Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 541

**TITLE: Created 541**

**Chapter 541 Heavy Heart**

As she made her way back, outwardly composed, a tempest of emotions raged within her. The facade of calmness she presented was a mere veil, hiding the turmoil that churned in her heart.

At this moment, the heavy, cold ache that had gripped her chest began to thaw, just slightly, as if warmth was seeping into her very core.

“Yeah, I know,” Anneliese said softly, wrapping her arms around Jessica in a comforting embrace, her hand gently patting Jessica’s shoulder in a gesture of solidarity.

Jessica, acutely aware of the tremor in Anneliese’s voice, felt a frown deepen on her brow. The weight of concern settled heavily on her shoulders.

What had Jonathan done that had left Anneliese so visibly shaken?

They stepped inside the house, and Nishay was there, her anxiety palpable as she repeatedly glanced toward the door, anticipation etched on her face.

The moment the elevator doors slid open, Anneliese spotted Nishay and instinctively donned a bright, cheerful smile, determined to mask her inner turmoil.

“Grandma, I’m back! We still have time to whip up dinner together, don’t we? Come on, let’s get moving!” she exclaimed, the enthusiasm in her voice ringing a bit hollow.

A hat perched on her head concealed the bandage that wrapped around the back of her head, a silent testament to her struggles.

Nishay, blissfully unaware of the hidden pain, felt her earlier unease dissipate as she saw Anneliese return.

“It’s the holidays, and you’re still running around like a busy bee. Jessica and I have already tackled most of dinner. You really don’t need to help. Just look at you—you seem so pale. Did you not get enough rest these past couple of days?”

Worry etched itself into Nishay’s features as she studied Anneliese. Without hesitation, Anneliese took her arm, trying to reassure her.

“Yeah, I had a lot of testing to do, and it was pretty exhausting,” Anneliese admitted, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Then you should go rest for a while,” Nishay insisted, her voice laced with concern.

Jessica, sensing the moment, gently nudged Anneliese toward the bedroom. “Alright, enough of this. You need to rest. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

Anneliese felt herself being ushered into the bedroom, a small smile creeping onto her face as she overheard Jessica and Nishay whispering outside, their words a comforting hum.

Once inside, she changed into a more comfortable outfit and sank onto the couch, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on her. She pulled out her phone, her heart racing as she saw a WhatsApp message from Jonathan: ‘Did you manage to get through it? I asked a doctor to be on standby. If anything urgent happens, you can reach out to her.’

He had also included a phone number, and Anneliese found herself staring at it, her fingers tightening around her phone as if it were a lifeline.

Carter had returned to Halden for the holidays, leaving her alone in Oceaton, and Jonathan’s concern for her safety at Nishay’s place was evident. He had taken the initiative to find a doctor who could assist her in an emergency, a gesture that filled her with warmth and dread in equal measure.

Anneliese emerged from Nishay’s room, noticing that Jessica had already turned off the television.

“Did Grandma go to sleep?” Anneliese asked, her voice soft.

With a nod, Jessica exhaled a sigh of relief. “Want to hang out in my room for a bit?”

Anneliese had been hoping for just that. They exchanged a small, knowing smile, a silent agreement that brought a flicker of comfort amidst their worries.

As they entered Jessica’s room, Anneliese’s gaze fell upon the window seat, which had been transformed into a cozy nook adorned with twinkling string lights and a small table laden with juice and an assortment of snacks and pastries.

Curiosity piqued, she approached the table and examined the juice, her mind racing with possibilities.

Turning back to Jessica, she grinned knowingly. “Looks like I don’t even need to ask. I’m going to have a little godson or goddaughter, aren’t I?”

Her tone was playful yet confident, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she glanced at Jessica’s stomach.

If Jessica weren’t pregnant, she would have popped open a bottle of wine to celebrate this joyous occasion without a second thought.

Jessica, realizing Anneliese had pieced it together, offered a small, bittersweet smile. She turned to her nightstand, opened a drawer, and handed Anneliese a plastic bag, the gesture filled with unspoken emotions.