CHAPTER 67 - This is too Much!

As we went into the elevator and out of the hospital, a burst of cool afternoon air hit me. The warmth of the sun couldn’t quite thaw the tension in my chest, and yet, I couldn’t help but clutch Jade a little closer. Stepping outside, I froze. A convoy of cars stretched out before me, sleek and black, their tinted windows gleaming under the sun. At the forefront stood a large SUV, its doors open as though awaiting royalty.

Jayden, standing tall and composed, gestured toward the car. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, and his demeanor was calm, confident, as though the chaos of the past few months didn’t exist.

“Your chariot awaits,” he said lightly, offering a small smile.

I didn’t respond. The sight of the convoy was overwhelming, unnecessary even. Well I know that the convoy is for protection but one would have been enough. Why did everything with Jayden have to be such a grand production? This isn't about me. It isn't about him. It is about Jade.

He stepped forward, opening the car door for me like the perfect gentleman he seemed determined to be. I hesitated but eventually slid inside, mindful of Jade in my arms. My eyes immediately caught sight of the baby car seat already installed in the middle of the backseat. Jayden had thought of everything.

I gently placed Jade in the car seat, my movements slow and deliberate. As soon as I secured her, I slid to one side, trying to create some distance. Before I could process what was happening, Collins, Jayden’s ever-efficient driver, opened the other door for him.

Jayden climbed in, his presence commanding as he settled beside Jade. Instinctively, I stiffened, pressing myself closer to the car door. Jade, blissfully unaware of the tension between her parents, let out a soft coo, her tiny hands twitching in her sleep.

Jayden glanced at me, his expression unreadable, before his gaze softened as it landed on Jade. “She’s beautiful,” he murmured, almost to himself.

I didn’t reply. Instead, I turned to stare out of the window, my mind a whirl of emotions. Collins started the car, and we began to move, following the line of vehicles ahead of us. The drive was silent except for the occasional hum of the engine and the soft sounds Jade made in her sleep.

Collins kept stealing glances at me from the rearview mirror but I couldn't care less. It made me feel disgusted.

The route home felt longer than usual,the weight in the car made every second stretch. When we arrived at the mansion, my heart sank. The driveway was lined with flowers and balloons, an extravagant display that screamed celebration.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Horton,” one of the housemaids said cheerfully as I stepped out of the car. She beamed at me, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.

I barely managed a polite nod, feeling utterly detached from the fanfare. My eyes swept across the mansion's entrance, where a small crowd had gathered, staff, Jayden’s family, and a handful of others whose faces I didn’t immediately recognize.

“This is too much,” I muttered under my breath.

Jayden, standing close enough to hear, glanced at me. “It’s just a small welcome,” he said, his voice calm. “Nothing too elaborate.”

I shot him a look, raising an eyebrow. “You call this small?”

He opened his mouth as though to respond, but I didn’t give him the chance. Instead, I turned and headed toward the house, cradling Jade protectively. The chatter and congratulatory remarks from the crowd barely registered. My focus was entirely on getting inside, away from the eyes, the questions, the expectations.

The foyer was immaculate, as always, but something felt different. The faint scent of flowers lingered in the air, and I noticed balloons tied to the staircase railing. Jayden followed closely behind, his steps echoing softly against the marble floor.

“Let me show you the nursery,” he said, his voice gentle.

I hesitated but nodded, allowing him to lead the way. We climbed the grand staircase in silence, the tension between us thick and suffocating. When we reached the nursery, he pushed the door open with a soft creak.

I stepped inside and immediately froze. The room was breathtaking. The walls were painted a soothing cream color, accented with delicate gold stencils of stars and clouds. A crystal chandelier cast a soft, warm glow over the room, and the furniture was simple yet elegant.

“It’s beautiful,” I admitted, though my voice lacked enthusiasm.

Jayden seemed to sense my detachment. “I thought you might like something understated,” he said.

I nodded, moving to place Jade in the crib. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, her tiny form settling comfortably against the soft bedding.

“I’ll let you get settled,” Jayden said, stepping back toward the door. “The staff has prepared a small party downstairs. Just something to celebrate Jade’s homecoming.”

I turned to face him, my expression blank. “A party?”

“It’s nothing too formal,” he assured me. “Just close family and friends.”

Close family and friends. The words made my stomach twist. The last thing I wanted was to be surrounded by people, pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t.

“I’ll come down when I’m ready,” I said curtly, turning my attention back to Jade.

Jayden lingered for a moment longer before nodding and leaving the room.

Once he was gone, I sank into the rocking chair by the window, exhaustion washing over me. The nursery, beautiful as it was, felt suffocating. The weight of everything…the past few weeks, the strained dynamic with Jayden, the overwhelming responsibility of being a mother, pressed down on me like a heavy blanket. I wanted to scream so badly.

After a while, I forced myself to go downstairs. The soft hum of conversation greeted me as I entered the living room, where a small crowd had gathered. Jayden’s mother was there, along with his grandfather and a few other family members. Anna and Cara were noticeably absent, which was a small mercy.

Everyone turned to look at me as I entered, their faces lighting up with smiles. Jayden stepped forward immediately, offering me a glass of champagne.

“I can’t drink,” I reminded him, my tone sharper than I intended.

He looked momentarily flustered before setting the glass down and gesturing toward a table laden with food and drinks. “There’s juice and water as well.”

I nodded but didn’t move to take anything. Instead, I found a quiet corner of the room and sat down, feeling like an outsider in my own home.

The party was exactly what I had expected, forced smiles, polite conversation, and a handful of people trying to make small talk with me. Jayden, ever the perfect host, moved effortlessly through the room, his charm on full display.

But I saw through it. His gestures, his words, all felt calculated. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, I knew he did, in his own way. But his version of caring was suffocating, overwhelming. It left no room for me to breathe, to process everything that had happened.

I mean dude I just got back from the hospital, duh.

As the evening wore on, I felt more and more out of place. My mind kept drifting back to Jade, wondering if she was sleeping soundly, if she needed me. Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore.

I stood abruptly, drawing the attention of the room. Jayden immediately crossed the space to stand beside me, his expression concerned.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly.

“I’m fine,” I said, my voice clipped. “I just need to check on Jade.”

He nodded, stepping aside to let me leave.

As I climbed the stairs back to the nursery, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The moment I stepped into the room and saw Jade sleeping peacefully in her crib, I felt my shoulders relax.

I sat down in the rocking chair once more, watching her tiny chest rise and fall with each breath. At that moment, a knock interrupted me. Before I could say anything, the door knob turned and the door flung open.