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."

to tag along, curled up on the couch, gently

she could only fit into her roomiest down

with a message from

Feeling unwell?

morning sickness is pretty

pregnancy, there was no point in hiding

with your boss? Have

Lying's not right. I considered hiring someone

Dustin smirked and raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, his fingers idly spinning

thanks for understanding. I 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

how tough it was for a woman to face pregnancy out of wedlock in a conservative community.

set on having a serious talk with Emma, thinking she should consider ending the pregnancy-not for the company's sake, but

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

her career for a man. Men might change, but

past her initial sadness, he found he couldn't bring himself to persuade

fingers on the desk, then