Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 1478

Peyton's eyes flared up with a fiery anger. "Damn it," she muttered, "if I ever run into that jerk, I'll definitely give him a piece of my mind!"

"Emma, just take it easy at home today. We're not streaming. We're not exactly hurting for cash at the moment, so let's wait until you're feeling better." Emma nodded, looking as pale as a ghost, and sank into the couch nearby.

The house was always spotless, thanks to Peyton's meticulous cleaning. Lately, she'd been making chicken soup non-stop, but just the smell made Emma queasy.

She craved something with a kick but wasn't sure what Beaconsfield had to offer. Hesitantly, she said, "Mom, I really feel like something spicy."

Peyton's face lit up at the suggestion. "You want spicy, huh? They say craving spicy means you're having a girl."

Living together in the cramped space for months, Emma had once mentioned wanting a daughter, which Peyton hadn't openly opposed, but she seemed a bit off about it.

In their town, folks thought daughters were a burden; once they were grown, all you got was a dowry. A son, though, could bring a wife home to care for the family. To them, raising a daughter was like raising someone for another family, while a son was an asset.

Peyton had been hoping for a grandson, but Emma's reasoning and desire not to upset her had started to change Peyton's old-school thinking. Now, she could even joke about it.

"I'll whip up some spicy dishes tonight. Let me run out and grab some groceries."

"Okay."

up on the

she could

phone buzzed with a message from her

Feeling unwell?

the morning sickness is

Emma had been upfront about her pregnancy, there was

to meet with your boss? Have you figured out what to

considered hiring someone to pretend, but my boss is too sharp.

an eyebrow but stayed silent, his

was worried about backlash after being honest with you. I know being pregnant before marriage isn't ideal, but I didn't see this coming until it was too late. I thought about ending the pregnancy because of the stigma back home. Leaving with my mom was humiliating, but

it was for a woman to face pregnancy out of wedlock in a conservative community. Society seemed to always blame the woman, while the man involved usually vanished into thin

Emma, thinking she should consider

hadn't been easy, and it seemed reckless to risk everything for a man

sacrifice her career for a man. Men might change, but a career and the security it brings

her message about moving past her initial sadness, he found he couldn't bring himself to

on the desk,