Chapter 11
In the hospital room, Jacob looked like a mini version of Brian, the coldness in their eyes just as identical.
Jessica’s chest tightened. Even now, just thinking about the divorce made her heart ache in waves.
Her silence only deepened Brian’s assumption that something shady was going on between her and the man in the photos.
Brian’s fists clenched, veins bulging across the backs of his hands from the surge of anger. “Say it. Who is he? What exactly is going on between you
two?
“You ignored your phone calls, left your son in the hospital, all so you could have coffee with him?”
When he was frantically trying to call Jessica but couldn’t get through, and received a stack of photos showing Jessica “flirting” with another man, sent by someone unknown, he was so furious he couldn’t even speak.
He thought, ‘How could Jessica do this? How did she even dare?‘
In the photos, Jessica and Simon had their heads almost touching. Simon was tapping her forehead with his finger. The look in Jessica’s eyes was a kind of helplessness, like she didn’t know how to deal with him.
That kind of closeness made it impossible for Brian to believe their relationship was innocent.
“Jessica, don’t you have a sharp tongue? Then explain this to me. Who is he? How long have you been with him? Brian moved closer to her step by step, his voice cold and his expression grim.
On the hospital bed, Jacob, who had already been feeling upset, saw Brian burning with rage. He pursed his lips and then started to sob quietly.
It was the first time he had seen Brian this terrifying. In the past, even when Brian got angry, he only wore a cold face.
Jessica felt like her chest was tightening up. She took a deep breath and held back the tears that were about to fall.
She thought, ‘So in Brian’s eyes, just meeting another man means I’m cheating? Then what about him spending all that time with Madeline, even bringing her home like it’s nothing–what does that count as?‘
Jessica wanted to ask, but her throat felt tight, dry and sore, and not a single word would come out.
Brian’s face was gloomy as he pressed in on her. The two of them stared at each other like enemies.
“Jake, are you okay? Where did you get hurt?” When Madeline pushed the door open and walked in, Brian and Jessica were standing almost nose to
nose.
Jessica forced herself not to back down and held her ground against Brian. Neither of them was willing to give in.
Jacob had only been crying softly before, but the moment he saw Madeline, he burst into loud sobs. “Maddie, I’m scared.”
Madeline quickly glanced at Jessica, sneering subtly, then walked over to the bed looking full of concern as she went to hold Jacob.
Madeline thought, Jessica, you were the one who cheated first. Let’s see if Brian still wants to stay married to you now.”
Madeline was secretly gloating, but on the surface, she pretended to be nice and spoke up for Jessica, “Mr. Atkinson, whatever Jessi did, I’m sure she had her reasons. Please don’t fight in front of Jake, you’ll scare him.”
She made it sound like she was on Jessica’s side no matter what, like even if Jessica had done something wrong, it was understandable.
But the malice in Madeline’s words was obvious. Jessica could hear it and responded, “Madeline, cut the act. You know exactly what’s going on here.”
Jessica had no trouble figuring out the photos were taken by someone Madeline hired. What surprised her was how eager Madeline was to drive her
Out
Jessi, what are you talking about?” Madeline looked at Brian with wide, innocent eyes, as if she had no idea what Jessica meant.
Jessica didn’t bother playing along anymore. It was pointless to her. She sneered, “Fine. You win.”
She thought, ‘I’ll give Brian to her. No, I’ll give her both of them–my husband and my son.
5.58 AM
Chapter 12
