My Darling, My Dearest

"I told Dad and Mom to go back home. I don't need a bunch of babysitters. I'm not some three-year old, you know?" Rachel said and took over Jack's coat. "How is everything going on with the police?" "Nothing."

Since the company scandal, this word had become Jack's pet phrase.

There was a time when Rachel would genuinely believe him. Now, she was not so sure-in fact, it almost always meant the opposite.

"Jack, tell me the truth," she insisted.

Rachel stared at Jack with such seriousness that he had no choice but to tell her what really transpired at the police station. He gently added, "Rachel, I just don't want you to worry about me. That's all, really." "But, you and I are a couple. We should be together through thick and thin, shouldn't we?" Rachel said with a pout. "Don't make me look like a fool. How can I call myself your wife if I know nothing about this matter? I don't want our marriage to be over just because of some silly disaster." Her calm tone added meaningfulness to her words.

Jack couldn't help but hug Rachel tightly. He was overwhelmed with emotions that tears streamed down his face. He felt loved. "I feel so lucky to have you by my side, Rachel," he whispered.

They hugged for some time. Rachel silently hoped that things turned out well. The gravity of her husband's predicament dawned on her and it dampened her mood.

It also didn't help that the baby in her belly had been growing rapidly these past few days. Her body had grown more sluggish. It was also getting harder to cheer herself up despite her efforts.

The couple had dinner. After that, she just went straight and sat on the couch instead of prepping for the usual walk. She was clearly not in the mood for some activity.

Jack found his wife sitting lousily on the couch with an irritated look. He just came out of the bathroom and had now joined Rachel on the couch. He shook his head playfully and said, "Honey, didn't the doctor advise you to take more walks? Come on, get up. Hang out with me for a while."

"I don't want to go. I don't want to move an inch," Rachel replied lazily.

Jack set the remote controller aside and held her hand. "Let's go out for a couple of steps. If you're too tired to walk, then I will support you."Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

His coaxing worked! She got up and the two of them headed to the door.

Usually, the couple took the 5-minute path from their house to the main road and walked back and forth for two rounds. As soon as they stepped outside, Rachel insisted, "Today, I will only walk one round. I really don't want to do this. Perhaps, if you're the one with the baby, you would feel the same way."

"Okay, okay." As long as Rachel was willing to go, one round was enough for Jack. He didn't push her any further.

The two held each other's hand as they walked. The sunset bathed everything in a soft, golden glow and the two casted long shadows on the pavement.

Their quiet walk was broken when Jack's phone suddenly rang.

These past two days, Rachel would always get nervous whenever she heard his phone ring. Jack stepped away and took the call. She heard him hum a few times and then hanged up.

Jack joined Rachel again and tucked his phone back in his pocket. He noticed her concerned look. He couldn't help but grin. "It was from Austin. Nothing to worry about."

As soon as he said "Nothing", he became painfully aware how it triggered Rachel in a bad way. He immediately grabbed her hand and explained, "It was just about the press conference tomorrow. We thought it would clear things up and stop our investors from pulling out their shares one after another."

He then gazed into the distance and said in a tired voice, "After all, even if I'm removed from my position, the company will still exist. I need to do this for the future of the company."

As soon as he muttered those words, Rachel spat on the ground three times. She let go of Jack's hand and then walked towards the nearest tree by the roadside. She knocked on the trunk and told Jack, "You should stop saying unlucky things."

Jack was bemused by his wife's antics. "What were you doing, Rachel?"

"I just knocked on that tree to get rid of the curse." Rachel brushed the bits of bark off her hands. "You will definitely continue to run MK Group. I won't allow you to say something silly again."

Jack rubbed her nose affectionately while he whispered her name again and again. His chest was full of mixed feelings.

There was no mistaking it; true love blooms in the midst of crisis.

After they finished one round, Jack thought that maybe Rachel could do one more since she was quite energetic earlier. To his surprise, she went straight to the door and just stood there facing him. Rachel shook her head like a child, indicating her refusal. Jack was at a loss. He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. He eventually acquiesced and nodded, "Alright, it's over today." "Okay," Rachel answered loudly.

