Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 149: The Best News

Chapter 149: The Best News

Jerica thought Victoria was reminiscing the terrible things Brandon Glover had put her through and that was why she was not saying anything.

"He’ll apologize to you, Mom," Jerica said softly, reaching out to hold Victoria’s frail hand. "I promise."

Victoria shook her head, her lips trembling as she tried to form a smile. "I don’t want an apology," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just want your safety and happiness."

The room grew quiet as Victoria began to eat the snacks Jerica had lovingly prepared. Jared sat beside her, his hand on hers, while Jerica busied herself with pulling out the gift she had brought.

"Look at this, Mom," Jerica said brightly, holding the mug up to Victoria’s eyes. She tried her best to make Victoria focus on the words, gently encouraging her with patience and warmth.

It was endearing, Jared thought, watching his wife’s determination to brighten his mother’s day. He couldn’t help but smile even as a lump formed in his throat.

When Victoria finally deciphered the text, her reaction was immediate. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she brought a trembling hand to her mouth. The woman who had always been a pillar of strength, who had endured life’s hardships with stoicism, was now crying—tears of joy, of gratitude, and perhaps a little relief.

Jared felt his own tears spill over as he reached for his mother’s hand. "You’re going to be a grandmother," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.

Victoria nodded, her gaze shifting back and forth between Jared and Jerica, her tear-streaked face glowing with warmth and love. As she wiped her eyes with trembling fingers, she reached out and pulled Jerica into a heartfelt hug.

"Thank you," Victoria whispered, her voice heavy with emotion. She tightened her hold on Jerica as if anchoring herself to the moment, and then she turned her gaze to Jared. "This is the best news there ever is."

Jared felt his throat tighten, and his vision blurred as his own emotions welled up. Seeing his mother so moved and filled with joy after everything they had been through was almost too much. Her happiness illuminated something inside him—a reminder of what truly mattered.

He thought back to the path he had almost taken, consumed by revenge and bitterness. He had come so close to losing everything, including Jerica. Now, standing here with the two women he loved most, he realized what a gift this moment was.

Victoria kept Jerica’s hand in hers, holding it like a lifeline. Jerica, ever gracious, looked into Victoria’s eyes with earnest warmth. "Why don’t you come stay with us?" she asked gently, her voice filled with hope.

Jared blinked, surprised by the suggestion. He hadn’t dared to ask because he already knew the answer—his mother was too independent, too set in her ways to agree to such an idea. But what surprised him even more was the radiant smile that lit up Victoria’s face at Jerica’s proposal.

"Oh, Jerica," Victoria said softly, shaking her head. "I couldn’t impose. But thank you for asking—it means the world to me."

Jared watched the interaction with a mix of awe and amusement. It was clear that his mother adored Jerica, perhaps even more than him. But he didn’t mind one bit. He loved Jerica more than anything too.

As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Victoria’s eyes brightened suddenly. "Alexander is a nice name, isn’t it?" she mused aloud, a wistful smile spreading across her face. "I’ve always loved that name."

Jerica’s brows lifted as she glanced at Jared. "I love that name too," she said with a small smile. She couldn’t help but think of the two Alexanders who had shaped her life in profound ways—the man she loved and the brother figure she cherished. It felt poetic to consider naming her child after them both.

But then, as her smile turned mischievous, Jerica’s thoughts took another turn. Victoria had casually assumed the baby would be a boy, and the idea amused her.

Jared caught the flicker of playfulness in Jerica’s expression and chuckled inwardly. He knew exactly what she was thinking. Despite his mother’s assumption, and even Jerica’s amused indulgence, he felt deep down that they were having a daughter.

He didn’t say a word, though. He could name their daughter "Alexandra". She’d be as fiery and smart as his beloved wife.

-----

In the following days, Jerica found herself caught between contemplation and routine. Her days were slower now, punctuated by daily calls to her parents and the warmth of her brother Alfred’s weekend visits. Time slipped by quietly, and before she realized it, a month had passed.

Her morning sickness eased slightly, which she was immensely grateful for. Jared’s constant presence became her anchor during this time, his attentiveness comforting and grounding. However, Jerica couldn’t help but notice the restlessness creeping into Jared’s demeanor.

Jared was a man driven by ambition, his hands and mind always busy. It amazed her that he had stayed home for nearly two months without complaint. But now, she saw the signs—the way his gaze lingered on his files, the way he absentmindedly scrolled through legal news, or how he paced the house more often.

She decided to broach the topic one evening, as they sat on the porch enjoying the sunset. "What do you see yourself doing in the future?" she asked casually, though her question carried genuine curiosity.

In her conversations with her family, Jerica had picked up on her father’s hopes for Jared. Arthur had suggested two potential paths for his son-in-law: joining his company or starting his own law firm.

While the offer was generous and came from a place of respect for Jared’s abilities, Jerica had a strong feeling that Jared would politely decline the idea of working under Arthur. Her husband was fiercely independent—a self-made man who valued carving out his own path rather than stepping into someone else’s.

However, the idea of Jared starting his own law firm intrigued her. She could already envision how she could support him in such an endeavor. She wasn’t just his wife; she was also his partner, someone who understood his dreams and strengths. With her own skills, connections, and determination, she knew they could build something remarkable together.

If, and that is a big ’if’, Jared ever chose that path, she would be ready to stand by his side and help turn it into a success.

Jared looked at her, slightly surprised.