Jonah hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "The wedding is already planned. Since you're still recovering, you might have to..."
"Find someone to stand in for me so the Stafford Family doesn't lose face," I cut in, already knowing what he was getting at.
Rather than waiting for him to put me in a weaker position, I took control. At least this way, I could keep some dignity.
He looked a little surprised by my reaction but didn’t push it. He had already gotten what he wanted. Then my phone buzzed.
Jonah glanced at the screen and frowned. "Greta, what documents did you cancel?"
I quickly deleted the message and kept my voice steady. "Nothing important. Just an expired document. I updated it online."
He didn’t question it, just pulled me closer, his voice full of concern. "You’re still recovering. If you need anything, just tell me. I’ll handle it for you."
I looked up at him and smiled. "Jonah, I want to be discharged."
His expression shifted instantly. "No. You're not fully healed yet. I can't agree to that."
I tugged on his arm, playfully swaying it. "Didn’t you say we should adopt a child? There’s a nanny at home, I’ll be fine. I just want to visit the orphanage and look around, okay?"
In five years, this was the first time I had ever acted sweet with him.
Jonah hesitated, then gave in. On the way, he reached into the backseat and pulled out a bag of cakes, placing them in front of me one by one.
"I got these just for you," he said, but then I noticed the packaging—suitable for young children.
I closed the bag, tossed it aside and leaned back. "My stomach feels off," I muttered, shutting my eyes.
This five-year lie had gone on long enough. It was time to end it.
As soon as we stepped into the orphanage, I sat in a wheelchair. A little girl came running over and threw her arms around Jonah’s legs, clinging to him like she had known him forever.
"Dad!" she called out excitedly.
Jonah stiffened. His expression changed for a split second before he quickly composed himself. Worried I might get suspicious, he rushed to explain. "Don’t get the wrong idea. I sponsor this orphanage and have visited a few times. She’s just an orphan who started calling me that."
I nodded, smiling as I gently touched the girl’s cheek. "She looks a lot like you. If you hadn’t told me otherwise, I would’ve thought she was your daughter. What’s her name?"
"Janelle," he said. Then, without giving me a chance to respond, he added, "She’s the one we’re going to adopt."
Before he could explain further, Janelle suddenly started crying, calling out for her mother. Jonah’s face drained of color. He shot me a nervous glance.
I gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. Go comfort her. She’s beautiful, like her too."
Relieved, Jonah stopped hesitating and carried Janelle into the office. I took the chance to slip away, pretending I needed the restroom. But just as I was about to turn the corner, I overheard a conversation from behind a slightly open door.
"Why did Mr. Stafford tell his child to pretend to be an orphan?" one staff member whispered. "Look at her clothes. They cost more than my entire salary. Who would believe she’s an orphan?"
"You don’t get it," another voice responded. "He set this all up. It’s the only way to bring the kid into the Stafford Family without raising suspicion. Just keep your mouth shut around Ms. Winslet."
"So Mr. Stafford’s heart still belongs to Ms. Jacobs," someone else sighed. "They used to volunteer here together back in college. I always had a feeling something was going on between them. Guess I was right. A man and a woman under the same roof... who knows what’s happening now?"
Their laughter felt like a crushing weight on my chest, making it hard to breathe.
I instinctively wheeled myself closer to the door, just in time to hear a voice I knew all too well.
"Did she agree?" a woman asked.
"Yeah," Jonah replied casually. "She’s abroad most of the time, so there are things she can’t keep track of. This works out perfectly. She won’t ever find out about Janelle and she’s even willing to adopt with me."
