Chapter 376 Holding a Wedding with Jessa
"Staring at her?" Jerry scoffed. "You woke up at noon and found her in your bed. What about before you woke up?"
Francis only remembered crashing around 3 a.m. and waking up at noon.
Francis frowned slightly. "Is that enough time? Are there doctors on call for this kind of thing in the middle of the night?"
Jerry said, "She knew we were heading to Oceancrest City for our honeymoon. If she had a plan, she would've set it up in advance. With artificial insemination, the sooner, the better."
Francis still couldn't wrap his head around it. "Simon is just one floor below. If Jessa went out, he would know."
Jerry looked at Francis without saying a word and handed him a tablet.
"What?" Francis asked.
"See for yourself," Jerry replied.
Francis saw a lot of text on the screen, and the more he read, the more incredulous he became.
"Are you saying she took my... and put it in her... How is that possible?" Francis couldn't believe it.
Jerry also found it weird, but in this world, unimaginable things did happen.
Jerry said, "The surveillance didn't show her leaving the hotel during that time, not even leaving the floor I booked. Everyone under your command said they didn't see Jessa at any of the exits. Unless she flew out."
Francis said, "The rooftop helicopter could fly."
Jerry retorted, "It's so quiet at night. If your people didn't notice that kind of movement, they shouldn't be working for you."
All possibilities were ruled out, leaving only the most unbelievable one.
Francis flipped the tablet over and rubbed his temples hard. After a while, he still couldn't accept it and said, "Couldn't she have had a child with Efren?"
Compared to Francis's anxiety, Jerry seemed calm. "I didn't deny that possibility. I just proposed another one."
"Are you trying to disgust me?"
"Ungrateful," Jerry said, "I brought up this possibility so you could prove it wrong. If it comes to a DNA test and the result is yours, your family might keep the child. Even if Elissa loves you and is generous enough to overlook the child's existence, there will always be a connection between you and Jessa."
Francis still found it impossible. "From what I see, she wants to abort the child and frame me so I can never deny it's mine. This morning she told me she would abort the child if I completely broke up with Elissa."
Jerry impatiently said, "I just said you had a brain, and now you're being stupid again. Can't she be testing your attitude to decide her next move?"
In the past, Francis always handled things calmly and efficiently. But these past two days, worried about Elissa, he had been relying on Jerry.
Jerry proposed, and Francis pondered.
"Do you have a solution?" Francis asked.
Jerry smoothed his pant leg and said calmly, "There is a way, but you might not be able to do it."
Francis wasn't as patient as Jerry for now. "Just tell me."
After a brief silence, Jerry's lips curled slightly. "Have a wedding with Jessa."
Francis glared at Jerry. "Are you serious?"
"I'm not saying you should really marry her. Just have a wedding and see how she handles the child." Jerry's eyes turned cold. "If she tries to abort the child after the wedding, then it's not yours. If she doesn't, then it definitely is."
Francis laughed angrily. "If it were you, would you use this method?"
Jerry leaned back in his chair, speaking casually, "I wouldn't let this situation happen in the first place."
At the hospital, Elissa was finally discharged after her IV drip. She didn't want to stay there any longer, worried someone might come to talk to her again.
Back at her own place, Elissa felt better and thought she might recover faster.
"You're cooking now?" Hope asked, bringing Elissa some water. She noticed the kitchen was filled with new utensils and a fully stocked fridge.
Hope teased, "If I remember correctly, you don't know the first thing about cooking."
"You really know how to talk," Elissa said, leaning against the doorframe and sipping her milk. "Francis cooks, I wash dishes."
Hope was surprised. "You wash dishes? Don't you hate getting oil on your hands? And didn't you install a dishwasher?"
Not cooking but installing a dishwasher was something Hope couldn't understand at the time. Elissa buying kitchen utensils made sense; she wanted her home to feel like a home. The dishwasher seemed unnecessary, but now Hope couldn't say anything about it.
Hope said, "Your life seems to be going well. You two seem to be in sync in every way."
Elissa threw away the milk carton, rubbed her face, and lowered her eyes, her voice rarely low. "Hope, when I got home, I suddenly felt..."
