Chapter 13
Nadia packed Jason’s luggage, and in return, he’d deliver the supplements to his mother as promised. ‘Fair trade,‘ she thought wryly.
She returned to No. 8 Crest Manor late that night. Just as she reached the gates, her phone lit up with a call from the Blacks, but the line went dead before she could pull over.
Thinking it was a mistake, she shrugged it off and kept driving.
Whenever Jason traveled, Nadia would pack three meticulously coordinated outfits–dark jackets, pale shirts, matching ties, cufflinks, and watches.
She used to agonize and research over details like which buttons struck the perfect balance between prestige and subtlety, all to present the most polished version of him to the world.
Today, she felt nothing. She chose the most basic combinations, zipped the suitcase, and shut the closet without another look.
While locking away her ruby necklace, she noticed some jewelry was missing. She was about to look into it when her phone rang again–another call from the Blacks.
“Mrs. Black, could you come over?” Leigh’s voice shook with tears. “Mrs. Madge Black wanted to take a walk after dinner, but she collapsed.”
“The doctor already came by and recommended a hospital visit,” Leigh said, her words tumbling out in a rush.
“I’m on my way. Don’t panic,” Nadia said, already grabbing her keys.
She drove straight to the Black family estate, tires humming against the quiet road.
Madge was always on supplements, yet still found herself frequently unwell. As the only one in the family with a flexible schedule, Nadia was usually the first person Leigh turned to, whether it was for something serious or trivial.
At the gate, Leigh stood waiting, her eyes red and puffy. “After you and Mr. Black left that night, she couldn’t sleep. She felt off the next day but brushed it off as an old ailment. And now this…”
Guilt clawed at Nadia’s chest, and she couldn’t help but think if she hadn’t argued with Jason and had just stayed, maybe none of this would’ve happened.
As the daughter–in–law of the Black family, it had been her duty to look after the household. Soon, however, that wouldn’t be her responsibility, and Jason would have to handle things independently.
As that thought crossed her mind, she dialed Jason’s number, but it went straight to voicemail. His phone was off.
‘Of course, he and Abby were probably tucked in for the night, Nadia thought. ‘No room for interruptions, I suppose.
Leigh stepped aside as the doctor emerged from the room. Nadia quickly approached him. “How is my mother–in–law?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.
“The patient’s stabie for now,” the doctor said, his brow furrowed as he stepped out. “But we’re still unsure of the cause of her fainting spells. She’ll need further testing.”
Nadia’s heart sank.
She escorted the doctor to his car. “Any idea what might be wrong?”
“I’d rather not speculate,” he replied. “Just get her admitted as soon as possible.”
Asense of foreboding settled over Nadia, clinging to her like a shadow she couldn’t shake.
Madge eventually stirred, her face pale, and reached out weakly. “I heard there’s a treatment overseas that could help Pat.”
A wave of guilt tightened in Nadia’s chest. She stayed with Madge, coaxing her to agree to go to the hospital, and didn’t leave
her side.
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Chapter 13
At 3 a.m., Madge finally fell into a restless sleep.
Nadia watched over her, her heart heavy. Madge had always been kind, no matter what happened between her and Jason. Divorce wouldn’t change her duty to Madge.
She dozed off beside her, but a soft touch on her hair woke her. “Mom?” Nadia murmured, blinking awake.
“You’ve had a long night,” Madge said gently.
“I’ll help you freshen up,” Nadia offered, her voice steady despite the exhaustion.
Still in her tailored workwear, with her light makeup intact despite the sleepless night, Nadia looked different–sharper, more composed.
Madge studied her carefully. “Don’t pour everything into Jason. Take care of yourself. Dress like this more often. Give him some pressure.”
Nadia smiled quietly to herself. ‘A man like him doesn’t feel pressure. He only creates it, she thought.
Jason’s name lit up her screen just as she reached for the towel. Without hesitation, she declined the call and turned back to Madge, gently wiping her face as if nothing had happened.
“Was that Jason?” Madge asked. “If you two have plans, don’t worry about me.”
“It’s fine,” Nadia replied flatly. “Let him wait.”
Only after tending to Madge did she finally return his call.
Jason’s voice roared through the phone, seething with fury. “Nadia! Have you lost your mind?”
She flinched, nearly dropping the phone. ‘Where the hell is this coming from?‘ she thought, her grip tightening as if bracing for a storm she didn’t summon.
Forcing a calm smile for Madge, she stepped out of the room. “What is your problem?”
“You call this packing?” he snapped, his voice like frost. “What is this–some kind of joke to you?”
When Jason checked his suitcase, there was no neck massager, no heated eye masks—the usual sleep aids, even if he rarely used them. Their absence spoke volumes.
Worse still, the three outfits she’d packed were nearly identical, and even the ties were indistinguishable. It didn’t just feel careless. It felt deliberate, like Nadia couldn’t be bothered to care anymore.
“Redo it. Now,” Jason bellowed into the phone.
“I can’t,” Nadia said firmly. “I’m taking care of-” But Jason cut her off before she could finish.
“Oh? Let me guess–your brother again?” he snapped, his tone vicious. “Didn’t you just beg me for help yesterday? Changed your mind overnight? Or maybe you never planned to divorce me in the first place?”
His arrogance cracked something inside her. She swallowed hard, steeling herself.
Her voice came out clear, cold. “It’s not my brother this time. It’s your mother. She fainted. Her condition is stable, for now.” The line fell silent.
“Mr. Black is too busy for family emergencies,” Nadia added coolly. “Let’s hope your phone is on next time. Or you’ll regret it when help arrives too late.”
Last time, Madge had been vomiting violently, and Leigh had called her in a panic. Nadia rushed back from a shopping trip and contacted the estate manager, giving permission to enter their apartment and shut off her stove.
They ignored her, so Jason arrived at home to find the kitchen filled with smoke and the sprinklers triggered.
When she returned, he had called her brainless and hurling all kinds of insults at her in front of everyone. After that incident, even the neighbor’s dog barked at her whenever they met.
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12:57 PM
Chapter 18
Jason’s voice was calmer this time. “I won’t turn it off again. You can reach me anytime.”
She didn’t waste time trying to decipher his tone. Even if he realized he’d misjudged her, it wouldn’t change the appalling attitude he’d just shown.
Nadia looked up, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I’m taking Mom to the hospital.”
After hanging up the phone, she feared Madge would notice, so she intentionally yawned as she entered the room, hoping to pass off the redness in her eyes as normal fatigue.
When Jason arrived, Nadia pulled him aside. “We should speak to the chief physician first.”
He brushed her off and handed his jacket to Austin. “Another tantrum about assets? This really isn’t the time or place.”
Nadia opened her mouth to respond, but stopped when she saw a scratch on his arm. ‘Passionate night, huh? Must’ve really enjoyed it, she thought.
Nadia exhaled. “There are things we need to be clear about.”
Jason rolled his eyes and kept walking, but Nadia’s voice cut through the air behind him after a pause: “The doctor recommended further tests.”
He stopped, irritated. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not the doctor. I’m just relaying the message. You decide how to proceed.” Nadia’s gaze was icy. “I’ve already given Leigh the prescription and admission papers. As for the divorce, my lawyer will contact you.”
Jason stared at her, speechless.
Since the day she asked for a divorce, there had been no warmth from her–only a cold indifference that verged on contempt and disdain.
His chest tightened, his breath growing shallow. His temper, barely contained, threatened to erupt at any moment.
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