bChapter /bb66 /b

She cursed in her mind, “Damn it. Why did that bitch have bto /be back at this exact moment and ruin my n?b” /b

Though her heart burned with bresentment/b, Madeline kept her expression entirely bneutral/b, not daring to reveal the slightest hint of emotion on her face.

“Madelineb./bb” /bbBrian /bcalled out.

b“/bbYeah/bb” /bStarted by Brian’s sudden call, Madeline bnearly /bblost /bcontrol of her bexpression/b.

He said. bThank /byou bfor /beverything tonight. I’ll bgive /bbyou /btriple overtime pay.”

“Oh, bthank /bbyou/bb, /bbMr. /bAtkinson.” Madeline bunderstood /bthat Brian bwas /bsending bher /baway.

Madeline was breluctant /bto leave just right bnow/bb. /bTriple bpay /bbwas /bnot what she wanted bat /ball.

But she knew Brian bvery /bbwell/b. She immediately bstood /bup and said bgoodbye /bbto /bbJacob/b.

Right bnow/b, Jacob’s mind bwas /bentirely focused on Jessica. When he heard Madeline bwas /bleaving, he only replied, “Bye, Maddie.” He didn’t even btry /bbto /bpersuade her bto /bbstay/bb. /b

Madeline clenched her teeth in frustration.

Before leaving, Madeline said goodbye to Jessica and whispered in ba /bbvoice /bonly the two of them could bhear/bb, /b“Jessicab, /bI thought byou /bwouldn’t bregret /byour decision. Well, byou /bbknow/bb, /bBrian really knows how to please ba /bwoman.”

bHer /bbremarks /bmeant something intimate between Brian and herb, /byet bJessica’s /bcold eyes remained utterly indifferent.

Jessica knew Brian didn’t really cross the line with Madeline because if anything physical had truly happened between them, Madeline would be bfar /bmore barrogant /bthan this.

Yet even knowing ithat/i, Jessica’s resolve to go through with the divorce never bwavered/b.

“Mommyb, /bbare /byou hungry? Dinner bwas /ball cooked by Maddie…” Jacob blurted out but soon covered his mouth with his hand…

bHe /bremembered Jessica didn’t like Madelineb, /bso he looked at Jessica nervously.

“bI’ve /bhad dinner,” Jessica replied, her expression unchanged.

Her gaze met Brian’s across the room.

Sensing the tension, Sylvie said, “Mrs. Atkinson, I made the soups and dishes all ording to your recipes. Why don’t you sit down and try them?”

Seeing Jessica unmoved, Sylvie continued, “When you were baway/b, Mr. Jacob Atkinson didn’t have much appetite. I tried everything, but he hardly touched any of it. He just kept saying he missed you. In his heart, no one can ever take your ce.”

*Sylvie, thank you for taking care of him,” Jessica cut Sylvie off before she could bsay /bmore words.

Jessica gently pushed Jacob toward the table. “Eat your food first. We’ll talkterb./bb” /b

After speaking, she walked to the living room and sat on the sofa. She then pulled out her phone and began texting someone.

Seeing Jessicae back, neither Brian nor Jacob had any appetite left. They took a few bites and said they were done.

Jessica only said she had something to discuss with Brian. The three of them went upstairs while Sylvie stayed behind to clean up the table.

Once they reached upstairs, Jacob immediately guided Jessica into his room, beager /bto show off. “Mommy, I cleaned up all these toys and nkets myself. I’m more independent now. When are youing back?”

Jessica moved slowly but firmly withdrew her hand. She then gently shook her head.

Jacob pursed his lips, and tears welled in his beyes/b.

Brian was about to speak when Jessica took out ba /bcard.

The numbers on it were slightly faded. It bwas /bthe very bank card Brian had given her when they got married.

bJessica /bhanded the card to Brian and said, “It’s the 250,000 dors you bgave /bme when we bgot /bmarried. I bnever /bbused /ba penny. I’m returning it to you

Cuppies H

Retun Brandtil qual frocka med bun with girl thing to go by whey got married. “This se the toiling ng Turning t

Chan the power on gure necks bhave /bof far bring /b

Brian’s bgaz /bmoved down He could are Ou faint indem on bby /bring fingry when the nail alten After even years, even if the ring wat taken off the mark was still cibviou

fering bBrian /bbstill /bunresponsive, Jessica sok his bad and ced everything inmo din patim

She said bin /ba firm btone/b, “Brian, I’m returning everything you eers gave me

bShe /bmattered the rest of hey words in her mind. Including Jacob. I’m giving him bback /bto byou /b