Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 150: What Changed

Chapter 150: What Changed

Jared looked at her, slightly surprised. "What do you mean? I’m going to continue my work as an ADA," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

Jerica smiled knowingly. She did not doubt that. That was the path he forged for himself. He was not going to deviate easily.

But she also suspected there was more to his dreams. The glint in his dark eyes told her he aimed higher, that he envisioned himself climbing the ranks, perhaps even reaching the capital city someday.

"And after that?" she pressed gently, her voice encouraging rather than probing.

Jared hesitated for a moment. "You think I have bigger plans, don’t you?"

"I know you do," Jerica replied with a grin.

He chuckled, shaking his head, but the small, proud smile on his lips betrayed him.

"What about you?" Jared turned the conversation back to her. "I hear the records room is in chaos without you. The other clerk apparently can’t make sense of your... unique arrangement system." His teasing tone brought a lightness to the moment.

Jerica’s hand instinctively rested on her belly. She loved her work, not just for the routine but because it kept her engaged and provided her with meaningful human interaction. But now, things were different. She was going to be a mother.

Was it worth returning to work when her child would need her more than anyone else? She wasn’t irreplaceable at her job, but to her child, she would be the only mother.

"I’ve been thinking about staying home to raise our family," she admitted, her voice softer now. "Do you think that’s a bad idea?"

She had the means to do that. She was not that interested in working anymore. Should she push herself to work without liking to do it much?

Jared tilted his head, his expression gentle but thoughtful. "Why do you ask?"

"Because your opinion matters to me," Jerica said earnestly. "And please don’t just say you’ll support whatever I decide. I want to know what you really think."

Jared blinked, caught off guard by her straightforwardness. He took a deep breath and moved closer, taking her hand in his. "I think..." he began, choosing his words carefully, "...that it’ll be hard for you to stay home and do nothing. But if you find something meaningful to occupy your time—whether it’s the foundation or raising our family—I’ll be happy with whatever you choose."

Jerica studied his face, looking for any trace of doubt or hesitation, but she found none. He was being honest.

"I’m definitely not learning to cook, though," she said with a mock-serious tone. "That’s all you."

Jared laughed, his shoulders relaxing. "Good. I’m not giving up my kitchen to you."

Jerica let out a small sigh, a mix of relief and contemplation. "I’ll think about it some more," she said. Jared held her in his embrace.

And she would. It wasn’t just about her anymore—it was about their family, their future.

-----

As Jared returned to work, Jerica found herself caught between pride and worry. Her morning sickness had subsided enough for her to feel somewhat normal again, but her anxiety lingered. Arthur wasn’t thrilled about Jared’s decision to return to the same position, believing it to be beneath him and possibly unsafe.

However, Jared was resolute. His determination left no room for negotiation, and Arthur, knowing his daughter’s unwavering support for her husband, reluctantly backed down.

One evening, as they lounged together on the couch, Jerica broached the topic carefully. "My dad will try to get you promoted," she said, her voice tinged with hesitation.

She glanced at Jared, her eyes searching his face for any signs of irritation. She knew her parents well—they were relentless when it came to pushing their children toward what they thought was best, often ignoring what their children truly wanted. It gave her anxiety to think about the inevitable clash that might arise between her husband’s pride and her father’s influence.

Jared stared at her quietly for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to her utter surprise, he leaned in and kissed her, soft and lingering. "Oh, he will," he murmured with a smirk. "Let him."

Jerica’s eyes widened in disbelief. Had she heard him correctly? "You’re not serious," she said, her tone laced with doubt.

"You’re adorable when you look like that," Jared teased, his lips curving into a smile as he kissed her again, this time more deeply, more deliberately.

Her surprise melted into the warmth of his affection. "Did I hear you right?" she asked again, her voice barely a whisper as his kisses traveled down her jaw to her neck, sending shivers across her skin.

"Why not?" Jared replied, his voice low and husky as he peppered soft kisses along her collarbone. Without breaking the connection, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their bedroom.

Their intimacy that night was slow, deliberate, and full of unspoken emotions. Jared’s touch was gentle yet purposeful, his lips worshiping every inch of her as though committing her to memory. He was attentive, careful not to exert too much pressure on her growing belly, yet still passionate enough to leave her breathless. Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, each caress and whisper reinforcing the bond they shared.

By the time they lay entangled together, the warmth of their love lingered on their bare skin, a quiet testament to the depth of their connection.

Jerica rested her hand on his head as he lay against her chest, her fingers absentmindedly threading through his hair. "What if someone told you that you only got where you are because of your father-in-law?" she asked softly, voicing the nagging thought that had been plaguing her mind.

Jared shifted slightly, his lips brushing against her collarbone. "I’d tell them to be as competent as me to have a father-in-law willing to do that for them," he said, his tone casual yet laced with confidence. His kisses trailed lower, stopping to press a gentle one on her belly.

Jerica’s fingers stilled in his hair as she stared at him, her heart swelling. This was a different side of Jared—a man who, not too long ago, had been too proud to accept even her share of their rent. "What changed?" she asked, her voice barely audible.