Knowing Elissa for so many years, even if she hesitated, Hope could understand her thoughts. Hope hugged her, gently patting her back. "Elissa, you've overcome so many difficulties. I believe you'll be even better now and in the future. I'll always be with you."
Just like in the past.
Elissa smiled. "Are you afraid I'll commit suicide again?"
"You wouldn't dare," Hope said, though she hugged her tighter.
After a while, Elissa came out of Hope's embrace and said calmly, "I just wanted to say that I felt very uncomfortable in the hospital, but I feel much better at home. As for the future, it won't be easy, but I'm happy you're determined to be with me."
Hearing this, Hope felt relieved and handed her the water. "Have some water. Steven will probably bring us food soon."
Originally, Hope wanted to order takeout, but Jerry didn't agree. As soon as she finished speaking, the doorbell rang.
Hope went to open the door, and it was not just Steven but also Simon.
Simon greeted, "Mrs. Hammer."
Hope asked, "Here to deliver food?"
Simon respectfully replied, "Yes, Mr. Peterson sent me. It's all Ms. Wilson's favorite food."
"Give it to me." Hope took the food from both of them. "Thank you."
Simon said, "It's my duty."
Steven clearly had other matters to attend to and left first. Simon moved aside and stood straight. Hope didn't ask, assuming Francis knew Elissa was discharged and sent Simon to watch over her to prevent any disturbances.
She walked in and waved the food Simon brought. "Your love meal."
Elissa glanced at her. "You're the same."
Hope smiled. "Didn't I give you the bouquet before? When you wished me happiness, I said we would be happy and joyful together."
Elissa also smiled. She took a bite of the food Francis had sent and still thought his cooking was better. Even if it wasn't as refined as a fancy restaurant, it was still delicious.
"But Hope, I'm planning to separate from Francis," Elissa said.
Meanwhile, Francis returned to The Peterson Mansion, and Jessa was coming down the stairs. He glanced around and silently returned to his room.
Jessa somehow missed a step and almost tumbled down the stairs. Francis didn't reach out, but Jessa grabbed his arm.
After steadying herself, Jessa looked panic-stricken. "That was close. Thank goodness you came back. Otherwise, our child might not have made it."
Francis's face remained indifferent. Since that night at the hotel, he couldn't understand Jessa anymore, nor did he intend to. He definitely wouldn't give her any more chances to act out.
After a long silence, Jerry's suggested plan floated into Francis's mind.
He asked suddenly, "Jessa, do you want to marry me?"
Jessa was stunned, unable to believe what she had just heard. Francis had pretended to be sick just to visit Elissa in the hospital. Jessa was about to come up with a plan, but he suddenly proposed marriage. Even knowing it might be a trap, she couldn't suppress her joy.
She was so moved and said, "Francis, you still have feelings for me."
He said, "Let's have the wedding before your belly starts showing. Go pick out a wedding dress with my mom."
"Okay!" Jessa was ecstatic but still retained a bit of rationality. "But... will the Peterson family agree to our marriage?"
The Peterson family only cared about whether the child in Jessa's belly was Francis's. Jessa had seen enough of the Peterson family's calm composure and cold indifference. But she also understood it best; being too kind wouldn't have gotten them to where they were today.
Francis lowered his eyes. "As long as the child in your belly is fine, and a DNA test in a month proves it's mine, they will agree. After all, you would have given birth to my first child. Maybe in the future, the Peterson family will need him to inherit."
Mentioning the child, Jessa's smile faded a bit.
Jessa asked, "Do we have to wait for the DNA test to have the wedding?"
"No, once the DNA test is done, I'll convince my family to marry you, making it official. As for the wedding, as long as you're physically up for it, you can have it as soon as you pick out the dress and venue. But I don't have time, so it's all up to you, okay?" Francis said.
Jessa already had a plan. Even if the child didn't make it and she couldn't marry Francis officially, having the wedding would ensure that Francis and Elissa could never be together again.
She said, "I can handle it, Francis. You go ahead with your stuff."
