 227

Chapter 227

Chapter 227

“Be careful, Jessi!” Stella had just stepped out of the kitchen when she saw Jessica slipping on the stairs. Her heart nearly stopped,

Jessica, still groggy from a sleepless night, jolted awake at the shout and instinctively grabbed the railing, barely steadying herself.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong with you? You’re so out of it this early in the morning.” Stella rushed up the stairs and steadied Jessica, her eyes full of

concern.

Jessica was startled, too. Even though there were only two or three steps left, a fall could have been serious. But she didn’t want Stella to fret, so she forced a casual tone. “I’m fine, Mom.”

“Really?” Stella frowned, eyeing the dark circles under Jessica’s eyes.

“Yeah. I just had a sudden idea and got distracted. This won’t happen again. Don’t worry. I’m totally fine.” Jessica leaned into Stella playfully. “Mom, what’s that amazing smell? My stomach’s growling. Let’s go eat.”

Stella sighed inwardly at Jessica’s evasion but pretended to be convinced. “Your favorite oatmeal with fruit,” she said, helping Jessica down the rest of

the stairs.

“Mom, I’m okay. You’re treating me like a baby. It’s embarrassing.” Jessica tried to sound cheerful.

“Nothing is embarrassing about it. You’ll always be my little girl, no matter how old you get.” Stella didn’t press further. The two chatted warmly as they entered the dining room, joining Dereck for a family breakfast.

After breakfast, afraid her exhaustion might show, Jessica spoke, “Mom, Dad, I’m done. I’ll head to the office now. Take your time.”

“Alright, drive safely,” Stella said, watching her leave before turning to Dereck. “Honey, keep an eye on Jessi at the

“Hmm?” Dereck looked at her, puzzled.

office today.”

Stella then explained her concerns, “Something’s off with Jessi. Did you see those dark circles? She probably barely slept last night. And this morning, she was so out of it that she almost fell down the stairs. It scared me.”

Dereck’s brow furrowed.

“I think something’s bothering Jessi, but she won’t tell me. Try to find out what’s going on,” Stella said.

“Got it.” Dereck nodded, filing the concern away.

At the office, Dereck called Jessica over under the pretense of discussing a project, using the opportunity to observe her condition.

It didn’t take long for him to realize just how exhausted she looked. Concerned, he said, “Jessi, take a break first. Work can wait. Your health comes first.”

Jessica snapped out of her daze. “Huh? No, I’m fine,” she reflexively replied. Afraid Dereck would press further, she quickly steered the conversation back to work. “Dad, I just had a new idea about the project. Want to hear it?”

Dereck sighed inwardly but dropped the subject. He took on most of her workload himself, hoping to give her more time to rest.

Jessica felt a lump form in her throat at his silent care. She thought, ‘I’m useless, making my parents worry about me again. I promised mys dwell on it. Why can’t I just move on?‘

Her mood remained low until noon. She slumped back in her chair, utterly drained. She thought, ‘Maybe I should sleep for a bit.‘

ouldn’t

Just then, her stomach growled. Jessica pressed a hand to her slightly rounded belly and forced herself to rally. She thought, ‘I need to eat, I’m not just feeding myself.’

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Sun 153

Chapter 227

She stood and stepped into the elevator, intending to head to the cafeteria, but somehow, the pressed the button for 3 by the tea de cand back her senses, she was standing in the underground parking lot.

“Jessi” A familiar Rolls Royce Cullinan pulled up beside her, and Brian stepped out.

Jessica froze for a second before turning sharply to leave.

She thought with a sneer, ‘What’s his game? Last night, he was in bed with Madeline, and now, he is here bringing me lunch. Oh, right, he didn’t show lo – this morning. Probably couldn’t get out of her bed.

The more Jessica thought about it, the more pointless it all felt. Her pace quickened.

Just as she reached the elevator, Brian caught her arm from behind. “Jessi, wait.”

“Let go.” Jessica tried to shake him off, but she nearly made her lose her balance.

Brian hurriedly steadied her. “Jessi, you okay?”

Jessica pressed a hand to her forehead, fighting off dizziness as she shoved weakly at Brian. “I don’t need your help. Let me go.”

Seeing her stubbornly push him away despite her exhaustion, Brian frowned. He hauled her firmly against his chest. “Enough, Jessi. I know you don’t want to see me, but that’s no excuse to neglect your health.” With that, he carried her back toward the car.

Jessica squirmed, but after two feeble attempts, a sudden sneeze wrecked her resistance.

Brian didn’t even flinch as her spray hit his face. Instead, his grip gentled, eyes shadowed with worry. “Jessi, what’s going on with you?”

He thought worriedly, ‘Is she sick? That’s why she’s so out of it? Did she not rest because she was feeling unwell?‘

The thought twisted his heart. He settled her into the back seat with exaggerated care.

Too drained to shake him off, Jessica slumped back with a scowl, only to betray herself with two more sneezes.

Brian asked in concern, “Jessi, are you sick? Let’s see a doctor after lunch, okay?”

“What’s the point? I can’t take meds anyway,” Jessica snapped. Most medications were off–limits during pregnancy. A minor cold wasn’t worth the hassle.

Brian’s jaw tightened, but her irritable glare stopped him from arguing. He unfolded the car’s tray table and arranged the food. Then, he pressed a fork into her hand with gentle insistence. “Fine. Eat first.”

Internally, he resolved to consult a doctor later about fetus–safe remedies. No way would he let her suffer.

Jessica’s mouth watered at the spread of her favorite dishes. Still, she jutted her chin out. “I’m not hungry.”

But a loud stomach growl instantly betrayed her. Eyes flashing, she clapped both hands over her belly and flared

at

Brian. “Don’t you dare laugh.”

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