Chapter 387

Janice pushed her nagging thoughts aside and went straight upstairs to Elissa's office. Tapping on the half-open door, she asked warmly, "Elissa, finishing up for the day?"

Elissa had just taken off her white coat and was about to leave. She smiled. "Yes, just about. What brings you here? Didn't you just get a refill a couple of days ago?" After two courses of the medicine, Janice's health had already improved significantly, and Elissa didn't plan on prescribing any more. Too much medicine wasn't always a good thing.

"I brought you some dinner." Janice closed the door and walked over to the desk, opening the insulated container. "I know you usually just grab something quick for lunch after your consultations, so I made some soup and a couple of your favorite dishes."

"You're pregnant now," she added gently. "You can't be so careless with your meals anymore."

Even though Janice had given up on matchmaking her with Rowan, she had a genuine affection for the girl. With some free time today, she had started worrying that Elissa wasn't taking proper care of herself.

Elissa, who had been wondering what to get for lunch, was touched and

pleasantly surprised. She sat back down. "How did you know I was craving beef stew?"

Chicken noodle soup, beef stew, a creamy chowder, and a fresh salad. It was exactly what she wanted.

Janice chuckled. "Pregnancy cravings can be powerful. I've already eaten, so go on, you eat."

"Okay." Elissa picked up the utensils and began to eat with relish.

Seeing her enjoy the food, Janice's expression grew even more tender. She reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Elissa's ear, looking at her as if she were her own child. "Slow down. Chew properly so your body can absorb the nutrients."

"Okay," Elissa mumbled through a mouthful, looking more like a well-behaved child than the poised and patient doctor who advised her patients.

It was the most satisfying meal she'd had in days, and her nausea was completely absent.

Watching her, Janice couldn't help but frown. "You're pregnant, but is there no one looking after you?"

"You mean Tanya?" Elissa didn't think much of the question as she sipped her chicken soup. "She's very busy, and honestly, she's not much help in the kitchen. We're both pretty hopeless cooks."

"I'm talking about the baby's father!" Janice said growing agitated. "How can he be so irresponsible? He doesn't have to wait on you hand and foot, but he should at least be making sure you have three propet meals a day." What terrible judgment, to fall for such a man.

Even her own rascal of a grandson was better than that.

Elissa paused, realizing Janice was worried about her. She decided to be honest. "Grandma, it's not his fault. I haven't told him I'm pregnant, and I don't plan to." With that, she took another bite of fish.

Janice was even more alarmed. "You mean... this baby... it's your ex's?" If it were

a normal relationship, why would she hide a pregnancy?

*That ex?* Elissa was momentarily confused; she didn't remember ever telling Mrs. Garrett about her past with Rowan.

Seeing her silence, Janice slapped the table in frustration. "Child, you were already separated. How could you have a baby ?" This was just asking for hardship Raising a child alone wasn't easy, and growing up in a broken home could affect a child's development.

Elissa pressed her lips together. "It was an accident. But I'm definitely keeping it."

Janice was at a loss for words. *What's the point in keeping the child of such an irresponsible man?* Still, it wasn't her place to interfere. All she could do was offer the girl more support from now on.

But she had to get it off her chest. "It's good that you feel that way; it's a life, after all. But your ex-husband is a real piece of work!"

Only then did Elissa realize that the "ex" Mrs. Garrett was talking about was Frank.

At that moment, the "piece of work"

in question was driving back to

Atwater Manor. The butler, Quentin, had called him twice, saying his mother had been sick with anger ever since he'd had her escorted home from Vistapeak Gardens.