Chapter 3
The instructor’s voice brimmed with delight.
“That’s wonderful news, Jessica. I’m so proud of you. This country needs young people with your sense of dedication.“–
“But you should know, this program is demanding, and you’ll be going someplace quite remote.”
“Your uncle is always so protective–will he even let you join?”
Jessica Lane gripped her phone, her tone resolute. “I don’t need his permission. I can make my own decisions.”
As soon as she hung up, all her strength seemed to drain away, and she slumped against the wall. But as she stepped back, she collided with the solid chest of
Carlson Adams.&
Jessica startled, while Carlson’s brows drew together in a frown.
“Who were you talking to? Join what?”
Jessica steadied herself and answered calmly, “Oh, my professor was just asking if I wanted to join one of the school’s clubs.”
Carlson didn’t press further, but his tone became matter–of–fact.
“The surgery’s scheduled for a week from now. In the meantime, I’ll be bringing Laura to stay at the house.”}
He paused, then added coldly, “And I don’t want to find any strange letters in my study again. I don’t want Laura getting the wrong idea.“>
Jessica turned her face away, digging her nails into her palm, her voice bitter as she replied, “Understood.“}
Ever since that impulsive kiss was discovered, Jessica had written Carlson a dense letter every week, pouring her heart out in words she could never say aloud.
But each letter, without exception, ended up in the trash.”
Still, Jessica stubbornly kept writing, even if her heartfelt confessions seemed bizarre and inappropriate in Carlson’s eyes.
Seeing her agree, Carlson said nothing more. He gave the driver some instructions, then turned and walked into the hospital room.
An hour later, Jessica saw Carlson’s car pull up to the hospital entrance. She watched as he carefully helped Laura Main into the back seat.
Jessica hurried downstairs and out to the curb, just as the car door was about to open. But before she could climb in, the car pulled away, leaving her standing in a cloud of exhaust.
A moment later, her phone buzzed with a message from Carlson.”
“Laura is sensitive about unfamiliar scents. You’ll have to take a cab home.”}
Jessica’s eyes dimmed as she put her phone away and flagged down the next passing taxi.
She rode in silence, staring out the window. The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror, concern in his voice.
“Miss, that bruise looks serious. Would you like me to stop at a pharmacy?”
Jessica shook her head, her eyes growing even sorrowful.
Her so–called family had never shown her an ounce of concern and the only person who bothered to ask after her was a stranger.
How ironic. How absurd.
When the car finally stopped in front of the house, Jessica stepped out and pushed open the door.
Inside, Carlson was nowhere to be seen–only Laura Main, idly toying with a necklace.
Jessica’s eyes narrowed. It wasn’t a necklace at all, but the necklace from her own safe–the only keepsake her parents had left her, so precious she rarely even touched it.
Now it dangled in Laura’s hands.
Jessica’s face turned icy as she reached out. “Give it back.”
“Ms. Main, you went into my room without my permission. Is that really how a lady behaves?”
Laura flushed with embarrassment, but before she could reply, Carlson’s voice rang out from upstairs.
“I told Laura she could go in She’s going to be the lady of this house soon enough. She has every right to come and go as she pleases. In fact, if Laura wants to move into your room, you shouldn’t have any complaints.“N
Carlson came down the stairs, his gaze cold and appraising.
Jessica’s face lost all color, while Laura, emboldened by Carlson’s support, grew even more arrogant.
“It’s just a necklace. If you want it so badly, here–take it.”
Laura thrust out her hand, but just as Jessica reached for the necklace, it slipped and crashed to the floor, splitting in two.
“No”
In that instant, the necklace shattered–and something inside Jessica shattered with its
It was the only thing her parents had left her, the one thing tying her to them
1
With tears brimming in her eyes, Jessica shoved Laura aside and dropped to her knees, trying in vain to piece the broken necklace back together. But nothing could change the fact that it was gone
Laura stood off to the side, at a loss, clearly not expecting such a reaction
Carlson’s expression tightened, after all these years, he’d never seen Jessica so unhinged.
But seeing Laura so shaken, he frowned and tried to comfort her?
Chapter 3
“Alright, enough. Laura didn’t do it on purpose. How much the necklace was worth? I’ll buy you another one.“%
