CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 123: FERTILITY

Shannon Quinn blushed and remained silent.

He asked again, "You mentioned your mom, what’s going on?"

"Shannon, the meeting’s starting." Lynn Kendall called her from the door.

Shannon Quinn hurriedly covered the phone and responded, "Coming." Then she spoke to the person on the other end of the line, "I’ll tell you about it when you come back."

"Are you going to the meeting?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I need to get busy too. Take care and remember to go to the hospital for check-ups. Let my big brother know if you need anything."

"...Okay."

She was reluctant to hang up; perhaps such interactions with him were rare for her, and once this call ended, she wouldn’t know when they’d connect again.

But he said he’d be back soon, and her heart was full of anticipation again.

Not sure if he also called Simon Rhodes, but when she got off work at night, Simon contacted Shannon Quinn, saying he had some things to give her.

When Shannon Quinn got back, Simon Rhodes was already waiting downstairs.

"Big brother."

"Finished work?"

Shannon Quinn nodded, "How long have you been waiting? Want to come upstairs for a while? It’s so cold outside."

Simon Rhodes shook his head and walked toward the car’s trunk, saying, "I brought you some things, some food and necessities, it’ll be useful as the weather gets colder."

Shannon Quinn reached out to take the items, but Simon Rhodes said, "I’ll bring them to your door."

Seeing there were quite a few items, Shannon Quinn took a few bags and left Simon Rhodes with a large carton.

At the door, Shannon Quinn put down the items she was carrying, rummaging through her bag for the keys, and said to Simon Rhodes, "Come inside for a hot drink?"

"No need, I have things to do later."

After opening the door, Simon Rhodes helped her bring the items to the entrance, then took a bank card out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Shannon Quinn.

Shannon Quinn looked at the card he handed over, confused, and asked him, "Big brother, what’s this for?"

"It’s Vincent’s card, he instructed me. The password is your birthday."

Shannon Quinn hesitated for a moment and politely refused, saying, "I don’t need it for now, I have enough money. Please return it to him for me."

"You two have been married for so long, why be so formal? He can’t personally take care of you, spending his money will put him at ease."

After hearing Simon Rhodes’ words, Shannon Quinn pursed her lips and reached out to take the bank card, "Could you thank him for me?"

Simon Rhodes smiled and said, "He’s definitely been contacting you secretly, hasn’t he? You should thank him personally."

Shannon Quinn smiled a bit awkwardly, as Simon Rhodes continued, "If it weren’t for Grandpa keeping him in check, he would probably give up a lot for you. Though he’s not with you often, you have to trust that he loves you more than anyone. You don’t need to be curious or doubtful about his affairs; focus on resting and giving birth, and wait for him to return."

Whether Vincent truly loves her, Shannon Quinn is not very certain, but the fact that he is willing to accept a child that’s not his and doesn’t blame her, makes her believe and wait. Yet she still has one question in her heart.

"Um... Big brother, I want to ask you something."

"Hmm?"

Shannon Quinn stumbled over her words, unsure how to start, and quietly asked, "Does Vincent really not have the ability to father children?"

Simon Rhodes seemed surprised by her question, paused for two seconds, and said, "Perhaps it’s better for Vincent to explain it to you gradually later."

Shannon Quinn was bewildered; can this matter still not be confirmed?

The main reason is Vincent’s reaction that night left her bewildered. If he had the ability himself, he probably wouldn’t have accepted her to give birth to a child that isn’t his.

"Don’t dwell on these things anymore; Vincent has his own plans and arrangements. Just listen to him, take good care of yourself and the baby."

Shannon Quinn nodded, and Simon Rhodes took a step back, saying, "Then I’ll be off first. If anything comes up, just give me a call."

"Alright, take care, big brother."

He told her not to be curious, yet she was too eager to uncover the secrets surrounding Vincent.

While organizing things at the door, she happened to encounter Ronan Rhodes coming back.

With a phone in hand, calling "baby" and "darling," presumably coaxing a woman on the other end.

Once he hung up, he breathed a sigh of relief himself.

Upon meeting Shannon, Ronan still politely smiled at her and greeted, "Have you had dinner yet?"

Shannon Quinn shook her head, "It’s still early." Then she stood up and looked at Ronan.

Ronan paused his motion of unlocking the door, saw through Shannon Quinn’s intentions, and asked her, "Miss Quinn, is there anything you need?"

Shannon Quinn pursed her lips and asked him, "It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen your boss, did something happen?"

When asked about Landon Sutton, Ronan chuckled dryly and fumbled out an explanation, "Well, didn’t I say before? Master Nate is a busy man, he calls the world his home; staying here for a while, staying there for a while—it’s normal not to see him."

After Ronan spoke, he asked Shannon Quinn again, "Is there something you need to discuss with him?"

Shannon Quinn immediately shook her head, "Oh, nothing, I was just asking casually."

"If there’s anything you need, you can also tell me and I can relay it for you."

"Really, there’s nothing. You go do what you need to do."

After speaking, Shannon Quinn was the first to open the door and shut it behind her.

If Landon Sutton keeps not appearing, that would be for the best. This way he would never find out about this child, and she wouldn’t have to worry about him trying to take the child from her in the future.

At the end of November, the first snowfall came.

Shannon Quinn woke up early, but curled up in bed not wanting to get up.

Erin Bishop got up to use the bathroom and ran to her room, directly slipped into Shannon’s bed, watching the swirling snowflakes outside the window, she murmured, "It’s snowing early this year."

"It is, it’s so cold."

Erin Bishop laughed, her voice soft, "It was just like this one morning when we were together; he brought warm milk tucked in his clothes, waiting downstairs to go to school with me."

Although Erin Bishop didn’t mention a name, Shannon Quinn knew she was talking about Zane Rhodes. Not wanting her to get too emotional, Shannon Quinn joked, "How nice, during my school days, no one waited for me downstairs."

"Those were great times, but why have things changed now?"

Shannon Quinn lowered her gaze, quietly watching the window. Though she hadn’t gone through Erin’s story, she could deeply feel that kind of sadness.

If the person had clearly said they wanted to break up and left, perhaps letting go would be easier.

But such a silent departure makes it hard to move on, especially since she has waited for him for so many years.

"I’ll make breakfast! Let’s go out for hot pot tonight?" Erin Bishop suddenly sat up from the bed, switching the topic with energy.

Shannon Quinn nodded, "Okay, my treat."