Chapter 454
Waiting outside felt like an eternity for Jasmine. With all the risks that came with a natural birth, she couldn’t help but imagine the worst. But when the news came, relief hit her like a wave.
She still didn’t know who Shermaine’s husband was, but wherever he was, he had to be worried sick.
Shermaine had once mentioned they’d been separated, something complicated, and clearly not by choice.
The delivery room doors finally swung open.
A nurse stepped out, holding a tiny, swaddled infant.
She was unbelievably small.
After a short burst of crying inside, she now lay silent in the nurse’s arms, calm and peaceful.
Shermaine followed soon after, being wheeled out by another nurse.
Though she’d opted for natural delivery, she had agreed to the postnatal recovery injection afterward. Under normal circumstances, she might’ve passed, but there simply wasn’t time for a long recovery now.
In the private room, the baby slept in a crib under a soft blue dome. She had been bathed and wrapped up, her skin flawless and glowing with a warm hue.
Her features were shockingly refined, impossibly perfect for a newborn. Jasmine couldn’t take her eyes off her. She looked like something out of a fairytale.
Shermaine was already stunning. Judging by this baby, her father must’ve been no less extraordinary. Jasmine wouldn’t be surprised if a genetic scan showed this child ranked SSS-tier. But one detail stood out. The baby’s hair was red.
That alone was strange. In the Kingdom of Xyperia, newborns were almost always blonde, with blue-tinged irises. But this little girl had a full head of auburn-red hair.
It was the first time Jasmine had ever seen it.
And then, a memory stirred.
The red hair was a rare trait, one that appeared only in the pureblood royal blood.
The thought crossed her mind, but she dismissed it. It felt far-fetched, almost absurd.
“Ms. Hanks, have you chosen a name yet?” she asked.
Shermaine was still visibly drained. The physical pain was easing, but mentally, she was completely spent. She let out a yawn and answered drowsily, “Not yet. Her father should be the one to name her.”
“Well, what should we call her in the meantime?”
Shermaine was craving something sweet, though she knew this world didn’t offer much beyond bland nutrient packs. Cuisine here was nothing compared to what she used to have in Wallington.
“Tiramisu.”
Jasmine lit up. “Oh, that’s such a cute name!”
Shermaine gave her a look. “Her real nickname’s Gracie,” she clarified, before Jasmine could get carried away.
Chapter 454
Jasmine walked over to the crib and softly called out, “Gracie…”
The baby’s lips twitched, almost like she’d heard.
Shermaine was cleared for discharge the very next day, but given Gracie’s age, they stayed three more days in the hospital for observation and registration. By birth, each child was entered into the central system and issued identification.
Still, that red hair was hard to ignore.
It was striking, impossible to hide, and would no doubt bring Shermaine complications she didn’t need.
Gracie slept most of the time, only waking to feed.
Shermaine, as a first-time mother, was still learning the ropes, but Jasmine, to her credit, had surprisingly solid instincts with infants.
Back at the hotel, Shermaine had just stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped around her, her hair, once shoulder-length, now flowed down to her chest.
Without her usual colored contacts, her eyes looked even more vivid, clear with an almost crystalline sharpness.
Her figure showed no trace of pregnancy. That postnatal injection had done exactly what it promised, full restoration overnight. The food in this world might have been bland, but the wine was excellent.
Shermaine would’ve loved a glass, but she was breastfeeding. She sighed, reached into the fridge, and grabbed a bottle of water instead.
She sat on the sofa, unscrewed the cap, and sipped slowly as she stared out at the city lights through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Just then, Jasmine burst in, cradling a crying Gracie. “Ms. Hanks! She won’t stop crying! I’ve tried everything. Nothing’s working.”
Jasmine prided herself on being good with babies. But somehow, Gracie never responded well to her. It was both baffling and frustrating.
She pushed the door open and paused, eyes widening. Shermaine’s hair was also red.
Only now did Jasmine realize the golden hair and blue eyes had been a disguise all along.
Gracie had just inherited her mother’s looks.
And like this, Shermaine looked even more striking. There was something untouchable about her, an air of nobility wrapped in mystery.
Shermaine set the water down and stood. “Give her to me.”
Jasmine quickly passed Gracie into her arms.
In just a few days, the baby’s complexion had grown even softer, more radiant. She was heartbreakingly adorable.
Shermaine cradled her gently.
“She’s hungry. Turn around.”
Jasmine grinned. “Come on, Ms. Hanks. We’re both women. What’s the big deal?”
To her, breastfeeding was a beautiful, intimate moment, sweet and not awkward.
But Shermaine simply raised an eyebrow, clearly unmoved.
With a dramatic sigh, Jasmine gave in and turned her back.
Shermaine loosened the towel just enough, and Gracie immediately quieted, nursing contentedly.
Chapter 454
Within minutes, her belly full, she drifted off again.
Just as Shermaine was laying her down, the doorbell rang. Outside stood a group of unfamiliar men.