Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 824

"Grandma, I'm not joking." Ariel could tell Betty was genuinely worried.

"Remember how I was accused of having an abortion to get rid of Jayson's child?" she continued.

Her words drew a heavy silence. The memory of that lost child had left a scar in everyone's heart.

Jayson turned his gaze toward Ariel as well.

Ariel looked around the room before continuing, "Jayson managed to save that child. She was transferred into an artificial womb and sent to a medical institution in Nacsall that specialized in this kind of technology to ensure her growth and survival.

"She was safely 'born' recently. That's our daughter, Claire."

For a moment, the room fell completely silent.

The couple watched as shock, disbelief, and joy flickered across their family members' faces. Everyone needed time to process the astonishing news.

Those from high society had access to advanced technologies that most ordinary people could only dream of.

Since none of them were strangers to such privilege, they found Ariel's explanation believable.

Betty suddenly slapped her hand to her forehead before rushing over to the baby in Evelyn's arms.

When she gently lifted the thin blanket, she saw a tiny face that resembled both Jayson and Ariel.

Claire didn't cry or fuss. Instead, she grabbed Betty's finger with her small hand.

Betty was so elated that she was grinning from ear to ear. "So, this is my lovely great-granddaughter? My goodness! She's adorable! Let me get a good look at her."

Ariel couldn't help but smile at how quickly Betty's reaction changed after hearing the truth.

Evelyn, who had just snapped out of her daze, immediately joined Betty to get a better look at the baby. She didn't even realize the corners of her lips had lifted slightly.

Renee, a little stiff, slowly inched closer as well. "They say nieces and their aunts usually look alike, right?" she murmured awkwardly.

Meanwhile, Katie's eyes glistened with emotion. She pulled Ariel into a hug and quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Katie, by now, had grown certain of one thing—Jayson and Ariel had already worked things out. Whatever had once kept them apart had vanished completely. She could tell they had reached an understanding.

And with Jayson having gone to such lengths to protect Ariel's child, Katie couldn't possibly have any more doubts about their relationship.

The atmosphere during dinner was cheerful and full of life after the good news.

Renee glanced at Claire, who was in the cradle, and muttered with a spoon still in her mouth, "She didn't have to go through labor or the discomfort of late pregnancy. Isn't it more convenient for women to have kids this way?"

Renee knew Jayson well now. He had always bottled up his feelings, pretending not to care about Ariel when, in truth, he loved her deeply. He had even managed to fool everyone else.

Renee felt restless and embarrassed. She wished she could just dig a hole and hide in it.

If she hadn't misunderstood Ariel—if she hadn't believed that Ariel schemed her way into the family while Jayson despised her—things between them might not have turned so awkward.

Now, Renee didn't even know what to say. Her neck stiffened as she tried to avoid looking in Ariel's direction.