Chapter 37
Jessica let out a sarcastic laugh, laced with a trace of self–mockery. “It’s not the first time. Why even bother explaining to me?”
Her eyes were cold. Brian had brushed her off too many times using “business” as an excuse, and she didn’t care anymore.
Each time Madeline called late at night or after working hours, he’d always say it was business.
Brian’s gaze turned dark, and he was weighed down by exhaustion. He didn’t say anything back because he knew if he kept explaining, it’d just spiral into another fight.
He sighed in his mind, ‘How many times do I have to say there’s nothing going on between Madeline and me? Jessica’s the one who guided Madeline, but why is she even jealous of her own disciple?‘
He tried to steer the conversation. “Jake felt awful last night. He cried for hours until his throat gave out. He kept asking for you and wouldn’t stop till past midnight. He said he wanted to see you when he woke up.”
Brian painted a picture of Jacob’s heartbreak, hoping to move Jessica’s hidden tenderness.
However, Jessica’s expression didn’t even blink. It was like the one Brian talked about wasn’t her son, and Jacob felt like a stranger to her now.
Brain continued, “He didn’t mean to hurt you, you know. He’s just a kid, and he knows he messed up. Jessi, can’t you come home and comfort him?”
Brian rubbed his temples, clearly stretched thin. Thinking that Jacob didn’t even have breakfast this morning, he said, “He had a fever this morning. Hit 102. That’s not just bad for his health–it’s affecting his school too. Besides, the parent–teacher meeting is around the corner.”
He paused, his eyes locked on her. “I don’t have time for that. Jessica, come home, okay? Jake and I need you.”
Brain didn’t sound like someone owning up to his mistakes. His words sounded more like he couldn’t manage his life without Jessica around. He couldn’t deal with Jacob’s school stuff, so he wanted her to return.
Jessica’s heart was as tough as a stone. She thought about the past–how she handled every little thing about Jacob. Brian, the so–called father, never lifted a finger.
Jacob didn’t want to learn with other kids, so she dug through resources and found the right private tutor to teach him one–on–one.
Now, thinking back, she didn’t even want to waste another word on Brian. She hit the call button by the bed, and a nurse came to her ward soon.
Jessica said to the nurse, “Can you please ask this man to leave? I need some rest,”
“Jessica, don’t be unreasonable. Can you just think about Jake for once? We’re not beyond saving yet.” Brian’s voice was fight, his face grim.
Jessica didn’t reply. She turned away from him and lay down.
“Sir, the patient needs rest. I’ll have to ask you to leave,” the nurse said in a polite tone.
Brian stared at Jessica’s back for a long moment. Finally, he left. Once she heard his footsteps fade, she exhaled a sigh of relief.
Ten minutes later, she slowly sat up and reached for her phone. She dialed Simon.
“Hey, Jessi Simon greeted her casually, clearly unaware she was in the hospital.
“Hey, are you busy?” Jessica asked, picking up on background noise.
“Not really. Are you calling about the divorce stuff?” asked Simon.
Jessica sighed, “Yeah, can you fast–track the case and move the court date up?” She almost lost her patience. She didn’t want Brain to pester her again and again.
Simon went silent for a short while, probably trying to figure out how to explain the standard procedure to her.
“If needed, we can pressure him in the name of the Grant family,” Jessica added.
“Wait, something happened?” Simon asked. He could sense the urgency in her tone, like she couldn’t wait to cut ties with Brian completely.
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Chapter 38
Before Jessica could answer, Simon spoke, “Alright. Give me two weeks. I’ll try to make it happen.”
At Atkinson Manor, Brian had just stepped inside when Sylvie hurried over and reported, “Sir, Mr. Jacob Atkinson hasn’t eaten the whole day. He’s been calling for Mrs. Atkinson since he woke up.”
Brian was about to head to his study, but hearing that, he turned straight for Jacob’s room.
Maybe Jacob had heard the footsteps. He opened his eyes and whispered, “Daddy, where’s Mommy? You said I could see her when I woke up, didn’t you?”
Brian stayed silent. Even with the fever gone, Jacob’s cheeks were still flushed and weak. At that moment, Brian couldn’t help but think Jessica was being far too cold.
Tears slid down Jacob’s cheeks as he spoke up, “I’ve woken up so many times. She’s still not home. Why doesn’t she forgive me? I just blurted out something without thinking. Why is she holding it against me?”
Brian frowned upon hearing that. He had Sylvie bring up a bowl of porridge. He then sat down beside the bed and fed Jacob himself.
J
Jacob managed to eat half of it before his eyes started drooping, and he lay back down again.
Brian was just about to leave when he heard Jacob murmur under his breath, “Mommy, you are so mean. Why can’t you be more like Maddie?”
Brian’s eyes turned grim, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. He stood there for a beat and quietly walked out.
Around 5 PM, Jessica checked out of the hospital. She drove back to her parents’s house, anxiety gnawing at her the whole way.
As the car rolled through familiar streets and pulled up to the old villa, her eyes stung with tears. It had been seven years since she stormed out in a fit of anger.
No sooner had she parked the car than Maria Carter, the housekeeper, appeared in the front hall. The moment Jessica stepped out, Maria’s eyes widened. “Jessi? Jessi, is that really you?”
“Oh my, you finally came back.” Maria got choked up and turned toward the staircase, calling out at the top of her lungs, “Mr. Grant, Mrs. Grant, Jessi’s home.”
“Hi, Maria.” Jessica greeted her.
Before Jessica even made it past the entryway, she saw Stella flying down the stairs. The moment their eyes met on the stairs, they both teared up.
Jessica muttered, “Mom.”
Stella replied with sobs, “My sweetheart, you’re home. Finally, you’re home.”
Stella threw her arms around Jessica, and she scanned her daughter from head to toe with a worried face. Ševen years had passed, and her little girl had grown into a mature woman.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Jessica whispered. Back then, she left without thinking, never once considering her parents’s feelings.
“It doesn’t matter now. You’re here. That’s all I care about.” Stella dabbed the tears from Jessica’s cheeks.
At that moment, the conflicts in the past seemed to fade completely. Stella tilted her chin upstairs and said, “Your father’s in the study. When he heard you would come back, he didn’t know what to do with himself.”
Jessica didn’t say anything. She just headed upstairs. She paused at the door, knocked, and then pushed it open. She whispered, “Dad.”
“Got the nerve to come back, huh? Thought you’d made up your mind to leave. Why are you here now?” Dereck had his back to her, not turning around, like he didn’t want to look at her.
However, the way his hand trembled around the mug gave him away.
Jessica’s eyes turned red again. She walked over and hugged Dereck from behind. “Dad, I’m sorry. I know I was wrong.”
Dereck’s shoulders jerked a little. He turned around and stared at Jessica’s tear–streaked face. He never thought his proud, headstrong daughter
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would be the one to come home like this and admit her mistakes.
His voice cracked as he asked, “Did that brat let you down?
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