Chapter 3

The test results came back quickly. After all, for a prestigious family like the Sandlers, the hospital had been cleared out entirely. The hospital director walked in with a thick stack of reports, his hands trembling as he announced, "The pregnancy is confirmed. There is a 99.99% chance these babies are biologically related to Mr. Maverick." Alec dropped to his knees, clasped his hands, and thanked the heavens, as if his prayers had been answered. I finally let out a sigh of relief. Sure, the system promised only the best, but it wasn't until I saw the results myself that I could finally relax. The system said, "Congratulations, Maya! Your lifespan has increased by 30 days. Rewards unlocked: Starter Gift Pack—one Prenatal Radiance Pill and one Invulnerable Body Potion." Now that was more like it. That evening, I was escorted into the Sandler family's sprawling estate in a grand procession. Alec had cleared out Serene Manor, which used to belong to Maverick, and handed it over to me. He even took down the centuries-old "Serene" sign and replaced it with "Goodhaven". The name was a little cheesy, sure, but the meaning behind it was solid. Still, my very first meal there took a strange turn. The long dining table was piled high with vegetables. There were fresh greens of every kind imaginable, from steamed spinach to garlic-sautéed greens and a chilled herb salad. There wasn't a single drop of oil anywhere. Aria had changed into a simpler, more modest outfit and sat primly beside Maverick. She sat like the lady of the house and ladled me a bowl of clear broth that looked like dishwater. "Ms. Jemison, Maverick is devoted to the heavens. Our household has always been vegetarian. Since you're carrying the Sandler family's children, it's only right to seek the gods' blessings. "You should live in a way that honors the heavens for them. A simple diet cleanses the spirit, nurtures a pure heart, and is good for the babies." Her face carried a gentle, almost serene smile, but her eyes fixed on me like a venomous snake's. "It's especially important for someone like you who schemed to get pregnant. Your sins are even heavier. You need to humble yourself and be more devoted to walking on the path shown by the heavens." Maverick sat beside her with his eyes closed, quietly praying over a simple bowl of oatmeal. He seemed to silently approve of this arrangement. I looked at the table piled with green, unappetizing food. The three little ones in my belly immediately started protesting. The system warned, "Alert! Fetal nutrition is insufficient. Maya, you need high-protein meals!" I shoved the bowl of clear broth aside. With a clatter, the soup spilled all over the table. Aria screamed, "Maya, this is disrespectful to the heavens! You'll be punished for this!" "Punished?" I sneered, grabbed a lettuce leaf, and flicked it at her face. "Aria, has your brain completely stopped working? I'm pregnant—and with triplets, no less! Yet you expect me to eat grass?" I looked over at Maverick, who was still pretending this had nothing to do with him. "If you want your kids to be born sickly and malnourished, or just starve to death in the womb, just say so. I don't want your 100-billion-dollar empire anymore. I'll go to the hospital right now and terminate the pregnancy." I leaned forward, as if I were about to stand. Only then did Maverick finally open his eyes. "Sit down." His voice was cool and carried a hint of resignation. "Maverick, you can't break your vows!" Aria panicked. "If you allow meat, your three years of spiritual practice—" "Spiritual practice is meant to discipline the heart," he said calmly, glancing at her. "It's not about mistreating women and children." Then he turned to the butler. "Clear this away. Have the kitchen prepare whatever she wants to eat." The butler had been on edge the whole time. Hearing that, he visibly relaxed, as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Yes, right away. Mrs. Sandler, what would you like?" I sank back into my chair and began rattling off dishes. "Braised pork, barbecue ribs, herb-roasted cod, and oatmeal with honey. Oh, and a plate of smoked oysters too. Wait, no—smoked oysters can carry Listeria. Make it lobster instead!" Aria went pale. "Murder! This is murder! We're right next to the chapel, and you're eating meat and fish. Aren't you afraid—" "Afraid of what?" I smiled at her sweetly and casually handed a bunch of grapes to Maverick. "Mr. Sandler, could you peel these for me? I don't like eating grape skins." Every helper in the room drew in a sharp breath, shocked that I was asking the aloof Maverick to peel grapes. Aria's eyes went wide. "Are you insane? Maverick would never do something like that!" Maverick looked at the grapes I was holding out to him, frowning slightly. His gaze drifted down to my slightly rounded belly. It lingered there for two full seconds. Then, as Aria and every helper in the room stared, he reached out. The hands that had once been used only to turn prayer beads accepted the grapes. He peeled them slowly, unhurried and precise. Juice dripped down his fingertips, adding a hint of warmth against his austere composure. "Don't make a habit of this." He placed the peeled grapes on my plate, his voice a little husky. I popped one into my mouth, my eyes narrowing in pleasure at the sweetness. "Thanks, honey!" Aria slammed her fork down with a sharp clatter.