Chapter 95
Jessica just stared at Henry, silent.
Henry thought she must be upset, so he hurried to explain. “Mom, you’ve always cared about me most, right? You wouldn’t want me to be teased by others, would you? When we’re alone, you’ll always be my mom. But could you let Miss Sheila pretend to be my mom in front of everyone else? Just for show–would that be okay?”
Jessica’s lips trembled.
This was the child she’d carried for nine long months.
She felt a deep, helpless ache rising inside her, the kind that makes you want to cry but leaves you with no tears.
Suddenly, a metallic taste filled her throat. She clamped a hand over her mouth and rushed out of the hospital room.
She doubled over in the hallway, retching.
When she pulled her hand away, she saw a smear of blood in her palm.
Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes for a moment, then walked toward the public restroom.
She turned on the tap and rinsed her hand clean, watching the blood swirl away, then splashed cold water on her face, desperate to wash away the tears threatening to spill.
She wandered out, numb, barely feeling the floor beneath her feet.
Her phone rang, She fished it out of her pocket–it was Henry, calling from his smartwatch.
She didn’t pick up. Instead, she hung up and typed out a message to Sallie.
[Didn’t sleep all night. I can’t hold out anymore. Can you come and take over for me?]
Whatever Sallie thought of her, Jessica knew Sallie would never leave Henry unattended.
Henry was Timothy’s only son.
And Timothy was Sallie’s younger brother, the one she’d helped raise. Sallie had never married or had children of her own–she doted on Henry as if he were her own. [Got it. I’ll be there as soon as I can.]2
Jessica stayed outside Henry’s room, determined to fulfill her duty as a mother, waiting for Sallie to arrive.
A new message came from Henry.2
[Mom, I already made a huge compromise for you. Why did you get upset and leave? Are you really going to abandon me?]
Jessica stared at the words, the ache in her chest nearly unbearable.
She took a deep breath. She couldn’t let herself think too much about all this right now.
Her son’s character had gone astray, but he was still young–there was time to set things right.
No matter how hurt or angry she felt, she couldn’t really hold it against her child.
She’d wait until Timothy returned, talk everything through with him. If all her suspicions were nothing but paranoia, if she’d misunderstood everything, she’d make a new decision–she’d give father and son another chance.
And no matter what, she’d do her best to set Henry back on the right path.
Even if she only had six months left to live, she couldn’t just stand by and watch Henry become someone she didn’t recognize.
Sallie arrived at the hospital. When she saw how pale Jessica looked, her brow furrowed. “Are you feeling alright? Maybe you should get checked out.”
After all, staying up all night is completely different from caring for someone during the day. It takes a real toll.
Jessica didn’t want anyone to know about her cancer, so she forced a smile. “I’m fine, really. Just a little tired from staying up. I’ll be okay after some rest.” “Then go home and get some sleep.”
Sallie could be sharp–tongued, but she wasn’t heartless enough to keep Jessica awake around the clock.
Jessica returned to The Gilded Whisper Estates. As soon as she stepped inside, she saw Mabel watching TV. On the screen, Timothy’s face appeared.
At the sound of the door, Mapel turned and spotted Jessica. She quickly switched off the television, her expression flustered. “You’re back, ma’am.“\ Jessica immediately sensed something was off.
It wasn’t unusual for Timothy to show up on TV, but why had Mabel rushed to turn it off as soon as she walked in?
Something was definitely wrong.
Jessica took the remote from Mabel’s hand and turned the television back on.
Chapter 96
Chapter 96
“Ma’am?“&
