Chapter 22
Chapter 22
“What’s so inappropriate about it?” Jaxon’s narrow eyes lifted slightly at the corners. “Aren’t you two getting divorced soon?”
In other words, since the divorce was imminent, nothing really mattered anymore.
Still, the situation made Sally’s heart race. Jaxon was Brad’s uncle, after all!
She hadn’t even divorced Brad yet, so technically, Jaxon was also her uncle–in–law. Getting too close with Jaxon was just… too much!
Seemed to sense her unease, Jaxon opted for a swift resolution. He picked her up and quickly stepped over the railing, gently setting her down.
Sally had been worrying–would he even be able to carry her across? But turned out, for Jaxon, it was effortless.
He placed her down smoothly. The height matched perfectly, and she landed safetly on the ground.
She turned back to glance at him, her gaze tinged with gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Zale.
Jaxon didn’t respond. He simply withdrew his hand and gestured toward the front door. “If you don’t go out now, your son’s going to break the door down.”
Only then did Sally notice the increasingly loud knocking outside. There was no time to say anything more. She turned swiftly and headed for the door.
Watching her leave, the corners of Jaxon’s lips lifting into a faint, uncontrollable smile.
When Sally finally opened the front door, she found both Nick and Lauren standing outside.
“Mom, I’ve been knocking forever,” Nick looked at her with slight displeasure. “Why did it take you so long to answer?”
“I drank a bit too much last night and slept like a log.” Sally answered, pretending to be innocent.
Just then, the door to the adjacent room opened from the inside. Her explanation was cut short as her gaze met a cold, shadowy stare from behind them.
Jaxon met her eyes, grinning, but said nothing.
“Jaxon, you’re up.” Hearing the noise behind her, Lauren turned around quickly to greet. “Good morning.”
“Morning, Lauren.” Jaxon’s voice was low and cool as he returned the greeting before striding toward the stairs.
“Where’s Dad? He’s not up yet? I’m going to be late for school,” Nick chimed in. “Are you taking me or is Dad?”
“Your dad’s not here,” Sally looked away as she replied, her tone indifferent. “He went out last night.”
“What did you say? Brad didn’t sleep here last night?”
Lauren was about to respond, but someone else beat her to it–someone clearly shocked
Sally looked up and locked eyes with a pair of stern, icy eyes. Howard had come down from the third floor without anyone noticing. He was now standing at the end of the hallway.
He had heard everything they just said. Sally’s brow creased. She didn’t expect Howard to show up.
“He had seething urgent come up last night,” she quickly explained.
“That little brat…” Howard’s face twisted with anger as he slammed his cane heavily on the ground. His aged features were clouded with rage.
“Is Nick awake?” Just then, a deep voice echoed from downstairs. It was Brad, who had probably come back to drive Nick to school.
Sally glanced toward Howard, who turned away, furious, and started heading downstairs. Looks like this morning was going to be anything but peaceful, she thought.
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10:23 AM OD
Chapter 22
As expected, by the time she reached the dining room, she found Grandpa scolding Brad in a booming voice.
“What were you doing last night?” Howard snapped. “Why didn’t you come home?”
Sally drifted her gaze to Jaxon, who was sitting beside Howard, quietly eating his breakfast. Looked like he really enjoyed the
drama
“I got an urgent work call in the middle of the night, so I had to go take care of it, Brad explained. “It got really late, so I just stayed over there.”
A cold smirk crept across Sally’s face. She didn’t even know meeting Lena counted as work now.
Howard looked even angrier, his voice rising in pitch.
“Since when is work more important than your wife? No wonder Sally wants a divorce. With the way you treat her, who wouldn’t?”
“She locked me out after going upstairs. Didn’t let me in at all, Brad shrugged. “Since I had work anyway, I just left.”
As he spoke, Brad shot Sally a resentful glance, his eyes filled with displeasure.
He didn’t even blink while lying through his teeth, Sally thought. How had she not realized before that this man was such a smooth liar?
“Sorry, I drank too much and didn’t hear you knocking,” Sally said flatly, her face emotionless.
“Even drunk, no one sleeps through everything!” Brad raised his voice. “You just didn’t want to let me in, and now you’re making excuses?”
“Enough, it’s getting late,” Jaxon, who’d remained silent until now, broke the tense atmosphere with a calm voice. “Let’s just have breakfast. Didn’t you say you’re driving Nick to school?”
With Jaxon speaking up, Brad didn’t argue further. As he reached to pull out a chair, Nick had already slung on his backpack, looking anxious,
“Dad, I’m going to be late! Skip breakfast–can you just take me now?”
“Okay, let’s go now.” Brail pushed the chair back in.
Given that they were still at the old house and in front of so many elders, Sally naturally had to play the responsible mother.
“I’ll come with you-” She said, but her offer was quickly cut off by Nick.
“No need. Dad can take me.”
Lauren quickly handed Nick an egg and a bottle of milk. “Here, eat on your way.”
Nick nodded. “Thanks, Grandma.”
Once Brad and Nick left, Lauren and Howard claimed they had already eaten and headed to the back garden for a walk, leaving only Jaxon and Sally in the dining room.
Now that everyone else was gone, the atmosphere suddenly became tense and a bit awkward.
“You’re already down here,” Jaxon offered. “Might as well have some breakfast before you go.”
Sally turned to nicet his deep gaze. Those eyes were profound and unreadable. She couldn’t tell whether he was happy or angry
Fine” In the end, she gave a small nod and pulled out the chair across from him.
This had to be the most agonizing breakfast she’d ever had. Not because of his overwhelming presence–but because they’d spent the night in the same room, and she hadn’t given him any kind of explanation yet.
The awkwardness between them lingered like a fishbone stuck in the throat–impossible to swallow, impossible to cough up.
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10:23 AM
Chapter 22
They ate mostly in silence. When Sally finally finished and stood up, Jaxon, who had been silent throughout the breakfast, suddenly spoke up.
“Want me to give you a ride?” he asked.
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