[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-286":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},286,72,"Chapter 72: \"He’s Actually Morning Sickness\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sharing a joy with the people you love doubles the happiness.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline felt her spirits lift as she watched her mother’s excitement. \"Come on, come inside and sit down.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marilyn carefully guided her, her eyes fixed on Evangeline’s feet, watching every step she took. \"Evangeline, you really shouldn't be making such sudden movements like you did just now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know, Mom. I was just so happy to see you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once they were settled on the sofa, Marilyn gently stroked Evangeline’s cheek, her eyes crinkling with warmth. \"My little girl is going to be a mother herself.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mom! I’m going to follow your example and be just as gentle and loving a mother as you are.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You and that sweet tongue of yours,\" Marilyn teased. \"You always know how to win me over.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As the mother and daughter basked in the warmth of the moment, Marcellus stood off to the side, lost in a daze. Seeing Evangeline’s grace, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. She had such a kind soul; she would surely raise a child just as wonderful as she was. His anxiety finally evaporated.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It took a long moment before Marilyn noticed her son-in-law still hovering nearby. \"Marcellus, take a seat! Why are you just standing there like a statue?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus snapped out of his reverie and sat on the sofa beside Evangeline. \"Mom, we’re planning to hold the wedding next month. It’s a very tight schedule and the specific date hasn't been set yet. I’m truly sorry it’s all coming together so abruptly.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline nudged his leg, chiming in to explain to her mother, \"Mom, it’s my fault. Our studio is still in its early stages, and I wanted to make sure things were stable before we walked down the aisle. I didn’t expect the baby to arrive ahead of schedule, so we decided it was best to get things moving.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her voice trailed off, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. \"I’m sorry, Mom. Getting the marriage certificates, planning the wedding, and now this pregnancy—I didn't consult you on any of it. I was just being selfish, overestimating my own ability to handle everything. I thought I could juggle it all, but I ended up a bit of a mess.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marilyn huffed, though her tone held no real bite. \"You know you were! At least you’re clear-headed enough to admit it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline immediately pulled out her best charm, swaying her mother’s arm. \"Mom, I promise I’ll ask for your advice on everything from now on. Just let us have our way this once?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m a progressive woman—we were all young once. I understand. But your father? He’s not going to be as easy to win over.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What’s this about me not being easy to win over?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before the words had even faded, Edward’s booming, cheerful voice echoed through the room. He strode in with a steady, commanding presence and took his seat at the head of the sofa. \"Alright, tell me—what kind of trouble have you two gotten into that you’re worried I might give you a hard time?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline scrambled over to the armrest of her father’s chair, playing the part of the devoted daughter as she began kneading his shoulders with a cheeky grin. \"Dad, I have some great news. You’re going to be a grandfather!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What?!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward’s voice was like a thunderclap. Evangeline shrank back, but before she could catch her breath, the storm broke again. \"You’re pregnant before even holding the wedding? People are going to talk! They’ll say you were desperate, that you aren't being treated with the respect you deserve!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His daughter had always been so sensible—how could she get tied up with this scoundrel and start doing such reckless things? The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew, shooting a sharp, icy glare at Marcellus.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You! I want a grand wedding organized within the month. If you let my daughter be the subject of neighborhood gossip, I’ll tear your family’s entire empire to the ground!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline’s eyes lit up, and she squeezed her father’s hand. \"Dad, does that mean you approve?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What do you mean 'approve'?\" Edward looked at her, completely bewildered by the sudden jump in logic.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marilyn chuckled. \"Marcellus just told me they were planning the wedding within the month. You two were on the same page after all.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward shot Marcellus another disgruntled look, emitting a sharp, skeptical snort. \"Fine. At least you know how to do the right thing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Blegh!*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus suddenly clutched his chest, stood up abruptly, and dashed toward the hallway, retching. The room fell into stunned silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What’s wrong with him? Does he have a problem with what I said?\" Edward muttered, clearly confused.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline hurried over, grabbing a glass of warm water for him. \"Are you alright?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus shook his head, looking pale and miserable. \"I’m fine. I think I caught a chill from my cold shower this morning.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline’s face flushed a deep crimson at the mention of the shower. She didn't dare ask another question, simply shoving the glass into his hand and retreating to her seat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is he going to be okay?\" Edward asked, his tone softening. He was still trying to maintain his tough-guy facade, but he couldn't help the flicker of genuine concern.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He just caught a bug. A bit of medicine and he’ll be fine,\" Evangeline replied.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hmph.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sudden interruption successfully diverted the tension, and no one mentioned it again. At lunch, Marcellus stared at the feast spread across the table, his stomach churning. He could barely manage a few bites.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m sorry, I’m really not feeling well. I’m going to go rest in Evangeline’s room for a bit.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Go, go,\" Marilyn urged, noticing his sickly pallor. She quickly found some antacids and handed them to Evangeline to take up to him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When Evangeline entered the room, she found him propped against the headboard, his brows knit together in obvious discomfort. \"Should I have Damian Spencer come take a look at you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He gave a weak shake of his head. \"No. What do you have there?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Just some stomach medicine Mom found.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That’ll do.\" He took the glass from her, downed the pills in one go, and slid under the covers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline tucked the blanket around him gently. \"Get some sleep.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mhm.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">While he rested, Evangeline stayed downstairs to chat with her mother. They moved from celebrity scandals to high-society gossip with ease.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, did you hear? Cassidy has already been moved to the Harrison estate.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is that so? Well, their drama is going to last a lifetime, isn't it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marilyn wore a look of disdain as she continued, \"Jonah absolutely refused to help raise the baby, but his mother insisted on keeping it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That actually surprised Evangeline. \"He didn't want it? That’s his own flesh and blood.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Who knows what’s going through his head? The baby is being kept hidden away by the Harrisons. They didn't even hold a celebration for the baby’s first hundred days.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline looked at her mother, perplexed. \"How do you even know that?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Your aunt told me when we were chatting. I even sent a gift for the hundred-day mark. Even if that girl is a thankless brat, it’s still a Harrison descendant.\" Marilyn sighed, looking troubled. \"The baby is cute as a button, but it’s a shame—that child is destined for an unlucky life.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline placed a hand on her own abdomen, her heart heavy with complex emotions. \"The sins of the parents... but it really isn't fair to the child.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Jonah actually named the baby...\" Marilyn stopped mid-sentence, her lips pressing together.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline waited for her to finish, but the older woman remained silent. \"What name did he choose?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, look at me! My mind is going—the name completely slipped my memory.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s fine, Mom. It’s not like it has anything to do with us anyway.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marilyn gave an awkward, forced laugh. \"That’s right. Nothing to do with us.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline caught the sound of footsteps and glanced toward the stairs. \"Marcellus, are you feeling any better?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Much better.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then we should head out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus still had a mountain of work to get through. They bid farewell to Marilyn and headed back to Alexander Corp. On the drive home, Marcellus leaned back with his eyes closed, saying nothing, while Evangeline stared out the window, her mind drifting far away.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272913998]