Chapter 68
Jessica hung up
Timothy waited for her response, but all he got was the flat repetitive beep of a disconnected call.
Jessica took the ice pack from Mabel and lay down on the bed, pressing it gently to her swollen eyes
Mabel spoke in a low voice “Ma’am, I’ll go wam up the food. Once you’re finished with the ice, don’t forget to come have dinner” She quietly left the bedroom.
A moment later her phone rang–Timothy’s number lit up the screen
Mabel frowned.
The nerve of Mr. Lawson, flying overseas with their son to chase after another woman, leaving his wife all alone
She really didn’t want to answer, but after some thought, she picked up!!
As soon as she answered. Timothy’s voice came through.
“Has Jessica been crying?“%
At least he had a shred of conscience. Mabel thought. He still cared enough to ask.
}
can’t say for sure if she cried. She just woke up, but her eyes are red and puffy.
“Go tell her to book a flight and come see me. I’ve scheduled a family portrait session and a wedding photoshoot”
Mabel’s face lit up
“Of course, I’ll tell her night away
“And let her know if she doesn’t come this time, I can’t guarantee when I be available again.”
With those instructions, Timothy hung up
Jesce know he was always busy. He had to impose a sense of urgency, to make sure she’d come–make her behave, make her hurry
Mabel wanted to tell Jessica as soon as possible, but seeing her lying down with the ice pack, she decided to wait a little longer it wouldn’t make much difference This was a perfect chance for Jessica to mend things with Mc Lawson and their son. Mabel hoped she’d take it.
Not long after Jessica emerged from the bedroom
Mabel was busy cleaning, but hurried over to pass along Timothy’s message.
Jessica typed out her reply on her phone and showed it to Mabel: she wasn’t going.
She looked pale, her refined features drained of color!!
“Ma’am, you really should go Mabel urged gently. “Don’t you miss Mr Lawson and your little boy?
Jessica shook her head.
Mabel sighed inwardly, Jessica had always cherished her husband and son above all
Clearly, their actions had hurt her deeply.
Not wanting to upset Jessica further, Mabel tried again. “Mr. Lawson’s always so busy, but he’s made time this trip. If you don’t go now, who knows when you’ll get another chance? He wants to make up for the wedding photos–maybe it’s a sign things are improving. Maybe he’ll even plan a new wedding ceremony, ma’am. You shouldn’t let a chance like this slip by “l
Retake the wedding photosto
Hold a new ceremony?
What good were those ntuals to someone whose days were numbered 70
Jessica had no use for such gestures, nor would she continue to be his pawn, his shield against Sheds and the Lawsons‘ disapproval
A deep, aching sadness filled her
She remembered the day he’d said they’d reshoot the wedding photos, that the registry photos didn’t matter anymore. Pathetically, her heart had fluttered with hope… But Shella’s retum and the Lawsons opposition had changed everything. That’s when Timothy started to play the doting husband–offering explanations, acting gentle, protending to care!!
He was terrifying in his own way
Jessica didn’t dare think too deeply
She didn’t even want to check his travel schedule.
For seven years, he’d always been on business trips. Who knew how many of those days were really spent with Sheila?
Jessica stayed silent for a long time. Mabel thought she was considering going overseas to see her husband and son
Mabel stood quietly by her side, waiting for her answerl
Jessica pressed her fingers to her brow, trying to shake off her thoughts. She tossed the used ice pack in the trash and headed to the dining room for dinner?
She didn’t answer Mabel’s question. Mabel followed, still speaking softly. “Ma’am, from the sound of it, it wasn’t easy for Mc Lawson to make time this trip. If you go, The thire of you can finally be together again
