When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese) novel Chapter 553

Jessica barely recognized the reflection in the photo.

Yet it was unmistakably hers. Her unborn child was already reshaping her from within, instilling a quiet, resilient strength.

As she stared at the image, her hand moved to her lower abdomen, brushing it gently. Her eyes welled with heat.

She gripped her phone tightly, glanced at Anneliese, and blurted without thinking,

"Anne, I want to keep this baby!"

Anneliese paused for a moment, unsurprised. She smiled softly. "Alright."

She understood Jessica instinctively.

Girls like them, who lacked strong family roots, often carried their emotions intensely; even if they appeared bold and unshakable, matters of love and kinship weren't casual.

People had always longed for what they had never possessed. That was human nature.

Jessica had spent years in solitude. Now a child was part of her, tied to her by blood. Letting him go had been unthinkable.

"Anne, you won't try to change my mind?"

Anneliese's simple nod made Jessica blink in mild astonishment.

Anneliese chuckled. "I always knew you'd make this choice. Why would I persuade you to change your mind? As I said, we can handle it financially. And genetically, Zane is top-tier—no matter which traits the baby inherits, I believe he will be more than fine. There's no reason not to keep him."

A year prior, when Anneliese herself had been adrift and unsure, she might have urged caution.

Now, sitting on a fortune worth hundreds of millions, she had no reservations.

She could fully support Jessica. If Jessica wanted the child, she could have the child without fear.

Jessica smiled, sensing the reassurance. Anneliese was just about to ask if she planned to tell Zane when the door swung open, and Nishay stepped in.

Both women flinched and went silent immediately.

Their sudden hush, however, drew Nishay's attention.

Anneliese quickly stepped forward. "Grandma, is something wrong?"

Nishay regarded her steadily. "Anne, are you seeing someone?"

Anneliese blinked, a tight knot of nerves forming. "Why are you asking this now?"

Seeing Nishay's guilt, Anneliese interjected. "It's not your fault. People change."

Before rising to prominence, the Shaw family had been different. Hearts shift more rapidly and unpredictably than the weather.

Nishay settled on the bed's edge and cautioned them gently,

"You're still young. Take your time with emotions. Don't settle for less. You're remarkable girls, just as capable as anyone with both parents. Stand tall. You'll meet men worthy of you."

"You're right, Grandma," Anneliese said with her usual sweetness. Nishay studied her a moment longer.

"Anne, I remember you've got a few seniors. You and them..."

Anneliese waved quickly, cutting off the speculation. "Nothing's going on. Most of them already have girlfriends. Don't overthink it."

Nishay accepted her answer, letting it go.

She pondered to herself, Anne is clearly seeing someone, though she won't admit it. Judging by what she's said, her boyfriend isn't from the lab. Then who could it be?

Then she remembered the message she had received earlier: 'Your granddaughter is with the wrong person. She's going to get hurt sooner or later. Watch over her and talk some sense into her.'

She wondered who had sent that message just now and why they would claim the man wasn't right for Anneliese.