Chapter 22
So, Jeremiah merely said, “I need to stay here for about two more days. You can call me when you want to share, even about things that upset you.”
Paulette said jokingly, “You just want to hear gossip about me.”
Jeremiah didn’t know what to say.
His eyes twitched as he thought, “I don’t know whether I should praise her for being adorable or accuse her of being unromantic.”
Then, he decided to go with adorable.
Jeremiah replied dully, “Yes, I am.”
The answer created a wrong impression for Paulette. For a long time. afterward, Paulette believed Jeremiah was a gossipy and curious man. Whenever she heard interesting news, she’d share it with him. immediately.
But that was a later story.
After the call, Paulette felt a lot better.
She stared at the ceiling and picked up her phone. She told Maxine that she was going back to the Chapman’s mansion the next day on WhatsApp.
She figured she could stay a few days till Jeremiah returned.
By then, she could go to Crireton.
***
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Patricia’s back was severely injured. The test result wouldn’t be back till. the next day, so she had to spend the night in the hospital.
Nelson went home to pack her things. He didn’t expect to fight with Paulette.
It was 3 pm when he went to the hospital again.
Patricia was sitting up in bed, looking weak. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Nelson. She pouted, “What took you so long? The doctor came and said it might leave a scar. I’m so worried.”
Nelson put down the bag and picked up the medical record.
“No, it won’t scar.
“Even if you have a scar, we can find the best plastic surgeon from overseas. You’re going to be fine.”
Staring at Nelson’s handsome face, Patricia sensed that he had something on his mind. She asked tentatively, “When you were home…you didn’t argue with Paula, did you?”
Nelson froze and frowned.
His silence gave Patricia an ominous feeling.
She bit her lip and said softly, “Paula is young and is bound to be reckless. If she says things that upset you, let it go.”
“I know.” Nelson put down the record and unbuttoned his suit before sitting down on the bed. He gazed at Patricia. “She saw the jade pendant I gave you. That’s why she snapped.
“Tricia, I warned you to be careful. Why did you let her see it?”
Under the cover, Patricia’s hands clenched into fists. Her eyelashes
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fluttered as she said, “It’s my fault….
“Since she had misunderstandings about me, I bought a bracelet as a gift. But in a hurry, I took out the pendant instead. Paula saw it right away… It’s my bad.”
Looking at Patricia’s tears, Nelson couldn’t help but feel guilty.
What was he thinking?
How could he talk to Patricia in this tone?
There was no way that Patricia picked a fight with Paulette.
Nelson scooted over and pulled Patricia into his arms before kissing her gently on the forehead.
“It’s not your fault. I spoiled Paulette too much. Her temper is just this bad. You’re too kind. The next time she defies you, you have to stand up for yourself.”
Patricia relaxed inwardly and said softly, “I can tell that Paula isn’t a bad kid. But maybe she depends on you too much and thinks I stole you from her…
“Nelson, have you considered letting Paula live by herself?”
Nelson frowned. “Live by herself?”
“Yes.”
Patricia noticed the reluctance in Nelson’s eyes and scoffed inwardly, but her expression remained unchanged.
“Just like kids keeping distance from their parents after they grow up. She can pick a place nearby so that you can still take care of her.
However…she’s a gift and you’re a man. If you keep living under the same
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roof, she’s bound to have a false sense of love.”
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