The Genius Bride He Underestimated Chapter 02

The Genius Bride He Underestimated Chapter 02 He Came Home Early

But he didn’t dig into it any further.

Sloane followed up right away. “Tomorrow’s Monday. Do you have time in the afternoon? Why don’t we go to Civil Council early and get it handled? It shouldn’t matter if we do it two months ahead of time, right?”

Even after signing, there was still a one-month cooling-off period. And it wouldn’t be long before she gave birth.

Jaxson looked at her. She was too calm, too straightforward. Something like scrutiny flickered in his eyes before he pulled his gaze back. “Whenever I call, that’s the time.”

Sloane lowered her eyes and didn’t speak again.

The car arrived at the Cole Estate.

Wren had called them back because of the baby in Sloane’s belly.

The Cole family had more men than women.

Wren had two sons. The eldest was Ethan Cole. The younger was Julian Cole.

Ethan had two sons. The eldest, Felix Cole, had gotten married a few years ago and had a pair of twin boys. They were five this year. The younger, Miles Cole, was twenty-four and still unmarried.

Julian only had one son—Jaxson.

So when it turned out Sloane was carrying a girl, both Wren and Noah were overjoyed.

“It really is good news. The moment our little sweetheart arrives, the old man’s illness is basically cured.”

Seeing how much her mother-in-law valued the baby, Lyra quickly echoed her, then added a couple of nice words to Sloane.

Sloane sat quietly to the side, hands folded, her posture obedient.

Looking at her—plump, head bowed, meek as could be—Lyra found her hard to stomach. But with Wren right there, she kept it off her face.

Wren, however, was in high spirits. She gifted Sloane an expensive emerald bracelet.

Sloane blinked, flustered, and immediately tried to refuse, pushing it gently back.

Lyra Cole, Jaxson’s mother, spoke up. “If Wren’s giving it to you, take it.”

So small-town. So timid. Just like someone who’d never learned how to carry herself in public.

Sloane stopped protesting and accepted the bracelet. “Thank you, Grandma.”

“Take good care of that baby. Give us a healthy, chubby little one.”

Sloane smiled and nodded. She knew Wren’s kindness had nothing to do with her.

Originally, she and Jaxson were supposed to stay for dinner.

Until Jaxson stepped out to take a call.

Through the glass door, she saw something shift in his expression—a softness in his eyes, indulgent, almost tender.

It sounded like they’d just gotten a pet.

Jaxson murmured the pet’s name. Sweetie.

If he married the woman he actually loved, she thought, he’d probably make a good father.

“Mm. I’ll be right there.”

He hung up.

When Jaxson turned and walked back in from the balcony, he found Sloane standing just inside. She flinched, slow to react, lifting her gaze to meet his—only to be met with the cold, distant face of a stranger.

Her chest tightened. She managed, “Grandma wants you in the study.”

He said nothing. Just walked past her.

Sloane stayed where she was, heart clenched in a grip she couldn’t loosen.

She didn’t know how long she stood there before she finally came back to herself.

Jaxson reached the study.

Wren and Noah were both inside.

“Jaxson,” Wren began, “Grandma knows you don’t have feelings for Sloane. But the baby’s almost here. And Sloane herself is accomplished—top university, well-educated, gentle. What this marriage needs right now is stability. She’s the most suitable partner for raising children and supporting her husband.”

Jaxson said nothing.

But the faint furrow in his brow—the tension there—spoke volumes.

How could Wren not see it? Sloane really was plain. Standing next to her grandson, they just didn’t look right together.

Noah cut in. “Right now, your marriage can’t afford any disruptions. If you truly don’t care for her, as long as she doesn’t do anything reckless, keep things steady for a year or two.”

Wren added, “Exactly. Too many people are watching you, waiting for a story. Let her raise the child first. Divorce later—it won’t be too late.”

Jaxson was quiet for a long moment. His handsome features revealed nothing. Finally, he said, “Grandpa, Grandma. I understand.”

When Sloane saw Wren again later, Wren said simply, “Something came up at Jaxson’s office. He had to leave. I’ll have the driver take you home.”

Sloane nodded. “Okay.”

Before she left that day, Wren reminded her, “Even though you’re pregnant, you still need to exercise more and take care of yourself. Back when Lyra was pregnant, she still had to accompany her husband to events and manage the household. Some things are easy to get, but holding onto them isn’t easy.”

Sloane understood instantly what Wren meant.

Being a daughter-in-law in Cole family wasn’t easy. If she wanted to secure her position, she had to change herself.

And in her current state, she would only embarrass Jaxson.

