Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 58

There are undeniably things in this world that absolutely defy scientific explanation. For instance, the age-old wives' tale that toddlers who have just learned to speak possess an uncanny ability to accurately predict a baby's gender.

Hester had only ever heard Bella mention it before, always brushing it off as silly superstition. But now, staring down at the tiny hand resting squarely over her womb, she suddenly felt the full weight of that myth.

Gigi almost never initiated speech on her own, yet here she was, pressing her hand to Hester's stomach and proudly declaring 'baby sister.' And the terrifying part was, Hester hadn't breathed a single word of her pregnancy to Jasper.

Hester gently stroked Gigi's soft cheek, searching the toddler's huge eyes. "Gigi," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I didn't quite catch that. Could you say it one more time?"

Gigi nodded firmly and repeated in her milky, sweet voice, "Baby sister in Mommy's tummy."

Her little hand patted Hester's stomach, her expression entirely serious.

Hester was now a total believer.

Across the table, Jasper finally broke out of his stunned stupor. He stared at her, his jaw slack. "Ms. Carrington, are you pregnant?"

Hester pressed her lips together, violently torn over whether she should confess the truth.

But Jasper had already read the confirmation perfectly on her face. Terrified she might think he was overstepping, he hurriedly explained. "Ms. Carrington, I know this is highly personal and I absolutely shouldn't pry. But you are my client. Even though you and Mr. Weston have signed the divorce agreement, that contract legally omits any clauses regarding the custody of an unborn child."

Hearing his professional rationale, the last of Hester's hesitations dissolved. He was right. Jasper was her attorney; arming him with the complete truth would only strengthen her position if things escalated to court.

Jasper adjusted his glasses, his eyes sharp and serious. "If Mr. Weston ever discovers the child's existence, as the biological father, he retains explicit legal rights. Even post-divorce, he has every right to petition the courts and wage a full-scale legal war for custody."

"I'm fully aware of that," Hester said flatly. "I will hide it for as long as humanly possible. As long as I can slip out of the country safely to deliver, I won't step foot back here for at least five years. And if, in the distant future, he ever tries to rip my child away from me, we'll go to war in court. May the best lawyer win."

Half a decade could change everything. By then, Julian would probably have married Melody and fathered a whole house full of kids. He likely wouldn't even have the time or interest to hunt down her child for a custody battle.

Jasper scrutinized the woman sitting across from him. Sabrina had privately briefed him on the tragic backstory: five years ago, Hester had suffered a devastating miscarriage, losing twins. The trauma had completely broken her. It took half a decade to finally crawl out of that dark abyss and agree to try for a baby with Julian again. But her reward for that vulnerability was her husband's sickening infidelity. What was worse, Julian's mistress had been a destitute student Hester had personally sponsored out of pure charity.

Before officially meeting Hester, Jasper had fully expected to walk into a room with a hysterical, utterly destroyed woman consumed by vindictive rage. But he had completely misjudged her.