My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Elias, You’re So Nice

The surprise she had originally prepared was useless now, but she had an even bigger one to give him herself.

Vesper Grayson pursed her lips slightly and said softly, "I’ll give it to you after we finish eating."

A fleeting glimmer of anticipation flashed through Jared Hawthorne’s dark eyes. He grew even more curious about what kind of surprise she had in store for him.

He patiently finished the meal with her and followed her back to the bedroom.

The moment they entered, he reached out, grabbed her wrist, and gently pulled her into his embrace, his low chuckle sounding by her ear.

"Miss Grayson, you’re not just teasing me, are you?"

"Close your eyes first," Vesper Grayson said, tilting her face up to look at him seriously.

Jared Hawthorne raised an eyebrow but obediently closed his eyes.

Vesper Grayson took the folded ultrasound report from her pocket and gently placed it in his palm.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now." Her voice carried a hint of imperceptible nervousness. ’What will his reaction be when he sees this? Will he be happy about the baby’s arrival?’

Jared Hawthorne paused, slowly opening his eyes. He lowered his gaze to the folded piece of paper in his palm.

"This is the surprise Miss Grayson has for me?"

"Just open it and see."

The paper slowly unfolded. The moment he saw what was written on it, his pupils constricted. His gaze was riveted on the words "Pregnancy: 5 weeks" as he froze on the spot, motionless for a long moment.

Seeing his prolonged silence, Vesper Grayson’s heart grew more and more uneasy. She probed quietly, "President Hawthorne... you’re not thinking of shirking responsibility, are you?"

Jared Hawthorne snapped back to his senses and pulled her into a tight embrace, the force so great it felt as if he wanted to merge her into his very bones.

"It’s my child, of course I’ll take responsibility. I was just... so happy. Vesper, I’m going to be a father. Thank you."

He had never had the slightest desire for children before, but in this moment, because she was the one carrying his child, he anticipated the arrival of this new little life more than anyone.

’This is my child with Vesper.’

The weight on Vesper Grayson’s heart finally lifted, but her face was troubled. "But we’re not married yet. Getting pregnant now... doesn’t this count as a premarital pregnancy?"

How could Jared Hawthorne not understand her worries? He leaned down and placed a light kiss on the crown of her head, his voice low. "First thing tomorrow morning, we’ll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau and register our marriage. I’ll start arranging the wedding tomorrow, too, and get it on the schedule as soon as possible."

"Isn’t that too rushed?"

"You’re just over a month pregnant now. We’ll aim to have the wedding within three months so it won’t affect you wearing a beautiful wedding dress." He pressed his forehead against hers, his tone gentle and certain. "Leave everything about the wedding to me. You don’t have to worry about a thing. Just relax and wait to be my bride."

The corners of Vesper Grayson’s lips turned up slightly. She reached out and gently hugged him back. A sudden sting in her nose made her eyes begin to well up.

’When a man truly wants to marry you, it has nothing to do with how long you’ve been dating; it’s a matter of a single decision. She and Jared Hawthorne hadn’t known each other long, and they’d only been together for two months, but the security and devotion he gave her were things she had never experienced in her three-year relationship with Luke Lockwood. If Luke Lockwood had truly cared about her, why would he have waited until she was the one proposing, still refusing to give her a proper title after three years? In this moment, it made what she had once thought was true love seem utterly laughable.’

"Moved so easily?" Jared Hawthorne looked down at the reddened corners of her eyes, his tone tinged with affectionate teasing.

Vesper Grayson shook her head gently, her voice soft. "Elias, you’re so good to me."

’If she hadn’t run away from her arranged marriage, hadn’t resisted her father’s plans, and had met Jared Hawthorne sooner, she would have fallen for him long ago. She wouldn’t have had to travel all the way to Ashmore, only to get her heart broken for a love that wasn’t worth it and return in such a miserable state.’

"This is just the beginning," he chuckled lowly. "As long as Miss Grayson is devoted to me, I’ll be even better to you."

"Who’s been fickle?" Vesper Grayson mumbled. "That was youthful ignorance. It doesn’t count."

"Alright, if Miss Grayson says it doesn’t count, then it doesn’t count." He ruffled her hair. "Go sit on the bed. I’ll go run a bath for you."

Vesper Grayson nodded and sat obediently on the edge of the bed, but her gaze followed the man’s tall, straight figure.

’What kind of life had she even been living with Luke Lockwood before? Only now did she truly understand what it felt like to be cherished. She didn’t have to cautiously cater to his every whim, worry about his fragile ego, or revolve her life around him for three meals a day as if she were serving a king. For those three years, she had forced herself to be indestructible and omnipotent, giving everything she had, only to receive betrayal and contempt in return. In a healthy relationship, only those who love themselves are worthy of being treasured by others.’

Ten minutes later, Jared Hawthorne emerged from the bathroom.

"Vesper, it’s ready."

The bathtub was filled with water at the perfect temperature, the toiletries were neatly arranged, and even a fresh change of clothes had been laid out for her.

A warmth spread through Vesper Grayson’s heart. "President Hawthorne, you’re so thoughtful."

"Don’t soak for too long. It’s not good for you."

She stood on her tiptoes, gave his cheek a light "SMOOCH," and said with a grin, "I know."

In the study, Jared Hawthorne sat in a black leather chair, his gaze lowered to the ultrasound report in his hand, his eyes filled with a deep, abiding tenderness.

He dialed Noah Nash’s number.

Noah Nash stepped out of a private room to answer the call. "Elias?"

"I’m going to be a father."

"Huh?"

"What kind of reaction is that?"

"Congrats, congrats," Noah Nash couldn’t help but exclaim. "You work fast! You just got engaged not long ago, and now there’s a baby on the way. What’s the plan now?"

"Get the license, get married."

"Who would’ve thought? Two months ago you were a lonely bachelor, and now you’ve got a wife and kid on the way."

"..."

"Once you’re married, you won’t have much time to hang out anymore, huh?"

"I’d rather have a cozy life with my wife and child than hang out with you single losers."

"Hawthorne, that’s harsh. But I’m not planning on jumping into that pit anytime soon. I plan to have fun for a few more years."

’To this day, no woman had ever made him willing to step into the besieged city of marriage. The thought of being tied to one person for the rest of his life and completely losing his freedom made his skin crawl.’

"By the way, I remember you bought an island at an auction a couple of years ago, right? Let me borrow it for the wedding."

"No problem. You can borrow the yacht, too."

He had chanced upon the island two years ago, bought it at auction, and named it Moonlight Isle.

It was twelve nautical miles from the shore and could be reached in forty minutes by speedboat from the nearest marina. The entire island was crescent-shaped, surrounded by a clear, turquoise sea that gradually deepened to a sapphire blue. Underwater corals and swimming fish were clearly visible, and the sand on the beach was fine and soft, with no grittiness underfoot.

He had spent half a year meticulously developing it, and the facilities were all-inclusive: a spacious, airy, oceanfront villa with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed sea views, complete with smart home technology, a media room, a wine cellar, and a private pool. The outdoor area featured a beach volleyball court, a private yacht dock, a diving base, an open-air barbecue station, and a full range of recreational activities like fishing, snorkeling, and surfing.

When Vesper Grayson came out of the bath, she didn’t see the man in the bedroom.

Wearing a soft nightgown, she tiptoed toward the study.

The man was sitting at his desk, his gaze fixed on the computer screen, looking up something.

She thought she was being silent, but he had already noticed her every move.

As soon as she got close, he gently pulled her wrist, and she sank onto his firm lap.

Vesper Grayson instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and asked in a soft voice, "Do you still have work to do this late?"

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