bChapter /b77

For bdays/b, whenever Jessica bcraved /ba particr dish and stepped out, Brian would materialize as if he had followed her all the time,

His deliveries, fruits or pastries, always hit her cravings with uncanny precision,

After yet another rejected dinner invitation, Brian returned to the vi to apany Jacob. Lately, he had been focusing on Jessica, and he had neglected Jacob a bil

“Dad, it has been long. When are you bringing Mom home? The moment Bn entered, Jacob greeted him with hopeful eyes that quickly dimmed.

He wanted to say Brian had lied. Brian had promised to bring Jessica back, but there was still no sign of her at all.

Brian’s resolve crumbled. Jessica was determined to divorce him. Despite his relentless efforts, Jessica remained unmoved,

Secing Brian’s hesitation, Jacob pouted. His lips trembled as he thought, ‘Another broken promise. Dad lied to me. Mom won’te back at all!”

The following day, at Hartdale International Bilingual School, Jacob spaced out in ss bagain/b.

Before, bhe /bhad studied hard just to get full marks and impress Jessica when she came back. Now that he knew she wouldn’t return, he didn’t even feel like studying anymore.

“Jacob! Jacob!” His desk mate gave him a nudge, snapping him out of his bdaze/b.

The teacher on the podium frowned, “Pay attention in ss.b” /b

Jacob shrugged indifferently. Even if he studied well now, Jessica wouldn’t praise him anyway.

At lunchtime, he threw his tray and the unappetizing meal onto the floor in a fit bof /bbanger/b.

Soon, he was called to the teacher’s office for wasting food.

Tears welled up in Jacob’s eyes. “I broke the rules. Please call my mom.”

He thought, “if the teacher called her, she would surelye.”

The teacher, who had heard some rumors, sighed helplessly.

When Jessica received the call, she was staring nkly at the table full of dishes in front of bher/b. Besides the dishes cooked by the bmaid /band delivered from home, Brian had also ordered takeout,

The teacher, Iris Green, said, “Hello, is this Jacob Atkinson’s motherb?/bb” /b

“Yes, I am. Hello, Ms. Green.” Jessica had always handled Jacob’s affairs, so she had saved the homeroom teacher’s phone number.

“I’m calling you to… Iris detailed how Jacob had gone from being motivated topletely disruptive. He hadn’t bpaid /battention in ss and had thrown his lunch in front of ssmates.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Green,” Jessica replied. “Please contact Jacob’s father. I don’t have the time right now. Understanding Iris intent, she still declined calmly.

bWhat /bshe didn’t know was that Jacob had heard her every word. Before the call even ended, he had already run out.

“bMa’am/b, I understand things might not be going well between you and Jacob’s father, but a child’s emotional development is important. Seeing Jacob’s reaction, Iris couldn’t help but offer some advice. It was not fair for kids to bear the consequences of adults‘ mistakers.

21A00: Mon 9 Jun

ww

bChapter /b77-

Jessica didn’t exin. It was a long story. And this situation was partly what Jacob had wanted before. He had rejected having a strict mother. He preferred to have someone who could always indulge him, like Madeline.

After hanging up, Iris hesitated briefly before calling Brian.

That evening, Jacob called Jessica first, but it wasn’t connected.

He then sent a message. [Mom, I think I’m sick. I’m feeling unwell. Can youe see me?]