Chapter 4

After Natasha left, Jessica walked up to me, looking all sweet and obedient.

"It's nothing," I said, gently patting her belly. "You're the one really working hard, giving the Burton family a child. Isn't that right, Vincent?"

Jessica was already a bit annoyed when I touched her belly, but when Vincent agreed with me and said, "Helena's right." Her face fell even more.

She frowned and tugged at Vincent's arm. "Honey, my stomach hurts. Help me sit."

Vincent was about to help, but I beat him to it, steadying Jessica myself. I shot Vincent a look. "I'll handle it. Jessica's pregnant, so we need to be extra careful. You men are always so rough. Don't go hurting her."

I was so considerate toward Jessica that Vincent said softly, "Helena, you really do think of everything."

I gave him a teasing glance. "You're just figuring that out now?"

We were basically flirting right in front of everyone.

Jessica's face darkened even more. Clearly trying to embarrass me, she said, "Helena, you really are as good at taking care of people as Vincent says. You're way better than that maid we had before.

"If I'd known, I never would've hired her. I should've just let you handle it from the beginning."

She was basically putting me on the same level as the maid.

She probably thought that would embarrass me. Being young had its advantages, but it also came with its own set of problems.

Jessica had no idea how tough a woman who'd fought her way through the business world and the battlefield of marriage could be.

"Family always takes better care of family," I said, my eyes drifting to her belly. "Besides... this is your baby, but it's mine as well."

Jessica suddenly raised her voice, glaring at me furiously. "It's my baby. How could it possibly be yours? Are you so obsessed with having a kid that you've lost your mind?"

Feigning anxiety under her glare, I glanced nervously at Vincent. He reached over and gently patted Jessica's hand.

Vincent said, "Helena's got a point. Didn't we already agree that once the baby arrives, Helena would help you take care of it?"

Jessica pressed her lips together, gave Vincent a quick look, and then slipped right back into her sweet, obedient act.

*****

Two days later, Jessica moved into the villa.

Ever since she got pregnant, she'd been acting spoiled because Vincent doted on her, and her attitude got worse and worse.

Vincent was never that patient. He could put up with her at first, but eventually, even he was worn out.

With a mountain of work piling up at the office, he was totally swamped and desperate for help, so he had no choice but to turn to me.

When Vincent was with Jessica, I'd head to the office and handle his work for him.

When he was at work, I'd stay home and look after Jessica, taking care of her every little need.

Jessica sneered. "Look at you, a barren hen strutting around. You're nothing but an eyesore. Can't you take a hint and get lost? Or are you going to wait until I have this baby before I kick you out?"

Whenever Vincent wasn't home, Jessica acted even more arrogant, barking at me and saying whatever nasty thing popped into her head.

But I just swallowed my pride and kept looking after her, never once snapping back.

"Eat some more grapes. Makes the baby's eyes big, you know. I'd love to see that," I said, trying to sound extra sweet.

I set the plate of freshly washed grapes in front of Jessica, but she just tossed it straight onto the floor.

She snapped, "Don't even think about my baby!"

I shot back, "Your baby? Come on. This is the Burtons' baby. It's also Vincent's and mine."

Jessica's face changed instantly. She pointed at me and yelled, "Seriously? Have you no shame? This is my baby with Vincent!"

I gave her a faint smile. "Vincent is Mr. Burton, and I'm Mrs. Burton. So how could the Burton family's baby ever be yours?"

Jessica said smugly, "You really think you can keep playing Mrs. Burton for much longer? Once I have this baby, you'll be out on your ass. I'm the real Mrs. Burton."

I looked at her, let out a sigh, and shook my head. "You're just too young."

Jessica frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I said, "Don't you know Vincent and I built Burton Group together from scratch? He can't do anything at work without me.

"So, why would he ever dump me for you? I'm the one whose name is on all the paperwork. Who are you, really?"

I kept my tone light. "Vincent and I have spent ten years building everything we have. The only thing missing is a kid, and that's just because my body can't handle it. So, I should be thanking you."

I looked at Jessica. "Thanks for giving Vincent and me a child. Relax. While you're living here, I'll take care of you better than anyone else, so our baby comes into this world happy and healthy."

Jessica was just too emotionally fragile. She completely lost control and went on a rampage, smashing anything in the house she could get her hands on.

Vincent hurried home, worry written all over his face, only to walk into a living room that looked like a war zone.

Jessica threw herself into his arms, weeping uncontrollably. Vincent scooped her up and carried her upstairs, spending a long time trying to comfort her.