Chapter b386 /b

    bChapter 386 /b

    When Sana talled, Jessica was staring nkly at the new photo Madeline had just sent

    In the picture, Madeline stood outside an airport in a windbreaker and sunsses, looking cool and casual. But that wasn’t the key part at matalel was the figure of Brian striding over inside the ss wall.

    Even though his whole body wasn’t in the frame because of the angle, Jessica recognized him right away.

    She thought, ‘So Brian really took Madeline abroad with him? That so–called business trip was probably just an excuse for their trip togetheri. /i

    ‘And those online guesses that he went abroad to find my favorite food? Total nonsense.

    [Jessi, did you get the gift Brian and I picked out for you?] Madeline’s new message popped up at the same time as Sana’s cat.

    Jessica answered the phone without hesitation. “What’s up?” Her tone was strained like a storm was about to hit.

    Sana was a little taken aback. She wondered, ‘Has someone made Jessi angry again?‘

    “Just say it,” Jessica added, her patience wearing thin with her bad mood.

    Hearing her impatience, Sana quickly told her about Brian asking her to pass along some things and mentioned he’d brought her a gift too.

    “Tell him to take his stuff and get lost. And as for that so–called gift for you, I’ll make it up to you with twice as muchter,” Jessica said without

    hesitation.

    Jessica thought, ‘So Brian’s “gift” for me was the one he and Madeline picked out together? How disgustingly thoughtful of them.”

    The angrier Jessica got, the more she felt a surge of wronged feelings she couldn’t hold back.

    She thought, ‘I’ve kept my distance so carefully. Why couldn’t they just leave me alone? Or are the babies really that important? I just don’t get it.”

    All she knew was that right now, she didn’t want to see Brianb, /bor anything to do with him, even a little bit.

    Downstairs, Sana held her phone after the call cut off and looked silently at Brian. “Uh, Mr. Atkinson, I think you heard that. Jessi doesn’t want to see

    you.”

    ‘And she’s probably really, really mad at you right now,‘ Sana thought.

    Brian’s brows furrowed a little. “Has Jessi been in a bad mood these past few days?”

    “Not really. She went to the night market with me yesterday, and she seemed perfectly fine.” Sana shook her head.

    Brian thought, ‘If what Sana says is true, then her sudden change in mood must be because of me?‘

    But staring at the gift bags in his hands, he couldn’t figure out how he’d upset Jessica.

    Sana had a hunch that it was probably Madeline again, but she wasn’t about to help Brian.

    Sana thought, ‘Helping him now would be betraying Jessi.‘

    “Alright, you should go. I need to get back to work,” Sana said, stepping back and getting ready to turn away.

    “Wait,” Brian called out again. Before she could react, he quickly tore off the candy’s outer wrapper and stuffed bthe /bclear stic bbag /bbof /bloose bcandies— /bjust like the regr bulk ones sold in stores–into her hand.

    “Could iyou /istill pass these to Jessi? But don’t tell her I bought them,” he said.

    43 Mon 20

    Then he took the bag from Jackson and thrust it into her hands too. “This is a thank you. I’ll transfer money to byou /bterb, /bbplease /b

    Brian spoke earnestly, then turned, and strode off, giving no chance for Sana to refuse.

    She didn’t think she could hide anything from Jessica, so she might as well be honest from

    In the end, Sana had to head to Jessica’s office, with candy in one hand and the bag in the other.

    the

    start.

    But as soon as she walked in, she saw Jessica hunched over her desk, struggling to breathe into an oxygen mask.

    Sana panicked, rushing over to pat her back gently and swap out the oxygen tank.

    After a few minutes, Jessica finally caught her breath.

    “Thanks,” Jessica said, pushing herself up from the desk. But as soon as she stood, everything werit ck. She swayed and started to fall bsideways/b.

    “Jessi!” Sana’s heart nearly stopped. She rushed to catch her and looked at Jessica’s pale lips, worried. “Jessi, did you skip breakfast bagain /bbthis /bmorning?”

    “Yeah.” Jessica managed a weak reply, still trying to calm the startled Sana. “Don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s just low blood sugar. Help me over to bthe /bbcouch /bbto /blie down for a bit. I’ll be okay.”

    “Low blood sugar?” Sana repeated, and her eyes lit up as something clicked.

    She helped Jessica settle onto the small couch nearby and turned quickly to rummage through the things she’d brought.

    Jessica leaned back against the couch, watching Sana dig around until she finally held out a few fancy–looking candies, looking hopeful.

    “Jessi, these are from Mr… I bought them at a street stand this morning. The guy said they work really well for low blood sugar. Try one?” She peeled bone /band held it to Jessica’s lips.

    Even though she’d changed her wording quickly, Jessica had heard it.

    Jessica looked at the fancy candy at her lips, thinking about the onlinements calling her and Brian a “perfect match,” a “national couple.” Her mood lightened a little.

    She opened her mouth and took the candy. It was sweet, with a rich but not cloying fruit vor. It was really nice, and she liked it.

    Jessica nced down at the colors of the remaining candies. They all suited her taste. Brian must have picked them carefully.

    She thought, ‘Whatever his motives, he clearly put thought into taking care of me, didn’t he? That’s enough for what I need right now. Why should I feel upset?

    Jessica asked herself but got no answer.

    Sana, relieved that Jessica hadn’t refused the candy, quickly peeled the rest and held them out. She then went to pour a ss of warm water.

    Jessica took a sip and smiled reassuringly, “I’m okay now. Stop fussing. Come sit for a bit.”

    She pulled Sana down beside her and hesitated before asking what Brian had said to Sana downstairs.

    Sana was a little surprised by the sudden shift but didn’tment. She told Jessica exactly what had happened after Bri bstopped /bher.

    After finishing, Sana hesitated and spoke nervously. “Um, Jessi, I lied to you earlier. Those candies are the bones /bbBrian /bbgave /bbme/b. bAnd /bbthere’s /bba /bbbag /bbtoo/b. bHe /bforced it on me.

    “I’ll get it for you. Can you return it to him for me?” With that, Sana felt a weight lift off her shoulders.

    ‘Lying to Jessi for Brian has been so stressful,’ Sana thought.

    13

    13:43 Mon b28 /bbJul /boWG

    Jessica listened quietly and replied tly, “I know.”

    Before Sana could speak, she added, “Keep the bag. That kind of money’s nothing to Brian.“.

    bSana /bbgrew /bmore anxious, about to ask if she was angry, but Jessica cut her off again, “Don’t overthink it. I’m not mad, just a little btired/b. bGo /bdo your work I’ll rest alone for a bit.”

    Once Sana was gone, Jessica took out her phone and called Wesley.

    iAD /i