Chapter 35
Jaxon glanced down–it was Caleb, his assistant, calling.
Answering the call, he walked toward the window. “Calling me this late? You’d better have something.”
“Mr. Zale, we’ve located that Hazel. Apparently, she’s in Westmere,” answered Caleb. “I also got her phone number. Should I send it to you?”
“Go ahead.” replied Jaxon.
“Yes, sir.
As soon as he hung up, a message popped up on his phone. He glanced at it and then immediately dialed the number, only to find no one answered.
Probably asleep, thought Jaxon. He didn’t dwell on it and simply hung up.
Meanwhile, in the room next door, Brad stepped out of the bathroom and saw that Sally’s phone on the nightstand was lit up.
As he walked over, the call had already ended.
Same old habit–always setting the phone on vibrate. Brad shrugged. They used to argue about this constantly because it made her impossible to reach at critical times.
The phone was password–locked, and Brad couldn’t unlock it, so he didn’t bother. He went straight to bed.
The next morning, when Sally woke up, Jaxon was no longer in the room. Only the sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Looking around, she finally remembered–she’d gotten drunk again last night.
She recalled clinging to the railing in front of Jaxon and felt a sudden chill on her scalp.
Every time she got drunk, she’d end up doing something ridiculous.
She must never drink again here! She told herself, sprang out of bed and tiptoed to the door.
Confirming that no one was around, she gently closed it behind her. Just as she turned around and scanned the hallway, she heard a door open from the room next door.
She hurried forward and came face–to–face with Brad’s dark expression.
“It’s early in the morning. Why are you sneaking around like that?” Brad’s tone was displeased.
He definitely hadn’t seen what just happened. Composing herself, Sally responded with a slightly detached tone, “You’re the one sneaking around.”
She ignored him and walked back into the room, but Brad called out again.
“You stayed in Grandpa’s room last night?” he asked. “Did his condition worsen again?”
Sally’s steps came to a halt. Clearly, Brad had come back last night and, not finding her in the room, asked Jaxon about it.
And Jaxon? He really went out on a limb with that excuse. Why did it feel like they were having an affair behind his back… Sally couldn’t help but ponder.
“Why aren’t you talking? Lost in thought?” Brad waved a hand in front of her face.
Snapping out of it, Sally gave a slight nod. “Yeah. He’s doing much better.
Just then, her phone rang on the table. She quickly stepped over and picked it up. It was a message from Lillian’s homeroom teacher, reminding her to bring the child to school by nine o’clock.
That’s right–she had to take Lillian to school today.
After replying, she was about to put the phone down when she noticed a missed call. It wasn’t from her primary SIM card–it was the secondary
onc.
This secondary SIM was for dealing with patients and crystal clients. While she was in prison, Abigail had been holding onto it for her. It had only recently been returned to her.
She’d even bought a dual–SIM phone specifically for it.
1/2
11:54 AM
Chapter 35
When she saw the number, it felt increasingly familiar. Like she’d seen it somewhere before.
A moment later, something clicked in her mind. She quickly opened the contacts for her primary number.
Comparing it with Jaxon’s number–her eyes widened in shock.
Why did Jaxon have the number for her secondary SIM? Thought Sally. Where did he get it?
At that moment, Brad’s voice behind her interrupted her thoughts.
Today is Nick’s graduation ceremony. You’re going, right? The teacher said both parents should attend to give the child a proper send–off.”
Hearing footsteps behind her, Sally quickly turned off the phone screen. Before he got too close, she stuffed the phone into her bag by the bed.
*I have something very important to deal with today,” she turned and gave him a cold glance. “I don’t have time for his graduation.”
Just as she stepped forward, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. “Listen, Nick is not just my son,” Brad complained. “You’ve skipped all his parent- teacher meetings, and now you’re skipping his graduation too? Is that how you think a mother should act?”
“Whether as a wife or a mother, I’ve always been dispensable to you both. What difference does it make if I’m there?” Sally sneered, her voice dripped with ice. “Lena can go instead, can’t she?”
Neither Nick nor I care about your past, about you going to prison, or about you embarrassing us,” Brad’s grip on her arm tightened. “But you’re the one who keeps choosing to stay away! You’re really—”
Sally almost rolled her eyes. “If you’re so afraid of being embarrassed, then why ask me to go at all?”
“No matter what, you have to attend today,” Brad snapped.
“Oh yeah?” Sally lifted her icy gaze. “And what if I don’t?”
Brad was livid. “Are you just trying to piss me off?”
“I don’t have the time or energy for that. Just sign the divorce papers already. Stop dragging this out,” Sally’s tone was frosty. “If you’re worried about Grandpa’s health and can’t tell him yet, then fine. Come with me and get the divorce certificate first.”
“You want me to lie to him?” Brad’s expression was grim. “Maybe you’re capable of that, but I’m not.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to get a divorce from you.”
Without hesitation, Sally yanked her arm free and strode toward the walk–in closet.
Meanwhile, Jaxon had originally planned to head downstairs, but ended up overhearing their entire argument at the doorway.
A faint smile curled on his lips. Only when he heard footsteps from inside did he finally head downstairs.
As Brad opened the door, he caught a glimpse of Jaxon’s back disappearing down the stairs. Just then, Nick’s voice piped up.
“Dad, it’s my graduation today. Is Lena coming?” Nick asked eagerly. “I called her, but she didn’t answer.”
Brad looked instinctively toward Jaxon. Only after confirming he hadn’t turned around did he respond lightly, “Fine. I will call Lena later, okay?”
“Okay, great!” Nick’s eyes lit up. “Mom doesn’t have to come, but Lena has to be there. You have to make sure she comes, okay?”
