Chapter 16
Across the garden, Quentin stared at Jessica from a distance, his eyes burning with desperate longing, like he wanted to burn her image into his soul.
But Jessica just looked at him calmly, all the heartbreak and pain from before dissolving into nothing.
She casually closed the window, shutting out that face she was sick of seeing.
Soon after, a servant came rushing over. “Miss Jessica, there’s a Mr. Atlante at the front gate asking to see you
Jessica’s expression d didn’t change, her voice ice cold: “I’m not seeing him. Tell him to
The servant left without another word and never mentioned him again.[]
Jessica completely forgot about the whole thing.
et lost
By evening, rain was pattering against the windows. Nosh had woken up feeling much better and was back to his hyperactive self.
He pressed his face against the window, suddenly letting out a little gasp: “Aunt Jess, Aunt Jess! Look, there’s someone kneeling outside the gate ”
Nosh’s voice was all cute and confused, tinged with curiosity:[]
That’s when Jessica remembered what she’d forgotten. She rushed to the window and lo
looked where Nosh
h was pointing.[]
Sure enough, Quentin was kneeling in the pouring rain, his lonely figure looking absolutely pathetic.[]
The pity play–classic Quentin’s go–to move.
Back in the day, seeing him like this would’ve broken her heart, and she would’ve rushed into his arms
But now, she just found it ridiculous.
“The wants to kneel there like an idiot, let him,” Jessica said with zero emotion in her voice. “Just make sure if he passes out, someone calls 911. I don’t want him dying on our property.“]
She never thought she’d be capable of saying something so cold.
That night, Jessica didn’t sleep well at all.]
She had tons of dreams about her and Quentin’s history
She remembered that kidnapping, how they’d both risked everything for each other.
Back then, they’d been so in love, like the whole world had disappeared except for the two of them.]
She also remembered Quentin saying he’d rather give up the Atlante fortune than lose her.
But when push came to shove, he’d chosen the family over her anyway.[
Life was such a cruel joke.[]
The next morning, while Jessica was having breakfast, the servant approached: “Miss Jessica, that Mr. Atlante collapsed and got taken
to the hospital.”
Jessica had expected to feel some satisfaction from her revenge, but all she did was stir her oatmeal and mutter a flat “Okay.“]
“Got it,” Jessica said, her voice completely flat]
She kept eating her soup like she’d just heard the most boring news in the world.
But after thinking about it for a minute, she grabbed her phone to call home, when her dad’s call came through first.[]
“Jess, did Quentin come looking for you?“]
Jessica didn’t deny it: “Dad, I was actually about to call you to have the Atlante family come get him.“]
Her father let out a heavy sigh. “The Atlante family can’t reach him, so they had to contact me.”
That woman, Carrie Versta–she’s kidnapped Carter and is forcing Quentin to come back and see her.”
Jessica’s eyebrows shot up. She hadn’t expected Carrie to go full psycho mode.
Using her own child as leverage to force Quentin back was beyond twisted |
“I understand, Dad,” Jessica said gravely. “T’ll let Quentin know.”
After hanging up, Jessica’s expression was complicated.
In the end, she decided to go to the hospital herself, bringing Nosh along because she worried to leave him alone.
At the hospital, Quentin was still groggy when he woke up.
10
He opened his eyes to see Jessica he’d been desperately longing for, and his heart nearly exploded with hope.||
But Jessica stood by his bed looking cold as ice, those eyes that used to be full of love now completely indifferent.
Play your hand Chill, I’m Going Back to Beng a Bulostaan
