:

    b50 /b

    b55 /bvouchers

    By early evening, Miguel finally showed up at the station after repeated calls from the authorities. His expression was dark with frustration.

    Inside the holding room, Grace and Peter rushed toward him the moment he stepped in.

    “Son, thank God you’re here,” Grace cried, her voice trembling. “I was so scared…”

    It was the first time in her life she had set foot in a police station, and she was visibly shaken.

    Peter, however, appeared far moreposed. Seeing Grace clutch Miguel’s arm, he pped her hand away with a scowl. “What are you doing? Look, you’ve scratched his arm.”

    Then, putting on a forced smile, he leaned in and said, “Miguel,e on. Just post whatever bail they want and get us out of here. I can’t stay in this dump another minute.”

    Peter had been taken into custody several times back in his hometown for dodging debts, each time leaving him a little more shaken, so just being in a police station now was enough to put him on edge.

    Miguel, already irritated by the public embarrassment his parents had caused him, lost what little patience he had left.

    He jabbed a finger at Peter and snapped, “Do you think bail is free? I told you to talk to Madeline, not go poking around with some big shot. Now look what you’ve done. Got yourselves locked up!”

    Peter flinched but still muttered, “But… we gave you all the money we had. Can’t you just spare some and get us out? I’m still your father.”

    Miguel sneered. “There it is again, guilt–tripping. That money’s nearly gone. Honestly, why not just stay in here for a few days? You’re not doing anything useful outside anyway.”

    He had no intention of paying unless absolutely necessary.

    “No, no, I don’t want ito /istay here,” Grace said quickly, shaking her head in distress.

    Miguel didn’t miss a beat. “Then pay for yourselves, assuming you can.”

    Grace’s eyes filled with tears. She wiped them away with trembling hands and pleaded through choked sobs, “We… we gave you everything. Just this once. Please help us. I swear, if you get us out, we’ll find a way to get you more money. Please…”

    Peter nodded eagerly. “She’s right. Just help us this time. We’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

    :

    b50 /b

    55 vouchers

    He clung tightly to Miguel’s arm, as though afraid his son might walk out and leave them there.

    One of the officers nearby watched the scene unfold, his expression one of thinly veiled contempt. This family, clearly, was a mess.

    Miguel tried to shake Peter off but couldn’t. Gritting his teeth, he growled, “Fine. I’ll pay. But you’d better have more money for me within a month, or don’t expect anything from me again.”

    Grace and Peter nodded fervently.

    Only then did Miguel begrudgingly go to settle their bail and have them released.

    No sooner had they stepped out of the station than he muttered an excuse about his girlfriend needing him and walked off, without so much as offering them dinner.

    Left with no choice, Grace and Peter dragged their aching bodies back to their rented apartment. On the way, they pulled out a battered secondhand smartphone and began searching for information about Jessica’s whereabouts.

    They had quickly realized Brian was cold and ruthless. There was no hope of getting money out of him. But the pregnant woman by his side? Jessica seemed like an easier target.

    Brian was so protective of Jessica, which had to mean the child she was carrying was his. If they could find a way to kidnap her and use her as leverage, Brian would have no choice but to give in.

    Jessica, of course, had no idea that Grace and Peter had already begun plotting against her.

    After Brian had the two of them taken away by the police, Jessica didn’t give them another thought. It was Brian who spent the rest of the day on edge, worried that the incident might bring back painful memories for her and worse, make her resent him for it.

    Jessica noticed his anxiety and found it almost amusing. She considered reassuring him, telling him it didn’t bother her, but then thought better of it.

    Words wouldn’t change the fact that Brian still felt guilty. Rather than exin herself, she decided it was better to give him opportunities to make it up to her, to prove through actions that she truly no longer held it against him.

    So, over the next two days, Jessica kept Brian thoroughly upiedi, /iorganizing gifts, wrapping them, and driving her around to deliver them to friends and family.

    The busier he was, the less time he had to overthink.

    Once most of the gifts they’d brought back had been distributed, Brian finally seemed to

    ?

    return to his usual self.

    b50 /b

    55 vouchers

    That night, Jessica nced at the calendar and noticed the following day was Wednesday.

    As they were getting ready for bed, she said casually, “Let’s go see Dr. Finch for a check–up tomorrow. We can bring him some of the things we brought back, itoo/i.”

    Before she’d left to film the show, she had visited Wesley Finch nearly every Wednesday. She’d only missed one week, so she figured her regr time slot was likely still open.

    Brian’s face tensed slightly at the mention of Wesley.

    He felt fine now,pletely back to normal, or so he told himself. But he didn’t dare aloud. Jessica would challenge that in a heartbeat.

    “Sure,” he said after a moment, opting not to argue.

    say

    it

    The next morning, Brian drove Jessica and several neatly packed gift boxes to Wesley’s clinic.

    Wesley weed them with an easy smile. “I had a feeling I might see you two today. And are those for me?”

    “They are,” Jessica said, smiling warmly. “How have you been, Dr. Finch?”

    Brian quietly set the boxes on the coffee table while the two exchanged greetings.

    After some light conversation, they moved on to the session.

    Jessica went in first.

    Wesley asked about several previous concerns, and as they spoke, it was clear she had made significant progress. Some deeper issues lingered, but her general state was markedly better.

    “I really think things are fine the way they are,” Jessica said with a soft smile. “I don’t feel the need to change anything else.”

    Wesley nodded thoughtfully. “That’s not unreasonable. If you feel at ease, then that’s what matters. Living well doesn’t always mean fixing every w.”

    At nearly eight months along, Jessica’s emotional resilience was impressive. Pushing for more than she was ready to give would be unnecessary, perhaps even harmful. There was no benefit in risking her current stability.

    “Exactly,” Jessica agreed, then began describing her observations about Brian’s mood over the past week,

    Wesley listened closely, When heter met with Brian for his individual session, hepared

    both ounts. They matched almost entirely, which reassured him.

    50

    55 vouchers

    “Mr. Atkinson, congrattions. You’ve made excellent progress. If you stay on this path, I’d say you’re well on your way to a full recovery.”

    Brian exhaled, tension easing from his shoulders. “Thanks, Dr. Finch.”

    Wesley closed the file and stood. “You’re very wee. Would you mind if I shared the good news with Ms. Grant?”

    “Not at all.”

    The two walked out together, chatting casually as they made their way back to the waiting roomi, /ionly to find it empty. Jessica was gone.