Jessica barely recognized the reflection in the photo.


    Yet it was unmistakably hers. Her unborn child was already reshaping her from within, instilling a quiet, resilient strength.


    As she stared at the image, her hand moved to her lower abdomen, brushing it gently. Her eyes welled with heat.


    She gripped her phone tightly, nced at Anneliese, and blurted without thinking,


    "Anne, I want to keep this baby!"


    Anneliese paused for a moment, unsurprised. She smiled softly. "Alright."


    She understood Jessica instinctively.


    Girls like them, whocked strong family roots, often carried their emotions intensely; even if they appeared bold and unshakable, matters of love and kinship weren''t casual.


    People had always longed for what they had never possessed. That was human nature.


    Jessica had spent years in solitude. Now a child was part of her, tied to her by blood. Letting him go had been unthinkable.


    "Anne, you won''t try to change my mind?"


    Anneliese''s simple nod made Jessica blink in mild astonishment.


    Anneliese chuckled. "I always knew you''d make this choice. Why would I persuade you to change your mind? As I said, we can handle it financially. And gically, Zane is top-tier—no matter which traits the baby inherits, I believe he will be more than fine. There''s no reason not to keep him."


    A year prior, when Anneliese herself had been adrift and unsure, she might have urged caution.


    Now, sitting on a fortune worth hundreds of millions, she had no reservations.


    She could fully support Jessica. If Jessica wanted the child, she could have the child without fear.


    Jessica smiled, sensing the reassurance. Anneliese was just about to ask if she nned to tell Zane when the door swung open, and Nishay stepped in.


    Both women flinched and went silent immediately.


    Their sudden hush, however, drew Nishay''s attention.


    Anneliese quickly stepped forward. "Grandma, is something wrong?"


    Nishay regarded her steadily. "Anne, are you seeing someone?"


    Anneliese blinked, a tight knot of nerves forming. "Why are you asking this now?"


    Nishay''s gaze didn''t waver. "It feels like you''re whispering all day, keeping secrets from me."


    Anneliese and Jessica exchanged guilty nces.


    Nishay didn''t mind Anneliese dating; she had nned to gradually tell her about Jonathan after the New Year.


    Butplications had arisen between Anneliese and Jonathan, and no one could predict what would happen once he returned from Halden.


    Anneliese grinned and linked her arm with Nishay''s.


    "If Jess and I were seeing someone, of course, we''d need you to approve of him."


    Jessica nodded eagerly, slipping off the bed to take Nishay''s other arm.


    "Exactly. You''re the only elder whose judgment we trust. Annie and I don''t have your experience. If anything seems off you''ll be the first to know, and the one to check him out.


    nking Nishay, they sessfully lightened her mood.


    Nishay squeezed their hands. "My eyes failed me. I didn''t protect Anne well enough,


    and the Shaw family took advantage of her."


    Back when Anneliese had been with Zacharias, Nishay had assumed he was trustworthy.


    She believed they all knew him and would act decently despite conflicts. Who could have guessed...


    Seeing Nishay''s guilt, Anneliese interjected. "It''s not your fault. People change."


    Before rising to prominence, the Shaw family had been different. Hearts shift more rapidly and unpredictably than the weather.


    Nishay settled on the bed''s edge and cautioned them gently,


    "You''re still young. Take your time with emotions. Don''t settle for less. You''re remarkable girls, just as


    capable as anyone with bottlin


    parents Stand tall. Youll meet men worthy of you."


    "You''re right, Grandma," Anneliese said with her usual sweetness. Nishay studied her a moment longer.


    "Anne, I remember you''ve got a few seniors. You and them..."


    Anneliese waved quickly, cutting off the spection. "Nothing''s going on. Most of them already have girlfriends. Don''t overthink it."


    Nishay epted her answer, letting it go.


    She pondered to herself, Anne is clearly seeing someone, though she won''t admit it. Judging by what she''s said, her boyfriend isn''t from theb. Then who could it be?


    Then she remembered the message


    she had received earlier: ''Your granddaughter is with the wrong person. She''s going to get hurt


    sooner orter. Watch over her and


    Watchroverter


    talk some sense into her


    She wondered who had sent that message just now and why they would im the


    man wasn''t right for Anneliese.