The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 405

"And these too." Nicole handed her a box of snacks. "Eat them while they're fresh. I waited in line for half an hour for these."

Amelia's eyes were still swollen like walnuts, but the corners crinkled with a genuine smile. She took a few bites, looking noticeably brighter. Nicole knew exactly why she'd been crying, but she didn't bring it up, knowing how much Amelia valued her pride.

"Nicole, Jasper, you're here! Have some fruit." Lauren walked over, resting a hand on her stomach with a radiant, happy smile.

"Ms. Cross!" Nicole rushed over to help her. "Easy now, take it slow."

"Oh!" Lauren winced suddenly, but her smile only widened.

"Ms. Cross? Is everything okay?"

"The little guy just kicked me. He's usually so quiet I actually start to worry about him."

"Really?" Nicole started to reach out to feel, but then pulled her hand back, feeling a bit shy.

Lauren caught her hand and gave it a warm squeeze. "Go ahead, you can touch."

As Nicole felt the movement beneath her palm, she was reminded of the happy times when her sister-in-law was pregnant. "He's very active."

Amelia shook her head. "He is not. Normally, he's so quiet it's like he isn't even in there."

"Amelia, don't say things like that," Nicole teased. Then, leaning toward Lauren's belly, she whispered, "Hey there, little cling-on. Already obsessed with your big sister, huh?"

Lauren laughed helplessly. "Well, Nicole, it seems he likes you."

"And I like him too!"

Amelia eventually pulled Nicole toward the stairs. "Mom, we're going to my room to talk."

"Go on then," Lauren said. "Just let the butler know if you need anything sent up."

As the girls headed upstairs, Lauren quickly pulled Jasper aside.

"Ms. Cross?" Jasper asked.

"Jasper, tell me—what happened to Amelia? Last night she was sobbing under her covers, and it was heartbreaking. Her father and I were too scared to even go in. We didn't want her to feel embarrassed or have things be awkward between us later, so we just stayed up all night outside her door, passing in packs of tissues. We've been worried sick."

Jasper rubbed his forehead, struggling to find the right words.

"Is someone bullying her at Azure Peak University?"

Lauren immediately shook her head. "No, that can't be it. Who in Azure Peak City would dare lay a finger on my daughter? They'd have to have a death wish."

"Nobody is bullying her, Ms. Cross."

"Is it... boy trouble?"

Jasper hesitated even more at that, but after a moment, he gave a slight nod.

"Does Jaron have a girlfriend?" Lauren guessed.

"Yeah."

"That Nathaniel!" Lauren fumed. "He had a lot of nerve talking about our families joining through marriage while his son was out seeing someone else. If Amelia had actually agreed to the arrangement, she would have been humiliated!"

She knew her daughter better than anyone; Amelia had to be devastated.

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