Chapter 1229:

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Jayden drew a slow breath and steadied himself. “Brin, I want to be serious about us. Spending time with you has made me genuinely happy, but I can tell you’re not as invested. Honestly, I think you’d rather talk to Ms. Wright than to me.”

Brinley fumbled for words. “Jenessa and I have been best friends for years.”

Jayden gave her a faint, bittersweet smile. “I think you know what I mean.”

He stood up, his expression unreadable. “Brin, I really hope you find happiness. I’m not right for you.”

Brinley remained still, unable to fully grasp why he had chosen this moment to end things. Yet despite the lingering confusion, she felt no urge to stop him or beg him to reconsider. Perhaps it was for the best. Perhaps she really shouldn’t waste any more of his time. He deserved the chance to find his own happiness.

Jayden had taken a few steps toward the door when he paused, as though something had just come to mind. He turned back. “Oh — Mr. Stimson is waiting outside the ward. He said he won’t come in unless you give him permission.”

With that, he left the room.

Allen was waiting outside. Brinley pressed her lips together and decided she didn’t have the energy to deal with any more of this. Jenessa had risked her life to save her, and she owed it to both of them to rest properly.

The sound of the door being pushed open echoed through the quiet ward.

Brinley turned her head to see who it was and met Allen’s gaze.

“Didn’t you say you would only come in if I allowed it?” she asked bluntly, her eyes narrowing.

𝗦𝗁a𝗿𝘦 y𝗈𝘂r 𝗍𝗵𝘰𝗎𝗀h𝘁s о𝗇 𝗀𝗮𝘭ո𝗼𝗏e𝗹ѕ.𝗰𝗈m

Allen paused, then pointed innocently at the door. “Your ex-boyfriend said I could come in.”

Brinley said nothing. She simply glared at him.

Allen walked to the bedside and took a seat. He tucked in the corners of her blanket and said, “You shouldn’t get so angry now that you’re pregnant.”

Brinley turned away from him, resentment plain in her expression. “Stop pretending to care about me. Be blunt with me, the way you used to be.”

“I’m sorry, Brinley. I’m truly sorry,” Allen said.

Brinley finally looked at him. “Did your attitude toward me change because I’m pregnant? I don’t need that. This child is mine and has nothing to do with you.”

“No. My change of attitude has nothing to do with your pregnancy.”

He reached into his briefcase and produced a document, setting it before her. “Take a look at this.”

Brinley glanced at it, and her eyes widened. “You changed your identity again?”

“Again? So you knew all along that I was connected to the Shaw family?” Allen asked with a smile.

“Of course I knew. Is there anything in this world I can’t find out?”

She returned to reading the document. “Why did you change your identity again?”

Allen drew a deep breath and explained. “Three months ago, I learned that the Shaw family was investigating my whereabouts. Ever since I became Allen, I’ve kept a low profile, using Ryan’s influence to conceal my identity. Even so, they found me. I followed the trail and traced the source of the leak…”

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