Chapter 9
Jessie’s mind went blank. No wonder she had always thought Brandon’s actions back then seemed out of character. It turned out she had mistaken her savior all along!
Tears welled up in Jessie’s eyes. She looked up at Zane. “If it was you who saved me, why didn’t you mention it back then?”
He scoffed lightly. “I didn’t expect you to be dumb enough to mistake the person who saved
your
life. Besides, I didn’t want you to feel indebted to me because of that. Jessie, I never wanted you to settle. What I want is your genuine love. Do you understand?”
His eyes were clear and bright, filled with sincerity and devoid of deceit.
Jessie couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. As they streamed down her cheeks, she stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. Trembling, she uttered, “I understand now, Zane. From now on, let’s build a life together. Since I spent a decade mistaking someone else for my savior, I’ll spend decades making it up to you.”
Then, Jessie kissed him.
Zane’s eyes crinkled with joy. With a slight tug, he pulled her into his arms. His voice was low and magnetic as he said, “Let’s take this to the bed.”
Once his switch was flipped, Zane was utterly insatiable. It wasn’t until dawn that he finally let
Jessie rest.
At the Hickman residence in Kindale, Anna sat between Phillip and Liliana.
In a sweet voice, she said, “Mom, Dad, you’re finally back. I missed you every single day while
I was abroad.”
Phillip smiled dotingly at her. “It’s good that you’re home. Your mother never stopped talking about you while you were gone.”
Feigning innocence, Anna asked, “You guys still had Jessie, didn’t you? I’m sure she took great care of you over the past three years.”
At the mention of Jessie, Liliana’s features instantly hardened. “Don’t bring her up. It’s clear that I didn’t raise her. She’s never been on the same page as us. She’s been married for three years and is still childless. Moreover, she doesn’t even come home! If I could choose, I’d much rather you were my real daughter.”
Liliana had said this many times before.
A
smug
look crossed Anna’s face before she put on an understanding expression. “As long as you don’t mind, I’ll always be your precious daughter.”
The three of them were enjoying their reunion when Brandon arrived in a rush.
“Brandon, are you here to see my parents?” Anna quickly stood up and approached him.
Brandon glanced around the room but didn’t see Jessie. Disappointment flickered in his eyes.
“Hello, Phillip and Liliana.”
Phillip looked mildly displeased seeing Brandon alone. “Brandon, you came by yourself? Where’s Jessie?”
Brandon hesitated, not knowing what to say. How could he explain that Jessie had divorced him and disappeared?
Before he could speak, Anna jumped in to explain, “Jessie was feeling unwell a few days ago and had to be hospitalized. She’s probably resting at home at the moment.”
Since Brandon didn’t want to reveal the divorce just yet, he followed Anna’s lead. “That’s right. Jessie hasn’t been feeling well and is resting at home, so I came to visit on her behalf.”
Liliana wasn’t convinced and snorted. “She’s unwell again? Why is it that she always happens to be sick when it’s time to come home? Brandon, you’re her husband. You can’t just let Jessie do whatever she wants.
“Since she wasn’t raised by me, it’s simply impossible for her to rid herself of that low–class pettiness. But now that she’s your wife, she represents you too.
Brandon wasn’t in the mood to listen to their criticism. He simply replied politely, “Both of you are right. I’m going to head out now. I still have work to do at the office.”
Seeing him in a hurry to leave, Anna unconsciously tried to follow, but Phillip stopped her. ” Anna, stay.”
Chapter 10
