Chapter 26%
I stood before the French windows on the hospital’s top floor, watching the door to the ward slowly open.
Today was the day the Sutherlands came to see Jackson.
They came very early and as soon as they arrived at the ward, they gathered around the bed and talked about the past, excited and cried joyfully. The old lady sat in the middle, her eyes red but her expression dignified, as if she had expected this day.
And I, as his legally undeniable wife, could no longer play dead.”
Now that Jackson had woken up, I couldn’t keep hiding forever.
Keeping a low profile at this point would be ridiculous.
I changed into a modest light–colored dress and put on some light makeup, just enough to hide the slight swell of my belly.
When I pushed open the door, the room fell silent.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Francesca Fleming,” I said calmly.}
I didn’t introduce myself as “Mrs. Sutherland.” I wasn’t here to stir things up. I just made sure every person in the room heard my name clearly.”
My voice was soft, deliberately distant, as if none of this had anything to do with me.}
At that moment, everyone seemed to understand something. Shock, confusion and disbelief flashed across their faces only briefly. Then, one by one, they all put on those fake, polite smiles.
“Hello, Mrs. Fleming. We heard you’ve been looking after Jackson all this time. It must’ve been hard on you.“>
“Thank you for everything. He wouldn’t have made it without you.“}
I nodded and smiled as if I believed every word they said.
Only Jackson’s parents in the corner wore stiffer smiles than anyone else’s.}
They stared at me, their eyes locked onto my face, rage practically spilling out.
Still, this was a hospital. The old lady, several doctors and nurses were present, so they held back.
They didn’t even bother faking friendliness. Just gave me a cold nod.”
They said nothing, but I knew they couldn’t hold it in for long.}
I was right.
Not long after, the old lady said she wanted to stretch her legs. I went with her, but as soon as we reached the elevators, we saw Owen and Agnes waiting there with stormy faces.}
“Mom, what is the meaning of this? How could she be Jackson’s wife?”
Owen hissed, barely restraining his anger. There was a flicker of disgust in his eyes. “Didn’t you say you found a sweet, clean girl? How is it her?”
Elizabeth lowered her eyes slightly, her voice calm and emotionless. “What did you expect? Which one of you was willing to let your son stay in a coma and still have a child? Who was going to take care of someone everyone thought was dead?“}
Agnes‘ face darkened. “Didn’t we say we’d pay more? There are plenty of women willing to have a baby for money.“”
Elizabeth glanced at her and let out a cold laugh.
“And which one of them looks better than her? If you replace someone, at least ensure the genes are worth it. The Sutherlands‘ child should never be ugly.”}
Owen and Agnes fell silent.}
How had they treated me before?}
They called me greedy. Dirty. Said I wasn’t good enough for Justin.
Now, I was pregnant with the only heir of this family and I was their daughter–in–law in name and law.
Downstairs, someone quietly opened the hospital room door.
I walked in, carrying soup and pastries. Jackson was sitting up in bed, wearing a clean hospital gown. He looked much better, flipping through a medical report that Agnes must’ve handed him.
A man was standing beside him, his back turned to me. Broad shoulders, tall frame.
“Honey, I brought you something to eat,” I said softly.
I’d gotten used to calling Jackson “honey.” It just slipped out.
Jackson looked up, warmth flooding into his eyes.
“Honey, come here,” he said, smiling and motioning me over. “Perfect timing. I’ll introduce someone to you. This is my younger brother,
Justin.”
My steps faltered.
The man whose back was to me seemed to freeze as well.”
