Female Novel
Chapter 679
"Mom, don't build up his ego at the expense of our own pride."
"What do you mean 'his'? Jeffrey's practically family now, with the engagement around the corner."
Karen chuckled so hard she had to lean back to catch her breath, musing to herself that Jeffreyreally had a way with people. He'd managed to turn his image around in such a short time; the guywas seriously committed.
She shouldn't have doubted his intentions.
At that moment, Karen felt an unexpected flutter of pre-wedding bashfulness, the kind that sneaksup on you without any clear reason.
...
In the car, Jeffrey's lips were pressed into a tight line, his silence deafening.
Paige, sensing the mood, didn't dare make a sound. She sat shrunken in the back seat, stealingglances at Jeffrey's profile.
After driving for miles, far from the city center, Paige finally mustered the courage to speak up.
"Do you want to see the baby? It's a girl."
"What the hell are you thinking!" Jeffrey's temper flared, his patience finally snapping. He slammedon the brakes and pulled over to the roadside.
This remote area was naturally quiet, with few people around, especially in the dark of night.
"Get out," he said, his tone far from friendly.
Paige didn't hesitate, quickly opening the door and stepping out.
Jeffrey lit a cigarette, his profile illuminated by the flicker of his lighter, his jawline sharp and strikingin the dim light.
That was part of the reason Paige couldn't let go.
Aside from being a cad and a heartbreaker, he had so much going for him – looks, height, familybackground, career, and his prowess in bed.
They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity until Jeffrey, on his third cigarette, finally spokein a deep voice, "How much do you want?"
"Do you think I'm only here for the money?"
"Do you expect me to marry you? Don't be delusional."novelbin
"My family isn't short of money either." Paige retorted. Though her family's wealth didn't hold acandle to Jeffrey's, they were well-off by any standard.
"Paige."Jeffrey calmed himself down as much as he could and said to her, in a smooth tone. "Areyou sure the baby is mine?"
She trembled, disbelief etched on her face. "You know I was a virgin before we slept together. AndI've given you everything. Do you have any idea how hard it was to hide the pregnancy? I wasterrified my parents would make me abort, or that one of your friends would see me and tell you. Ionly breathed a sigh of relief when our daughter was born."
Jeffrey wanted to explode at her absurdity.
He wished the situation were different, that maybe she was still pregnant so he could use someleverage to make the problem go away.
But a child already born? What was he supposed to do, wish her dead?
"I don't want to hear it. Just tell me what you want to do." His mind was racing towards a standstill.
"I want you to marry me. I want us to be a family," Paige stated her terms outright.
"That's impossible!" Jeffrey raised his voice, glaring at her. "I'm getting engaged. What you're askingfor is out of the question."
Paige looked at him, dumbfounded. "So you're planning to keep our child a secret from yourfiancée?"
"That's my business. It has nothing to do with you."
"Jeffrey, you're such a jerk. If she finds out—"
Suddenly, Jeffrey turned and strode toward her, his hand shooting out to clutch her throat. Hesnarled menacingly, "If you let her find out, I'll make sure your family can't show their face in EldorriaCity ever again."