Francis watched Jessa walk towards Rainey, his eyes narrowing before he turned and climbed the stairs. Back in his room, he messaged Jerry.
Francis: [I told her.]
When Jerry received Francis's message, he also got one from Hope.
Hope: [Elissa said she wants to break up with Francis.]
Jerry felt exhausted that day, having to deal with Elissa and Francis's love life. When Elissa and Francis had a falling out before, Jerry didn't want to get involved. They were adults; shouldn't they know how to handle their own feelings? It turned out that they really didn't know. Francis letting his guard down and getting played by Jessa was something Jerry hadn't anticipated.
After some thought, Jerry replied to Hope first.
Jerry: [Francis and Jessa are having a wedding.]
Hope replied instantly: [?]
Jerry explained: [It's a test to see if Jessa will keep the child. If she doesn't after the wedding, it means the child isn't Francis's.]
Hope understood. A lot could change in a month. They were in a very passive position now, with Jessa holding too many cards. Having the wedding was the best way to break the deadlock.
Hope put down her phone and asked Elissa, "Are you serious? You just said you were happy that Francis was standing by you. Now you're saying this? By 'break up' do you mean a temporary separation until he deals with Jessa, or a permanent one?"
Elissa wanted to drink but couldn't because of the medication. She took a sip of water and said, "A permanent break-up. I can't match the Peterson family. It is enough to have him for a time. I don't want him to break with his family because of me. My dad, even though we've cut ties and haven't been in contact for years, is still my father. Francis is going into politics. My father would be a liability for him. So, if I can't help him, I shouldn't drag him down."
Hope felt deeply for her. Jerry had recorded these words in Elissa's room and sent them to her. Hope had intended to keep it from Elissa, but she had thought the same as Elissa and said almost the same words.
"He also said he wanted to face everything with me, live and die together." Elissa's eyes were red, but she kept smiling. "He carries the weight of his entire family. The Peterson family raised and educated him to continue their glory. So, I can't let him be ruined because of me. I can't let him live and die with me. His life isn't mine to decide."
Hope hadn't seen Elissa this upset for a long time. "If you want to stick it out, there might be a solution. Jerry and Francis will come up with something. Don't underestimate yourself. You're great, and your father might not be a stain on your life."
Elissa blinked, and tears fell in large drops. Hope pulled her to the sofa and covered her with a light blanket. "You need to rest more and sleep. Once the bump on your head goes down, you can start overthinking again."
Elissa didn't know why, but she felt drained of all energy and fell asleep crying. Hope gently wiped her tears and then picked up her phone to message Jerry. Jerry forwarded it to Francis. Their issues had to be dealt with by themselves, even the break-up.
Francis wanted to rush to Elissa as soon as he got the message. But as he reached the door, Jessa called out to him. "Francis, shouldn't you pick out a suit too?"
Francis's hand gripped the doorknob tightly. The cold metal pressed into his palm, leaving a mark and a lingering pain. Francis's voice was very calm. "You pick it. You know my size."
Jessa didn't say anything and really went to pick it out. Francis opened the door and left. The winter wind was like a knife, cutting through his clothes and into his bones, making him curl up in pain.
Elissa slept for a long time, dreaming about her entire life. When Elissa woke up, she felt parched and wanted water, but she was too groggy to move, so she called out for Hope. "Hope, I'm thirsty."
The living room lights were off, with only moonlight streaming in from the balcony. Elissa saw a shadow move until a large hand gripped her shoulder and lifted her up. The familiar cold scent mixed with tobacco filled her nose, and she realized it wasn't Hope. "Why... why are you here?"
（I highly recommend a captivating book that I couldn't put down for three days and nights. It's incredibly engaging and a must-read. The title of the book is "Easy Divorce, Hard Remarriage" You can find it by searching for it in the search bar.
Here is the synopsis of the book:
My husband fell in love with another woman and wanted a divorce. I agreed.
Getting divorced was easy, but getting back together won't be so simple.
After the divorce, my ex-husband discovered that I am the daughter of a wealthy family. He fell in love with me again and even knelt down to beg me to remarry him.
To this, I had only one word: "Get lost!"）
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