Chapter 2 Eyes Open

Kenneth's facial expression froze for a moment before he feigned indifference and spoke again. "I'll admit that I've wronged you today, and you have every right to be angry with me. However, you must trust that my feelings for you are genuine. You won't have to suffer alone, I assure you. Once my uncle is dead, I will hire the best lawyer to secure all his assets for you." 'You're eyeing his entire fortune to fortify your own ambitions? To then crush Jaxson under your heel and reign over Babington City?' Elinor wondered. Ignoring Kenneth's increasingly emotional pitch, Elinor forcefully pushed him away. "Go away!" Stunned, Kenneth saw a side of Elinor that clashed with the beautiful, docile woman he thought he knew. 'Is this really the Elinor I know? Has she discovered something?' Kenneth thought to himself. Just as he was about to offer some explanation, the man lying in bed opened his eyes. "He's awake!" Jaxson opened his eyes. They were like galaxies, deep and mesmerizing, pulling people into their gravity. It had been a year since Kenneth had last locked eyes with Jaxson, and the experience was like standing at the edge of an abyss. At that moment, all thoughts of explaining himself vanished. All Kenneth wanted was to escape. "You were right. I should address you as Mrs. Adams. I won't disturb you and my uncle any further. I’ll be taking my leave now." Kenneth stumbled clumsily as he fled the room, probably out of guilt or fear. Left alone, Elinor felt her body tremble uncontrollably. They all said Jaxson would never wake up. What if he did? She raced downstairs. "Margaret! Jaxson is awake!" Upon hearing Elinor’s voice, Margaret Devens hurried out of her room. It was Elinor's first time encountering such a situation, so she looked visibly distressed and her face ashen. Margaret rushed out of her room. "Don't worry," she comforted, noting Elinor's pale face. "The doctors have said this could happen. He hasn't really regained consciousness." Standing at the bedroom door, Elinor felt an overwhelming sense of aversion. Even if it was normal for Jaxson to open his eyes, she was still frightened. "Ma’am, there’s no need to fear. Mr. Adams is not awake. We don't really know when he'll be able to wake up." Margaret sensed Elinor’s fear. It was natural for a young woman still in college to be scared by such an ordeal. "I understand. Thank you for your help tonight," Elinor managed a strained smile, bade farewell to Margaret, and entered the bedroom. Once she had calmed down, she remembered what Margaret had told her. Jaxson opening his eyes was normal, but that did not mean Jaxson had regained consciousness. "When will you finally wake up? Do you also wonder who did this to you?" Elinor knew no one would answer her. She had no idea how long this marriage in name would last, but her current predicament had left her isolated and vulnerable. On one hand, she feared Jaxson waking up suddenly, on the other, she hoped he would. Taking a deep breath, Elinor lay down beside him. Accustomed to sleeping alone, she found it a little unsettling to have someone beside her. She only managed a couple of hours of sleep before dawn broke. Margaret was already prepared, and the driver waited at the door for Elinor's appearance. "Ma'am, everyone has arrived. Don't be scared when you enter the manor. No one will harm you." Rumor had it that the Adams family members were ruthless and cruel. Elinor had prepared herself, but the sight of the whole family assembled in a cavernous hall, with Stella at the center, was intimidating. Elinor took a deep breath to steady herself and greeted everyone in turn, finally making her way to Stella. Stella looked incredibly pleased and nodded repeatedly, her eyes sparkling with unmistakable delight. "I heard there was a minor incident last night. Did you get some rest?" Stella knew everything that happened at the manor, despite not living there. Elinor replied, "I'm fine. I'm just not used to it yet." "That's alright. You'll get used to it soon enough," Stella said, a warm chuckle escaping her lips. She signaled to a servant who walked over, holding a red velvet box. "This is my gift to you. Take a look. Do you like it?" Stella watched as Elinor opened the box. Inside lay a ruby crown. Elinor hesitated for a moment. Understanding this to be a gesture of goodwill from Stella, she accepted it graciously. "Thank you, I love it." "I'm glad you do," Stella paused briefly, then continued, "Being part of the Adams family means you should revel in all the glory it offers. However…" Her voice trailed off, growing serious. Enjoying the family's glory also meant bearing its responsibilities. At that thought, Elinor felt her heart begin to pound and she looked nervously at Stella. While her husband was the object of admiration throughout Babington City, Elinor knew that it had little to do with her. "Is there something you'd like me to do?" Elinor finally asked. "Yes, my child. It breaks my heart to see Jaxson in this condition. If there's no hope for him to wake up, I want you to bear him a child." As Stella's words hung in the air, all eyes in the room were fixed on Elinor, awaiting her reaction. The request was jarring but somehow expected. With Jaxson reduced to a vegetative state, the chances of him waking up were almost zero. It was understandable for the mother to desire to see her son's lineage being carried on.