The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 891

Jessica was aware that the baby she was carrying wasn't Steven's, and it didn't sit right with her to let him take on that responsibility.

Still, she couldn't shake the yearning for the time she had shared with Casper. After all, it was Casper who had been by her side during her first childbirth.

"Couldn't you take care of me?" Jessica asked.

"Things are a bit hectic right now. And to be honest, I don't have a clue about babies. I'd probably just fumble through it and make things harder for you and the baby," Steven answered.

A sharp pang of disappointment struck Jessica. "What about when Annalise had her baby? Who was there for her then?"

Steven's voice grew strained. "No one. I was swamped with work back then. She'd hoped I'd be there when she gave birth, but by the time I got home, I was totally wiped out and didn't go.

"She ended up arranging for a doula herself. When she realized I wasn't showing up, she had the doula step in and handle everything."

Jessica couldn't shake the feeling that Casper had been the better man. No matter how busy he was, when it came time for her to need him, he always dropped everything and stayed with her.

"Fine, handle your stuff then. I'll take care of it myself," she replied.

"I'll clear my schedule for the day you go into labor and be there with you at

she looked

his fingers through her hair gently. "Of

was finally complete, and thanks to the relatively smooth production and the large team at the animation studio, the

a

include a promo for our amusement park. At this point, it was just a matter of waiting to see

...

it, the day had arrived for Jessica to give

in the hospital room, his nerves tight. His eyes were fixed on Jessica as she lay there, her face glistening with sweat from the pain. He never imagined

fingers through her hair and murmured, "You'll

face was pale. She let

wheeled her into the operating room,

his nerves on edge as

and wasted no time breaking the news online, even

how