bChapter /bb80 /b

Jacob sniffled wetly. “I really? Bn had broken promises too many times. Jacob wasn’t sure if he should believe him anymore,

b“/bDon’t believe me? Well, keep crying.” Brian headed upstairs.

Jacob was wronged, feeling unloved by both parents, Still, he chose to trust Brian, letting Sylvie help him go upstairs to wash his face and change clothes.

By the time Brian came downstairs, he was wearing formal attire, which was very different from his usual business suits. He looked at Jacob, then nudged him into the room to pick out a cute outli

While picking out clothes, Brian saw several sets of matching family outfits in the closet. Every once in a while, Jessica loved dressing the three of them in matching outfits for trips and photos.

But Brian always found them too childish, usually giving in just to humor her. He had only worn them for the photos, then immediately changed afterward. Jessica and Jacob were always the ones who truly enjoyed them.

Before leaving, Brian reminded Jacob, “Behave yourself when you meet your grandparentster. No temper tantrums or bad habits. Understand!”

“Got it. Fll be extra nice to them,” Jacob breplied /bwith bright eyes. He wanted to tell Brian he didn’t i grandparents.

have any bad habits. And he never knew he had

Brian and Jacob waited by the broadside /bbfor /ba bit before Jackson arrived, unloading shopping bags full of expensive gifts Brian had ordered just now for Jessica’s parents

That bevening/b, Grant Manor was full ofughter and joy.

“The Owl and the Pussy–cat went to sea. In a beautiful bpea/b–green bboat/b, they took some honey, and plenty of money Jacob was doing ba /bpoem from

memory.

“Oh, my

my smart grandson.” Ste was beaming with pleasure.

Jacob said sweetly, “bGrandma/b, I can recite many poems. Mom taught me.”

Fresh from work, Jessica nearly thought she had entered the wrong house. She was surprised to bhear /bJacob’s voice here.

“Jessi” Ste, facing the entrance, was the first to notice Jessica’s arrival.

“Mom!” Jacob turned around. His face Stup when he saw Jessica. bProbably /bbecause his grandparents were present, he ran over joyfully, trying to throw

himself into her arms.

But Jessica stepped aside coldly, her gaze fixed on Brian, who was sitting far too close to Dereck in the living room. She frowned, thinking, “Why bare /bthey

here?‘

Feeling Jessica’s chill, Jacob dared not pet

get too close, with a hurt expression, he leaned into Ste’s arms instead.

“I came to visit your parents and brought Jake along to meet them,” Brian exined smoothly as he walked toward Jessica. He added gently, his voice dripping with concern, “You bmust /bbe tired after bwork/b. Sit down band /brest.”

Jessica bshot /bhim a cold nce. bOut /bof respect for her parents, she held back the anger brewing inside

“bMay /b

bay/bb, /bbserve dinner/b,” Ste told the cook, May Ross. Then, bshe /bturned to Jessica, you must be hungry. Let’s eat.”

Ste then turned to Jacobb, /bsaying something to him. Soon enough, the previously gloomy boy bwas /bughing again.

Jessica remained expressionless, watching Brian and Dereck chatting animatedly about market trends and moving together toward the dinner table, Their rapport was so natural as if they had known each other for byears/b.

“May, bring out that wine I’ve been saving for years. Tonight, I’m having a drink with Brian,” Dereckughedb, /bseemingly oblivious to his daughter standing nearby

Brian nced at Jessica and replied, “Dereck, I’m driving tonight… Uh, well, let’s enjoy the drinks.”