She had thought about getting better—working out, doing yoga, trying to lose weight. But she lacked the drive to keep going. She grew exhausted in body and mind, and her weight only climbed.

But Wren was right. She couldn’t keep sinking like this—though not to secure her place. For her future self.

“Grandma, I understand.”

Night.

What surprised Sloane was that the man who’d brought up divorce that morning actually came home.

“You…”

“Make me a bowl of chicken soup and bring it to the study.”

After that, Jaxson went upstairs to the study.

Sloane snapped back to herself, went to the kitchen, cooked a bowl of chicken soup, and delivered it to the study.

He was flipping through documents in his hand, his features hard and cold, his whole body giving off a distant, untouchable chill.

She didn’t disturb him. She turned and left the study.

Even if he came back, they still slept separately.

He slept in the master bedroom on the second floor.

She slept in the guest room on the first.

The next day.

Because Jaxson was home, the housekeeper prepared a lavish breakfast.

He sat at the main seat and didn’t see Sloane.

Usually, when he was home, Sloane not only ironed and prepared the clothes he’d wear the next day, she also made his breakfast herself. She really had been a dutiful, proper wife.

But that morning, there were no freshly ironed clothes laid out. And breakfast had been made by the kitchen staff.

“Where is she?” Jaxson asked, irritation creeping into his voice.

Maren didn’t hesitate to unload her grievances. “I went to wake her first thing, and she just refuses to get out of bed. Every day we have to bring meals to her room. She acts like we don’t exist. Ask her what she wants to eat—she won’t say a word. We’re not mind readers. She’s just pregnant, that’s all. When Mrs. Cole was expecting you, Sir, she still serve Mr. Cole well. But this one? She acts like she’s checked into a resort.”

Jaxson’s brow tightened. “Go wake her up.”

“Yes, sir.”

Sloane had actually been awake for a while. She was just waiting for Jaxson to leave.

Then the door swung open, and Maren walked in without knocking. Spotting Sloane already seated on the sofa, she let out a sneer thick with contempt. “Oh, look at that. The Young Madam, waiting to be invited out of bed.”

Sloane lifted her gaze, her voice cool. “I’m not. Are you?”

For months, Sloane had kept her head down, never once talked back.

Maren hadn’t expected that.

“If you keep forgetting your place, don’t blame me if I tell Wren exactly how you’ve been carrying on.”

She was getting divorced anyway. What did she have to lose? With two months left, why keep swallowing insults?

Maren’s eyes went wide. “You—”

Just yesterday, Lyra had called and told them to take good care of her. Even if it was a girl, this would be the only daughter of the Cole family’s third generation. Sloane was lucky—carrying a girl meant Wren had taken notice.

Maren choked back her anger. “The Sir’s waiting for you in the dining room.”

Sloane was surprised.

She made her way to the dining room.

Jaxson was already eating. He glanced up as she entered. She wore a white knit tunic, the fabric stretched out of shape by her swollen body. Her steps were unsteady, her pace slow, her belly so heavy she looked like she’d carried multiple children before.

Sloane felt his eyes on her and consciously sat far from him. Then she heard his flat, cool voice. “Maren and the others have been with the Cole family for decades. You can’t expect them to cater to you in everything. You’re only pregnant. It’s not like you can’t move.”

Only pregnant?

Yeah.

To him, this accidental child probably meant nothing at all.

This sudden scolding of his had to be because Maren had been running her mouth to him.

And it wasn’t the first time.

Sloane stirred the porridge in her bowl, her voice even. “If they resent having to look after me, then send them back to the main house. I can manage on my own.”

After all, she cooked for herself, washed her own clothes, cleaned her own room. The staff only bothered putting on a show when Jaxson was around.

Jaxson’s brows drew together.

Sloane recognized that expression—it was his tell. Displeasure.

In work and in life, Jaxson was relentlessly controlling. He didn’t tolerate being contradicted.

“I’m telling you. I’m not asking for your input.”

Sloane lowered her head and fell silent.

Jaxson looked at her—that flat, hollow expression—and his jaw tightened.

He turned to Maren and the others and told them that from now on, she could handle her own affairs. They didn’t need to wait on her.

Sloane’s fingers tightened around her fork.

Breakfast ended.

Jaxson left.

Sloane went to Silverlake University.

She arrived at Leo’s office.

Behind the desk sat a young man in a tailored suit. His nose was sharp and straight, rimless glasses resting on its bridge, his bearing composed and deliberate.

Leo was only twenty-nine—the youngest full professor in Silverlake University’s Finance Department, a near-legendary figure whose name carried weight throughout the financial world.

Sloane raised her hand and knocked.