Chapter 17
“You’re awake.” Jessica’s voice was flat and cold, like they were complete strangers who’d just met.[]
But Quentin was shaking with excitement.
He hadn’t seen her face for a whole month, and the crushing loneliness had been driving him out of his goddamn mind
Now, finally seeing her again and hearing her voice, all that pent–up emotion came flooding out []
His eyes were bloodshot as he suddenly sat up and pulled Jessica into a desperate hug ||
“Jess, it’s really you. Jesus, I’ve missed you so fucking much.”
Quentin’s voice was rough and broken, filled with raw desperation.]
Jessica’s body went rigid for a second before she shoved him away hard: “Quentin Atlante, we’re divorced”
Quentin stared at his empty arms, pain flashing across his face.
“Jess, I don’t accept the divorce,” he said frantically, trying to salvage something. “T was wasted that night–1 had no idea I was signing divorce papers.”
His voice was panicked and pleading, like a kid about to lose his favorite toy.
But Jessica just stared at him coldly, not even a flicker of emotion.
“Quentin, you should’ve thought about this six years ago when you started fucking Carrie ”
She let out a cold laugh, her voice dripping with contempt
Quentin’s face went white as he shook his head frantically: “Jess, you gotta believe me–I didn’t have a choice! Everything I did was because I was trapped!”
His voice was trembling with desperation, like he was clinging to the last piece of driftwood in a storm.[]
“The Atlante family needed an heir, and I had to control the company to protect you better. I never thought…“]
“Enough“” Jessica’s voice was ice–cold and sharp. She was done listening to his pathetic excuses. “When the hell did I become some helpless little princess who needs you to save her!”
“I was ready to die for you back then–your protection was just a nice bonus
Jessica’s words hit Quentin like bullets, each one tearing straight through his heart.]
“You knew damn well I could’ve faced anything with you,” Jessica said, her eyes full of disappointment. “Even if we’d lost the Atlante fotune, we could’ve built something new together. That was never an excuse to cheat on me!”
Quentin sat there frozen, his heart feeling like it was being carved up with a knife, tears burning his eyes.[]
Yeah, he’d always known Jessica wasn’t some delicate flower he kept in a cage–she was a goddamn warrior who could take on the world, who’d even protect him.
He’d let power and greed blind him. He’d known better, but he’d chosen to hurt her anyway |
What the fuck had he done?]
His vision bl
blurred as tears started falling–he couldn’t even remember the last time
e he’d cr
cried
The tears rolled down Quentin’s cheeks and hit the white hospital sheets, leaving dark stains.]]
They were mixed with his despair and regret.]
He clenched his fists, his voice breaking: Tess, I fucked up. I know I fucked up so bad. Please… please just give me one more chance, I can’t live without you.
His eyes were full of desperate pleading, like a drowning man reaching for a lifeline.]]
“I got rid of Carrie, and I can leave Carter with the Atlante family. I’ll cut all ties with them–I’ll follow you anywhere in the world. I only want you.”
If the old jessica had heard this heartfelt confession, she would’ve been sobbing and running back into his arms.
But this Jessica wasn’t going to fall for it anymore.]
“It’s too late, Quentin. You’re too fucking dirty.” She gripped Nosh’s hand tighter, looking at him with cold disgust. “Oh, and I forgot to mention the Atlante family’s in deep shit
“Carter snuck into the psychiatric hospital and helped Carrie escape, but now she’s holding him hostage and demanding to see you”
“Go back, Quentin. He’s your son after all. We’re over.”
Jessica’s words were razor–sharp, cutting through the last thread of hope in Quentin’s heart []
Watching Jessica walk away, his heart felt like it was being crushed in a vice. He didn’t even have the strength to chase after her.
He knew that this time, he’d truly lost her forever.
