Chapter 4

That evening when Jackson came home, I was unusually calm.

I prepared dinner and even served him a bowl of soup.

"Honey, I have something to show you."

After dinner, I gently placed the test report in front of him.

He just picked up the report, glanced at it, then looked up at me with disappointed eyes.

"Aria, why... why won't you just trust me?"

I froze.

I practically shouted.

"The housekeeper is taking pregnancy-preserving supplements! Why would the housekeeper need to take these?"

His eyes reddened, but he didn't speak.

He just stood up, walked to the bedroom, and opened the bedside table drawer.

He pulled out another document and threw it in front of me.

It was a diagnosis report in Susan's name.

In black and white, it stated the diagnosis: threatened miscarriage.

The date was the day after I discovered the pregnancy test.

I stood there as if struck by lightning.

"Are you satisfied now?"

Jackson's voice trembled as he pointed at the diagnosis report.

"Mom is old and her health is poor. The doctor said her pregnancy is unstable and she needs medicine to prevent miscarriage!"

"I was afraid you'd overthink again, so I had Rachel help Mom with the medicine! Every day I'm on edge, taking care of Mom on one side and trying to reassure you on the other!"

He looked up, his face covered in tears.

"Aria, why are you pushing our family to this point! Why are you forcing me to become a liar!"

At that moment, I felt like I was the executioner holding the knife.

His tearful accusations, that diagnosis report—they made all my righteous indignation seem like a joke.

I was speechless, my heart filled with helplessness and extreme pain.

I had lost, utterly defeated.

I suddenly felt so tired, so very tired.

Fine.

The next day, after the family finished breakfast as usual, I called out to the housekeeper Rachel, who was about to return to her room.

"Rachel, come here, this is for you."

I pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift box containing an adorable teddy bear.

"Mrs. Thorne, this... I couldn't possibly."

Rachel seemed flattered.

I smiled warmly and stuffed the bear into her arms.

"I noticed you're alone here and your room looks so empty. Put this doll there—think of it as keeping you company. It'll make the room feel cozier."

Rachel's eyes reddened as she gratefully hugged the bear.

"Thank you, Mrs. Thorne. You're so good to me."

That teddy bear's left eye contained a pinhole camera that could connect to my phone for real-time monitoring.

Over the next two days, I kept my eyes glued to my phone.

Sure enough, Rachel placed the bear on her bedside table, giving a clear view of most of the room.

I watched her secretly take medicine, caressing her belly with a happy, smug smile.

On the third afternoon, Susan sneaked into the housekeeper's room and deliberately closed the door.

In the surveillance footage, Susan pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to Rachel, unable to hide her joy.

"Rachel, take this money. Buy whatever you want to eat. Don't deprive my grandson."

Rachel stuffed the money into her bedside table and smiled ingratiatingly.

"Thank you. But Mrs. Thorne has been very quiet lately. I'm worried she might be plotting something."

Susan snorted dismissively.

"She's just a woman who's driven herself nearly insane! Jackson doesn't need her anymore. You just focus on your pregnancy. Once the baby's born, I'll find an excuse to make them divorce! Then you'll be the rightful mistress of this house!"

"Really?"

"Of course it's true! The fact that you're carrying my son's child is your greatest advantage!"

I watched those two faces twisted with malice and greed on my phone screen, my heart growing colder and colder.

I listened to every word of their plan and saved the video.