In the end, Hansen allowed his son the freedom to choose what he wanted to do. Jepherson was soon to be a father. He had his own thoughts on the matter. Hansen didn’t want to coddle him.
Inside the room, Raeleigh was busy sipping the chicken soup that Jenna had served her. She said nothing. Jenna, on the other hand, was besotted from the moment she saw Raeleigh.
“I don’t know why, but I liked you at first sight. I haven’t felt this way for years.”
As Jenna spoke, Raeleigh slowly lifted her chin and looked at her.
“What other family do you have?” Jenna asked Raeleigh. Raeleigh thought it over and replied, “Just my Grandma. She’s in her seventies.”
“Is it just you and your grandmother?”
Raeleigh nodded in response. She had thought that Jenna would be completely different. However, contrary to her expectations, Jenna was a warm person, who was easy to get along with.
Jenna then peppered Raeleigh with questions, like any typical parent. It was as though she was interviewing Raeleigh. Finally, she said, “I don’t know when I’m going back with your father-in-law. Jerry told me that you don’t plan to hold a wedding. I don’t agree with that, but anyway, you are our daughter-in-law. You’re bearing a child of the Richards family. You’ll adopt the Richards family name sooner or later. I won’t interfere with your decisions. But I must tell you, please come to us for help if there’s any issue.”
“Your safety is what’s most important.”
Afraid that Raeleigh would land in some sort of trouble, Jenna repeatedly drilled that into her head.
Jenna finally got up after Hansen called out to her from outside the room. She told Raeleigh, “We’re heading out for a meal. I’ll get you some takeaway. Rest.”
Jenna stood up, patted Raeleigh’s hand, and left the room. Raeleigh was left sitting calmly on the bed. She watched Jenna leave, with a flurry of mixed emotions in her heart. She really didn’t think that Jepherson’s parents would have been so accepting of her family’s situation.
After they left, Jepherson came in and walked straight towards Raeleigh. He sat down on the bed and the two of them conversed about Jenna and Hansen.
“Your parents have so many stories,” Raeleigh said. She could not believe that they were not natives of Capital City.
After a while, Raeleigh piped up again, “Since your parents aren’t from here, could that child be in A City where you lived? You haven’t found her yet anyway, so why don’t you give it a shot?”
“If you hadn’t brought it up, then I would have forgotten it completely. I’ll have a look next time. I’ll bring you along too.”
“Sure.”
…
Due to her pregnancy, Raeleigh stayed in the hospital for a few days. As a result, Lamarre was a little anxious and called Jepherson to inquire.
Jepherson couldn’t say anything else, in order to protect Raeleigh. All he could do was to bring up Hansen.
Lamarre then said over the phone that Raeleigh still had five days to generate a new idea. Otherwise, she would be fired.
Jepherson hung up and looked at Raeleigh. “Pregnant women shouldn’t be exposed to too much radiation. I’ll print the blueprint for you.”
“It’s okay, you don’t need to fuss over every little thing. I’m pregnant, so are plenty of women around the world. They’re all using their phones and computers without any issue. You’re too much of a coward.”
Raeleigh clearly looked displeased. Jepherson turned to look at her and asked, “Who’s a coward?”
Raeleigh kept silent. She didn’t want to say anything.
Radiation was everywhere in the present day. Even ordinary people were mindful of it, what more a person as careful as Jepherson.
The last thing he wanted was for his descendants to contract any diseases.
Jepherson calmed down from Raeleigh’s silence. He said, “You can use the computer from time to time. If you don’t have the time to come up with designs, then you can take a break.”
“I don’t want to. These years are all I have. I need to work hard. When I get older, I have to take care of my child. I don’t want her to fall behind in education. Once she’s reached kindergarten age, I can’t be falling behind other mothers either. Time is passing fast and it won’t stop for me. I don’t want my child to be stuck on alphabets when she’s already in grade school.”
“Then, you want me to worry myself sick about your problems now?” Jepherson suddenly figured that there was a high chance that he would be replaced by the little fellow in her womb in the future.
“If it’s a self-inflicted worry, then I can’t help you. We should just act normal. I can wear radiation-proof clothes, as they’re available everywhere. There must be a way.”
Raeleigh delivered her point calmly, rendering Jepherson speechless.
It was quiet inside the ward. Jepherson sat beside Raeleigh with his legs crossed while holding her hand. Suddenly, he understood. All these trivial matters were not important.
Raeleigh was tired by that point. Holding Jepherson’s hand, she rolled over in the bed. It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep. When she did, Jepherson caressed Raeleigh’s face gently. She really was a stubborn person, wasn’t she?
Jepherson tucked Raeleigh into bed, covering her with the quilt. He then got up and went to the door to call his parents. Hansen’s phone was turned off.
Jepherson frowned and called his mother instead. He also could not get through to Jenna. So, he was directly transferred to voicemail.
…
At the international airport.
With much unhappiness, Jenna observed Hansen, who was in front of her. Hansen was pulling his luggage along while waiting for Jenna to catch up.
“Hansen…” Jenna was very vexed with how Hansen did things. He had left her son and daughter-in-law behind without saying a word. It was all far too rude. Plus, she still had a gift for Raeleigh. Then what?
Hansen turned around. Although he was in his fifties, he looked like he was in his thirties. He had no wrinkles at all.
He said, “It’s rare for us to go outside for once, but he messed it up for me. I’m still mad. And now it’s your turn?”
Jenna rolled her eyes and retorted, “You’re making no sense! This has nothing to do with Raeleigh. Jerry wanted us to meet her. They’re as good as married! How can you not care?”
“Didn’t he say that he would decide? Well, we’ve seen him, what else do we have to do?”
“I don’t care. I’m not leaving,” Jenna said as she came to a stop. Hansen asked, “Are you really not leaving?”
“I’m not leaving.” Jenna was firm.
Hansen glanced at the bellboy beside him and waved his hand. He handed a large sum of money to the bellboy and spoke two simple sentences in the local tongue. Jenna had just arrived and had yet to learn the local language. She did not understand it. On the other hand, Hansen was able to learn the language very quickly in a short time.
However, Jenna figured that it definitely did not bode well for her.
Surely enough, she saw her luggage being pushed away by the bellboy. Then, Hansen walked up to her with knitted brows and a gentle gaze. He seemed to have a plan in mind.
“Don’t come closer,” Jenna warned. She wanted to run, but Hansen grabbed her and carried her. Jenna suddenly felt the urge to cry, and hastily hid her face. She hated being humiliated. It was too shameful at her age!