The sight of the couple brought tears to Julie's eyes. She was looking out the window, basking in the early evening view, when she saw them walking together. She wiped the tears off with the palm of her hand It was not easy for the two of them to get back together. Now, they were about to grow into a family of three. It was really unexpected how things worked out.

The couple had just entered the house. Julie took a deep breath to calm herself down and approached Rachel with a cup of warm water in hand.

Rachel took the cup and offered it to Jack. He refused, so she lifted the cup to her lips instead.

Jack thought that Rachel was being childish. A smile escaped his lips. He playfully said, "Honey, you're acting more and more like a child."

A smile ran across Rachel's face. She focused on drinking and didn't reply to his jest.

All this time, Rachel was trying her best to be positive and cheerful. She even did something extremely childish just to help her husband relax. She wanted to distract his thoughts away from all this mess. The press conference was set on Wednesday.

Jack stepped out of the house. Rachel was a little worried but she forced a smile. She tiptoed and helped straighten his tie. "Drive carefully. Call me when you arrive at the venue."

"Okay." Jacked bowed and planted a kiss on her forehead. He got in the car and drove away. Rachel watched the car as it disappeared into the corner.

Jack arrived at the hotel where the

press conference was to be held. The conference room was located on the ground floor and was roughly about 30 square meters. He entered the room and it was packed with news reporters and security personnel. Austin was already at the table. As soon as Jack joined the panel, a reporter barked a question. "Mr. Fu, we got news that you will be dismissed by the company. Is this true?"

Austin was visibly upset at the reporter. He was about to say something in protest when Jack raised his hand to stop him.

A moment later, Jack's deep voice

filled the room. "It's just temporary." "Right now, your reputation is not that great. Aren't you afraid it will harm the company's and your family's images?" Another reporter, standing on the corner, suddenly threw the question at Jack The sharpness in her tone added to the tension in the air. The crowd of reporters broke into a frenzy.

"Everyone, be quiet!" Austin picked up the microphone.

He repeated the command several times but the reporters were oblivious to his demand. They continued to discuss the recent scandal.

The room was being filled with insults and sarcastic remarks.

Austin turned to Jack for help. The situation was clearly out of his control.

Jack frowned, grab the microphone, and was about to speak when a familiar voice pierced through all the chaos.

"He is my husband! I believe he is innocent of all the accusations you are throwing at him. I believe in his upstanding character and strong morals. I believe that he will never allow MK Group to fall." Just on cue, Rachel entered the room and walked to the table, with a microphone in hand.

Jack's eyes were wide open and his jaw dropped. He was blown away by the surprise appearance of his wife. He almost jumped for joy. He contained his excitement and slowly walked up to Rachel and whispered, "Why are you here?"

Rachel noticed his teary eyes and winked at him playfully. She said, "I'm your wife, remember? How can I be absent at such an important time in your life?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Michael's voice came from behind her. "We're here as well."

Three well-dressed men marched

neatly in a row, Marcus, the one in the middle, reached for the microphone and stated in a deep

voice, "We have been friends witmet

Jack for so many years. We know him best. From now on, we reserve the right to pursue legal action

against anyone who spreads

malicious rumor about our friend."

"You bet we will!" said Michael.

Jack, who had always been introverted, inadvertently burst into tears when he saw how fiercely his friends faced the reporters' questions.

He realized that it was worth it to have his friends and beloved around him in times of difficulty.

He tightly held Rachel's hand while he tapped the arms of his friends. He said sincerely, "Guys, thank you!"

"You don't need to thank me. You just have to return the favor in the future." Everyone burst into laughter. It seemed to Jack that the intensity in the room turned down a notch or two because of Michael's joke.

No matter how difficult and sharp-tongued the questions that came after were, the atmosphere became less tense and chaotic. Jack could only thank the love and support of his wife and friends for his new- found confidence, if nothing else.

Having sparred with the reporters for about half an hour, Michael rubbed his tummy and glanced at Jack. "I rushed to come over that I forgot to take my lunch. Now, I'm starving to death. Will you treat me to some good food, later?"

Author's note

G°°se Mfiiiisn

Translator: Scarlett5555