Chapter 9 Illegitimate

"Uncle Charles," Hugh called as he entered, his voice tight with concern. "I heard Grandpa fainted. How is he now?" He had overheard the nurse mention Charles's name in this ward. Without thinking, he rushed inside, barely noticing the others present. Charles didn't even blink, his gaze still and indifferent. "Just an old issue. The doctors are handling it." Hugh's eyes moved around the room, and his breath caught. Jessica. Again? Selene cut in, her tone sharp as a blade. "Who let you in? Get out." Jessica didn't respond, her lips pressed into a firm line as she sat by the bed, her attention solely on her son. She didn't spare Hugh so much as a glance. Hugh's eyes flicked to the child. His chest tightened. The boy ... looks so much like Uncle Charles. He blinked, his mind racing. Could this boy be Charles' son? No. Impossible. Charles had never been seen with a woman. Where could this child have come from? A secret son? Charles? The idea felt absurd, a distant thought he could not embrace. Before he could piece it together, Selene stepped in front of him, blocking his view. "Are you deaf? Didn't I tell you to leave?" Her voice cracked like a whip. Charles, ever calm, spared a glance at Jessica, his eyes flickering before turning back to Hugh. "You came all the way here just to see your grandfather?" Hugh tore his eyes away, still shaken. "I'm with Rhea," he said slowly, as if the words tasted foreign on his tongue. "She's been ill from the pregnancy. I came to check on Grandpa. We'll see him together later." The mention of Rhea made Jessica tense. Pregnant? Her thoughts spun, confused. Charles glanced at his watch. "Time's almost up. Let's go. I'll take you to him." As he turned to leave, he paused, his gaze flickering to Arthur. "Don't forget what I said, boy. No more ice cream." Arthur groaned, his face twisting in mock disgust. "Charles, you're so full of yourself." The look in his eyes was clear: Mind your business. "Enough. You need your rest," Jessica murmured, her hand smoothing over her son's head. She feared Charles's displeasure, but he merely smiled, unruffled. Charles walked toward the door, but stopped when he saw Hugh standing motionless, eyes still fixed on Jessica and her child. He raised an eyebrow, his voice dry. "What's the matter? Not going to see your grandpa?" Hugh snapped back to himself, his gaze lingering on the child for a moment longer before he followed Charles out of the room. Once outside, Hugh couldn't hold back any longer. "Uncle Charles," he asked, his voice low. "That kid ... he can't be Ms. Scott's son, can he?" Charles shot him a look, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, he's hers. What's it to you?" Hugh froze, his mind tumbling over itself. Her son? Jessica had a child ... A surge of rage flared within him, fierce and blinding. And she denies her betrayal? How rich. His expression hardened, the corners of his mouth curling into a forced, hollow laugh. "Nothing, really. Just a little curious," he muttered, his voice tight. Inside the room, Selene was still fuming at Hugh. "Jessica, did you hear what he said? Rhea's pregnant! Can you believe it? And he has the audacity to say that in front of you!" "Stop bringing them up," Jessica replied, her voice barely a whisper. The image of Rhea and that male doctor from the hallway earlier lingered in her mind, haunting her. Selene huffed, disgust clear in her voice. "Right, no more of that pair. They've already ruined the mood." Arthur blinked up at her, his face confused. "Mommy, who's godmom yelling at?" Jessica's hand smoothed his hair, her heart heavy. She had never spoken to him about the friction between her and Hugh. "Just adult stuff. Don't worry about it. Lie back and rest," she said softly, trying to shield him from it all. Selene glanced at the boy, a sudden thought crossing her mind. She hesitated before speaking, her voice laced with curiosity."Jessica... have you noticed? Arthur and your boss look alike?" Before Jessica could respond, Arthur's small voice piped up, his face emerging from under the covers. "I don't look anything like that arrogant mister! I'm way more handsome!" Selene stifled a laugh, her eyes twinkling. "Right, right. Definitely more handsome than him." Jessica bit her lip, her gaze fixed on her son. She didn't want to acknowledge it, but the resemblance to Charles was undeniable. Still, she refused to entertain the thought. Could it be? Could the man from five years ago really be him? Her mind spun, uneasy and fragmented. She didn't want to dive deeper into those thoughts. She had no intention of re-entering the tangled web of the Hensleys. After Arthur had taken his medicine and rested for a while, they were certain he was feeling better. It was time to go home. As they stepped out of the room, a doctor approached them. "Jessica? Is that really you?" She turned at the sound of her name. An older man stood before her, his hair streaked with gray. She blinked, taken aback, before recognition washed over her. "Dr. Chortleheim?" Dr. Chortleheim was her father's attending physician. He was nothing short of kind to Jessica's father during his stay here. Dr. Chortleheim's laugh was warm and booming, echoing down the hall. "It really is you! It's been years. I've been meaning to get in touch." "Is something wrong, Dr. Chortleheim?" Jessica asked, confusion creeping into her voice. The doctor's smile faltered, his expression turning somber. "Before your father passed, he asked me to give you a box. There was so much going on at the time, I forgot to bring it to you. It's been sitting at my place all this time. When you're free, give me a call. You can come by and pick it up."