Chapter 164

“Valeria’s pregnant, can’t you cut her some slack?”

Megan glared at Jasper. While she had mixed feelings about Valeria getting pregnant before marriage, the fact remained that she was carrying a Hale heir. Once this baby was born, it would be the family’s first born—something those illegitimate brats could never compete with.

She’d told Jasper from day one to be patient and gentle with Valeria. He’d promised he would, but here he was causing drama again. Had all her years of fighting to maintain her position as Mrs. Hale been for nothing? Everything she’d done had been for Jasper’s sake!

“Mrs. Hale, it’s not Jasper’s fault,” Valeria gasped, slowly lifting her head with tears still glistening in her eyes, looking absolutely pitiful.

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re so understanding—still defending him even after this.”

Seeing Valeria like this, Jasper’s anger started to fade. He helped her up from the floor, guilt washing over him. “I’m sorry, I lost my temper.”

Seeing Cassian and Anastasia together had made him completely lose his mind.

Valeria was still furious inside, but she put on a forgiving act. “It’s okay, I won’t stay mad at you. It was my fault for saying the wrong thing.”

The more gracious Valeria acted, the guiltier Jasper felt. She knew exactly how to manipulate this aspect of his psychology—showing vulnerability made men want to protect her even more!

“I’m really sorry.”

Back in the hospital room, Valeria didn’t throw a tantrum. Instead, she sweetly told Jasper that if he had work to do, he should go handle it—she could take care of herself.

Even though she said that, Jasper couldn’t actually leave her alone in the hospital.

Megan brought over various broths and soups. The doctor had said Valeria needed to build up her strength but couldn’t have anything too rich, so everything had to be light and nutritious. Megan had sent the housekeeper to the market early that morning to buy an organic free-range chicken. They’d removed all the skin and fat before making the broth.

Seeing that Jasper had upset Valeria, Megan made him personally feed her the soup.

Valeria knew she was getting this treatment because of the baby she was carrying. But she was loving every minute of it. This was what she deserved—why would she refuse?

Between the pregnancy and staying up all night, Valeria fell asleep shortly after finishing the soup.

Jasper offered to drive Megan home, and she used the opportunity to lecture him during the ride.

“This baby came at the perfect time. Even if you don’t love Valeria, you need to take good care of that child. Worst case scenario, we’ll deal with her after the baby’s born.”

The whole “keep the baby, ditch the mother” thing was an unspoken understanding in wealthy families.

Jasper understood what Megan was getting at and gave a distracted “mm-hmm.”

After dropping Megan off, Jasper didn’t immediately return to Valeria’s room. He drove near the hospital, which gave him an idea.

Using his identity as Anastasia’s former fiancé, Jasper quickly learned about Elisabeth’s fall and hospitalization. When he found the room, Elisabeth was there watching TV.

He was surprised that Cassian cared enough about Anastasia’s grandmother to pull strings and get her the best private room in the hospital.

He knocked and entered.

When Elisabeth saw it was Jasper, her smile froze. Her tone was flat as she said, “What are you doing here?”

While Anastasia hadn’t told Elisabeth exactly why they’d broken up, she’d heard enough from the neighborhood gossip. The area was full of elderly residents who loved to chat about everyone’s business. Someone had mentioned seeing Anastasia’s boyfriend walking around town holding hands with another woman. Elisabeth had immediately suspected their breakup involved a third party.

Both Anastasia and her mother Sheila had been the type who couldn’t tolerate any betrayal.

When Elisabeth looked at Jasper now, there was no warmth—only cool distance.

Jasper noticed the dramatic change in her attitude. She used to be so welcoming. Little did he know that Elisabeth had always seen right through him. She'd known that Jasper looked down on the fallen Paige family.

In all the years he’d dated Anastasia, he’d rarely bothered visiting her. She’d gotten used to it.

People don’t just show up without a reason—Jasper definitely had an agenda.

“Mr. Hale, what brings you to an old woman’s hospital room?” Elisabeth asked coolly.

Jasper smiled awkwardly, thinking this old lady sure knew how to read people. She’d never been this cold before.

“Grandma, I heard about your fall, so I came to check on you.”

“How thoughtful. I appreciate the gesture, but I’m old and don’t have much energy. Please leave.”

Elisabeth was basically telling him she couldn’t be bothered dealing with him and he should get lost.

But Jasper wasn’t giving up that easily. He looked around, his eyes landing on the bathroom door.

Could Anastasia be in there?

He had so much he wanted to say to her.

“Ana’s not here, Mr. Hale. Please leave,” Elisabeth said, still in that flat tone, but now she was clearly kicking him out.

Jasper wanted to stay longer but didn’t want to upset Elisabeth further, so he reluctantly left.