“Jessi, are you okay? That douchebag Brian didn’t do anything to you, did he?” Gabri asked the moment she picked up.

Jessica could picture the worried look on her face. “I’m fine. He—”

b“/bWhere are you? I’ming to get you right now.” Gabri was so anxious she couldn’t even hear Jessica’s exnation.

She had heard Brian’s aggressive voice on the phone earlier and was scared Jessica might be getting abused.

“You don’t have to, Gabi. I’m really okay. Once the divorce is finalized, I’lle back,” Jessica remarked.

Gabri refused, saying, “No. I can’t stop worrying about you. What if that scumbagys a hand on you? How would I help you then? Send me your address. I’lle get you right now.”

“Gabi.”

“Jessica, don’t say no. Hurry up. I’ming to get you.”

Gabri’s stubbornness left no room for argument, and Jessica knew her well enough to give in. “Alright. Be careful on your way here,” Jessica replied.

The rk family had business all over the country, and it just so happened Gabri was in the neighboring city. She told Jessica to wait an hour and she’de pick her up.

About an hourter, Jessica got a call from Gabri. She was just about to arrive outside the vimunity.

Jessica changed her clothes. She hadn’t expected to run into Brian on her way downstairs.

He was sitting straight on the living room sofa. When he saw hering down, he froze slightly, thinking Jessica wasing to make peace. Then he looked away.

Jessica paused for a moment but headed straight for the front door.

“It’ste. Where are you going?” Brian asked.

It wasn’t until Jessica reached the door that he realized she wasn’ting to talk to him nicely–she was leaving.

Jessica hesitated for a second but didn’t stop and kept walking toward the door.

Suddenly there was a loud bang behind her. Brian had thrown something, and his voice came outced with sarcasm. “What is it? Heading out thiste to meet that secret lover of yours?b” /b

“I do keep him secret.” Jessica let out a coldugh and turned to look at Brian.

She then said with a sneer, “I’m not like you, Mr. Atkinson, bringing your mistress into the house like she owns the ce, acting like you’ve got nothing to hide.”

After that, she didn’t even bother to check his reaction and walked right out of Atkinson Vi.

She thought, ‘He cheats and just assumes everyone else does the same!

Just bas /bbJessica /bstepped outside, Gabri’s bcar /bpulled up.

“Jessi, get in.” Gabri said.”

Jessica got in the passenger seat. The two hadn’t seen each other in years, and the moment Gabri unbuckled her seatbelt, she wrapped her arms around Jessica and broke down crying.

“Alright. I’m fine, aren’t bI/b?” Jessica’s eyes were red as she held back her tears. If she didn’t, Gabri would cry even harder.

It took a while before Gabri wiped her tears away. “The night’s still young. bJessi/bb, /be on, I’m taking you out for a drink. Cry all you want, vent all you want, and tomorrow that scumbag won’t even be worthy of you.”

With that, she stepped on the clutch, turned the wheel, and sped out of the neighborhood.

“No drinking for me,” Jessica said.

Gabri chuckled, “Come on. Drink all you want. I’ve got you-”

“I’m pregnant. I can’t drink.”

11/2

b5:59 /bbAM /b

“What?”

The tires screeched as Gabri hit the brakes. She stared at Jessica, shocked. She hadn’t expected her to be carrying her soon–to–be ex–husband’s

child.

Gabri asked, “That jerk Brian doesn’t know you’re pregnant?”

Jessica found it a little funny hearing her call Brian a jerk and shook her head.

She was just about to say something when a driver behind them honked and shouted, “Do you even know how to drive? What, you think having a fancy car gives you the right to block the curb?”

Gabri nced in the rearview mirror. “I’ll take you back to my ce first.”

By the time they got back to the hotel, it was alreadyte. Jessica and Gabri stayed up talking most of the night before finally falling asleep.

Early the next morning, Jessica was woken by her phone ringing. She picked it up without thinking. The sky outside was already bright.

bIt /bbwas /bBrian’s voice. “Jessib, /bJake said he misses your cooking.”

Jessica felt a little less groggy and said tly, “So what?”

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