12
While Jackson was showering, I received a call from Connor. He had called dozens of times, each time hanging up without a word. Just as I was about to turn off my phone, Connor called again. I didn’t intend to answer, but I accidentally hit the receive button. Unable to contain myself, I hissed into the phone, “Connor, I don’t have time for your games!”
A moment of silence, then Connor’s voice came through. “Do you like him that much?”
I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
His voice was cold and clear. “You insisted on that riverfront condo because you could see his law firm from there?”
“Yes.”
Actually, it wasn’t. I wanted that riverfront condo because Connor had never set foot there. I needed a place he had never tainted.
Connor suddenly let out a low chuckle. I was on guard. “What’s so funny?”
His voice carried a hint of mockery. “So, you never liked me in the first place, did you? You’ve always liked him, right?”
“I did like you, a long time ago. But now I love Jackson Reed. So please, stop calling me.” I didn’t deny having liked him. Life is like a game of chess; no regrets after a move. I accept every imperfect version of myself.
I hung up, and as I turned, I met Jackson’s chilling gaze. I didn’t know how long he’d been standing there, or how much he’d heard. After a brief silence, I decided to act as if nothing had happened and walked straight toward the bathroom. As I passed him, he suddenly gripped my arm. The next second, he pulled me into the
bed
I was startled. “Jackson, I haven’t showered yet!”
He stared straight at me until my skin prickled all over. Then, he scooped me up and carried me into the bathroom. “No, Jackson, what are you doing?”
“Didn’t you want to shower? I’ll join you.”
I wanted to cry. “But you just showered!”
“I’ll help you.”
When Jackson said he’d help me shower, he truly meant it. He approached the task with the same meticulous detail he applied to his work, missing no corner. Mort- ified, I gave him a weak punch, but he simply pulled me into the bathtub.
I had now truly experienced Jackson Reed’s stamina, and his exquisite proficiency in… certain areas. It was simply astonishing. So much so that I couldn’t get out of bed the next day.
When Mark called, I was using a massage gun to relax my muscles. “Did you hear Connor is getting divorced?”
I paused, a beat late. “He just got married, didn’t he?”
Mark said mysteriously, “Rumor has it, it’s because of you.”
“Wait, I’ll send you a video.”
He sent a video. At the beginning of the video, Chloe, visibly pregnant, walked toward Connor. They were whispering something, inaudible. Chloe reached for Connor‘ !s hand, but he violently shook her off. She stumbled a few steps, barely steadying herself, then picked up a bottle of liquor from the table and began to chug it.
Chapter 2
“Til help you.”
12.30
When Jackson said he’d help me shower, he truly meant it. He approached the task with the same meticulous detail he applied to his work, missing no corner. Mort- ified, I gave him a weak punch, but he simply pulled me into the bathtub.
I had now truly experienced Jackson Reed’s stamina, and his exquisite proficiency in… certain areas. It was simply astonishing. So much so that I couldn’t get out of
bed the next day.
When Mark called, I was using a massage gun to relax my muscles. “Did you hear Connor is getting divorced?”
I paused, a beat late. “He just got married, didn’t he?”
Mark said mysteriously, “Rumor has it, it’s because of you.”
“Wait, I’ll send you a video.”
He sent a video. At the beginning of the video, Chloe, visibly pregnant, walked toward Connor. They were whispering something, inaudible. Chloe reached for Connor‘ s hand, but he violently shook her off. She stumbled a few steps, barely steadying herself, then picked up a bottle of liquor from the table and began to chug it.
“Are you insane!” Connor rushed forward, snatching the bottle, his face green with rage.
Chloe laughed. You still care about me, don’t you?”
Connor’s brows furrowed. “I’ll have the driver take you home.”
“I’m not going home. Not unless you come with me.” Chloe sat on the sofa, clutching her stomach, her face grim, completely ignoring Connor’s friends present in the private room. The chatter in the room gradually died down. No one spoke; they couldn’t leave with the couple making such a scene.
After a long, awkward stalemate, Connor suddenly spoke. “Then let’s get a divorce.” His eyes were weary. “I won’t hold that high school incident against you, as long as you agree to divorce. When the child is born, I’ll give you a sum of money.”
The video ended there. I asked Mark, “What high school incident was he talking about?”
Mark explained, “Remember that photo of Connor and Chloe in the girls‘ restroom? Chloe hired someone to take it.” He tutted. “Tsk, tsk, I never thought. She was only eighteen then, but already so scheming.” He paused. “Don’t even talk about Connor. Even five years ago, if I had met a woman with such tactics, I might not have recognized it either.”
After hanging up, I sat on the balcony for a very long time. The scenes of the past had begun to fade, but some feelings would forever linger in my heart. The truth, though late, thankfully wasn’t buried forever.
