From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 12

Autumn looked at Jessie, still puzzled. “Jessie, what happened? How did you miss the stairs like that?”

Jessie kept her gaze down, her voice soft and gentle. “Maybe I just didn’t sleep well last night. Mom, I’m really okay. Please don’t worry about me.”

Adam’s brow stayed tight with concern, but he didn’t ask any more questions.

Peter glanced at Jessie with gratitude. She always knew how to ease the tension.

Adam turned his attention to Juliana, who stood awkwardly in the doorway. “Juliana, why are you here?”

Juliana had left the Goff family years ago. Seeing her here now, after so long, felt strange.

She gave a nervous laugh. “My daughter’s pregnant and can’t come see Jessie herself, so I came instead. I hope that’s alright, Ms. Goff. I’m sorry for dropping by like this.”

Peter cut in, his tone rough. “Okay, if there’s nothing else, you can head back.”

Autumn’s cheeks went red at the thought of having a housekeeper as an in-law. “Yes, just tell your daughter to rest and not cause any trouble.”

Juliana rubbed her hands together, clearly uneasy.

Jessie gave her a gentle smile. “Thank you for coming, Juliana. I’m fine, really. That was thoughtful of you.”

Juliana left, pausing in the hallway as if she didn’t want to go.

After that, Peter told his mother and the others to head home. He would stay and look after Jessie himself.

When everyone was gone, Peter sat beside Jessie, his face serious as he took her hand. “Jessie, thank you. I know today was hard on you.”

He hesitated, searching her eyes. “But why did you go to Juliana’s house? And why would Eleanor push you?”

Jessie shook her head and spoke softly, trying to reassure him. “Peter, Eleanor is pregnant now. She’s probably still upset with me. She said she wants to take back the gene patent license, so I went to talk to her. I didn’t expect things to go so badly between us.”

She let out a quiet sigh. “I just didn’t realize she misunderstood me so much…”

Something dark flashed in Peter’s eyes. He squeezed her hand tighter. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you go through this alone. You don’t deserve any of this.”

Eleanor had crossed a line, and he wasn’t going to let it go.

Out in the garden at the Clarkson house, flames snapped and crackled in the small brazier by the door. Eleanor tossed in more things, her movements sharp and quick. She had left in such a rush before, she hadn’t had time to pack properly. Today, she decided to burn it all.

Suddenly, Olga charged back into the garden, cheeks red, eyes blazing.

“You’re a bad mom! Did you push Aunt Jessie?” she demanded, her voice shaking.

“You sent her to the hospital! You’re horrible!”

She dropped her armful of toys on the ground—all the birthday presents Eleanor had picked out for her, year after year.

But Olga wasn’t done. She stomped on the toys, her little shoes thudding against the plastic.

“I hate you, Mom! I don’t want your presents! Take them back!”

“I don’t want you to be my mom anymore!”

Eleanor’s hands curled into fists, a numb ache spreading through her chest. She was almost used to that kind of pain by now.

Her voice was barely a whisper. “Alright. Then I won’t be.”