THE BILLIONAIRE'S MIRACLE BABY

CHAPTER3

Jaden's POV

The hospital results were the same as always.

Stable… That word was like a shadow I couldn't shake.

Not better. Not worse. Just stuck between survival and uncertainty…

I left the hospital without saying much. My driver opened the car door. I slid in quietly already tired.

For a while I just watched everything move outside the window.

Everything was continuing normally. But Mine didn't feel normal anymore.

Not after cancer. Not after the silence it left behind in my body and in my marriage.

By the time I got to Ashley Cosmetics I was already exhausted.

The building looked the same as always.

I walked in without stopping for greetings. People still said "Good morning" anyway. I nodded once or twice and didn't engage.

I didn't have the energy for roles today.

My assistant stood quickly as I entered my office.

"Sir Jaden welcome back."

"Cancel my afternoon meetings " I said immediately.

She hesitated.

"All of them?"

"Yes."

"Even the board prep—"

"Yes."

She Nodded.

"Understood Sir."

She left, Silence finally returned.

I loosened my tie and Sat down.

My phone buzzed.

Vanessa: Are you coming home tonight?

I stared at it. I didn't reply.

Instead I opened my drawer and took out a thin file I had been working on quietly for weeks.

It's my divorce preparation.

I didn't feel angry while looking at it.

I didn't feel emotional either.

A knock came at the door.

"Come in."

My lawyer. Sat down without waiting for much explanation.

"You sounded urgent " he said.

"I am."

He noticed my face. "You look drained."

"I'm drained " I replied.

That was true.

I didn't waste time to talk.

"I want divorce papers prepared."

He adjusted in his seat. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Is this related to your health situation?"

I shook my head. "Its related to my marriage."

He studied me for a seconds then nodded slowly.

"Alright. I'll prepare it."

"Keep it simple " I added. "No unnecessary delays."

He stood up. "I'll get it done."

Before leaving he hesitated. "Jaden… take care of your health."

"I'll " I said.

That ended it… He left my office.

For a moment I just sat there staring at nothing.

I went home later that evening.

The ride was long. I didn't rush it.

Because I knew what was waiting at home.

The moment I stepped inside I heard Vanessa's voice.

"You're home."

She was standing in the living room already waiting for me.

Her arms were. Her eyes were sharp.

I didn't answer immediately. I placed my keys down. Started walking toward the stairs.

"Jaden " she called again this time. "I asked you a question."

"I heard you " I said without stopping.

That was my mistake acknowledging her.

She followed me.

"You've been avoiding me all day."

"I was working."

"You didn't reply to my messages."

"I didn't have time to."

That made her stop then she laughed sharply.

"That's it? That's all you have to say?"

I didn't turn back.

"I'm tired Vanessa."

I exhaled slowly. Continued Walking.

She followed me up the stairs her voice rising.

"Every time I try to talk to you you shut me out."

"I'm not shutting you out " I said calmly. "I just don't want an argument."

"Well congratulations you're still getting one."

I stopped at the top of the stairs. Turned slightly to look at her.

"Not tonight, Van."

That made her freeze for a second.

Because I wasn't reacting like I used to.

No anger. No defense. No emotion she could grab and twist… emptiness.

I walked into the bedroom. She followed immediately.

"You don't get to ignore me like I don't exist in this house " she said.

I removed my watch slowly. Placed it on the table.

"I'm not ignoring you " I replied.

"Then what are you doing?"

I. Looked at her.

"What do you want?"

Her expression changed instantly.

"You're impossible lately you act like nothing matters anymore"

I didn't respond.

Because she wasn't wrong.

Everything had started feeling distant.

Even things that used to matter

Vanessa stepped closer.

"Talk to me " she demanded.

"I don't want to argue " I said again.

"That's all you ever say now " she fired back. "You don't want to talk. You don't want to fix anything. What do you want, Jaden?"

I looked at her properly.

Enough for her to notice something had changed.

Something she didn't like.

"I want peace " I said simply.

Her face tightened. ". I'm not peace?"

I didn't answer immediately.

Her voice sharpened.

"So I'm the problem now?"

I shook my head slightly. "No."

I didn't explain further.

Because there was nothing left to explain.

She. Turned away.

"This marriage is getting worse every day " she said.

I sat down on the edge of the bed exhausted.

"I know"

That response made her spin back.

"You know?" she repeated. "That's it?"

"What do you want me to say?" I asked.

That silenced her for a moment.

Because she wanted reaction, emotion and something to fight against.

I wasn't giving it anymore.

She walked again.

"Are you even happy here anymore?" she asked, softer now.

I paused… Then answered honestly.

"No."

That word landed heavy in the room.

Vanessa went still.

For the first time her confidence cracked slightly.

"What did you just say?" She asked quietly.

I stood up.

"I said no."

Her lips parted slightly like she wanted to argue. But nothing came out immediately.

She swallowed then forced her voice

"Since when?"

I didn't answer that.

Because the truth would have hurt more than she was ready to hear.

"I'm going to rest " I said instead.

She grabbed my arm hard.

"Don't you dare walk away from me."

I looked at her hand. I gently removed her grip.

I left the room, walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

That night I lay in bed alone.

Vanessa didn't come in.

My phone vibrated on the bedside table.

I didn't check immediately I finally did after a while and I saw that it was a message from my lawyer.

Lawyer: Draft is ready. We proceed tomorrow.

I stared at it for a time.

VANESSA'S POV:

I sat on the edge of the bedroom floor my back against the bed staring at nothing in particular.

I went to another room to sleep because I'm annoyed with my husband.

I pressed my fingers to my forehead and exhaled slowly.

This wasn't how marriage was supposed to feel.

I stood up and Walked downstairs barefoot.

The kitchen light was still on. I stood there holding onto the counter like it could steady something inside me.

I took my phone and Scrolled through my call log.

A name I hadn't touched in months lit up the screen:

Private Clinic…

My stomach tightened instantly.

I sat down slowly at the kitchen table staring at the screen until my vision blurred slightly.

I thought of Jaden, his silence, his distance and the way he no longer argued back no longer reached for me no longer tried.

I swallowed hard…

I dialed the number. It went through at once.

" Evening " I said as soon as the call connected.

"Good evening ma'am how may I assist you?"

I hesitated for a second.

"I need an appointment " I said quietly.

"Of course. Is this a consultation or a procedure request?"

My fingers tightened around the phone.

My eyes stung, but I refused to let anything fall.

"I've already thought about it " I said.

"Ma'am we normally recommend—"

"I don't want to wait " I interrupted voice sharper now. "I want to schedule the procedure "

There was silence, on the line…

Even the professional tone softened slightly.

"Understood, we will begin preparations."

I closed my eyes for a second as the call ended.

I opened them again. The kitchen felt really cold.

Jaden was Somewhere in the house. But not with me anymore.

I wasn't sure I could just stand still and lose him for good. Not like this.