Chapter 9
Apology. The word stung Sally’s ears, and her hands clenched tight in front of her.
She glanced up at Jaxon’s face. His sharp jawline caught the soft, warm light, easing just a bit.
He smirked faintly but didn’t say a word.
The dinner was supposed to welcome him back, and it had gone up in flames.
“Sorry, Uncle Jaxon…” Brad’s brows creased for a moment. “I should’ve stopped her. Letting her ruin the dinner was a mistake.
“It’s rare for the family to be together like this–who knows when we’ll get another shot?”
Jaxon looked up, giving Brad a cool, distant glance.
After a long pause, he said, “Sally said she didn’t do it. I’d look into it properly before jumping to blame someone who might be innocent.”
Sally’s eyes snapped up, shocked.
But Jaxon kept his gaze ahead, not even glancing her way.
Even Jaxon believed her. Yet the husband and son she’d given years to blindly backed Lena.
Jaxon’s words threw Brad off. He remembered this was the second time tonight Jaxon had taken Sally’s side.
“You don’t know her like I do,” Brad said. “Three years ago, she set up Lena and ended up in prison. Now she’s cold enough to hurt her own kid. What’s there to investigate? It’s obviously her!”
Sally’s hands tightened, nails biting into her palms, sharp and raw.
Jaxon’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “That so?”
“Yeah!” Nick piped up, his small voice whiny. “Mom really did frame Lena before. Lena’s so nice. I don’t get why Mom would do that.”
“Because she’s jealous,” Brad cut in, voice sharp. “She’s always been small–minded, can’t handle a speck of dirt in her eye.
“Three years locked up, and she’s still the same–going after her own kid! She doesn’t deserve to be a mom…”
His voice grew louder, heavy with anger.
It sounded like he was just venting to Jaxon, but every word was a knife aimed at her.
Crouched under the desk, Sally’s blood ran hot.
In the past, words like that would’ve had her crying, shattered.
Now? Just pure anger.
When a heart turns to ice, even despair doesn’t hit anymore.
Her clenched fists eased a bit.
Maybe it was the rage, but her body shifted without thinking.
The
space under the desk was cramped, and her sudden move sent her elbow smacking into the wood.
A dull thud broke the tense silence.
“What was that?” Brad’s grip on Nick’s hand tightened. “Jaxon, it came from under your desk.”
Jaxon’s eyes flicked down, meeting Sally’s with a steady glance.
She looked up right then, their gazes locking for a split second before she lowered her head, pulling her hands back, scared to
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budge again.
Her heart was pounding.
This moment? It felt like she’d been caught in some cheating scene.
Jaxon leaned back, watching her look away before he did the same. A sly, almost amused smile curved his lips.
“Just a restless little cat under the desk,” he said, voice smooth.
Sally swallowed hard, nerves buzzing.
Jaxon really thinks fast,’ she thought to herself.
“A cat?” Nick’s eyes lit up. “You’ve got a cat?”
“Yep.” Jaxon nodded. “Picked her up today.”
“Can I see her? I love cats, but Mom and Dad never let me have one…”
JNot today,” Jaxon said, a hint of playful warmth in his tone. “She’s new, still getting comfortable. Got a bit of a wild side- might spook you.”
Nick paused, then asked, “Maybe next time?”
རང ༩ — ཋ ཌ
Jaxon gave a small nod, leaving it at that.
Brad caught the hint of irritation in Jaxon’s eyes and pulled Nick’s hand to head out. “It’s late. I’ll take Nick home. Next time, I’ll treat you to a proper dinner.”
“Mm,” Jaxon replied, his tone cool, watching them leave.
Sally waited until the footsteps died down before cautiously peeking out.
“Come on out, little cat…” Jaxon’s low, smooth voice reached her, and Sally froze for a moment.
In her mind, this man was a giant–commanding endless networks and resources, unmatched in the city’s business scene.
His every public sighting screamed that distant, untouchable vibe.
She never pictured him with this teasing streak.
As he slid his chair back, she hurried out from under the desk.
She noticed the subtle way he steadied his hand on the desk’s edge to keep her from bumping it.
“Thanks, Mr. Zale.” Sally gave a small nod, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
“No big deal,” Jaxon said, his usual cool demeanor settling back in. “We’re family, after all. We should help each others out.”
“Not for much longer,” she said firmly, her eyes flashing with determination. “I’m divorcing Brad. It’s not just talk.”
Jaxon’s brows lifted slightly before he spoke, his voice even. “Brad said you were in prison?”
“I was,” she replied, not backing down.
Jaxon leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. The black ring on his finger tapped softly against his hand as his sharp gaze fixed on her.
“Life after prison isn’t easy. Why divorce Brad now?” His voice was quiet, giving nothing away.
Sally held his stare, her eyes unwavering.
His gaze was deep, like a frozen lake in midwinter, impossible to crack.
“I was young and dumb, thinking love was all that mattered,” she said, each word steady. “Now I see things for what they are.
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me back.”
Staying would be the real mistake.
“Prison was just something I got through–it won’t stop me from starting over. And I’m definitely not letting a marriage hold
