On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 185

“Can I invest?” Jessica asked. “We can split it fifty-fifty, or you can take sixty and I’ll take forty.”

Rebecca laughed softly. “Is the princess finally ready to step out of her ivory tower and see the world?”

“Princess?” Jessica said, embarrassed. “I’m worse off than a beggar right now.”

“It’s a deal, then,” Rebecca said. “Assuming we can pull it off. The price is right, and a lot of people have their eyes on this juicy prize.”

Jessica took a deep breath, a hopeful feeling swelling in her chest. This company felt promising. “Alright, let’s both do our best to raise the funds,” she said optimistically.

Rebecca agreed.

Just as Jessica was about to call Aaron James to hurry the payment along, Lance walked in with a late-night snack.

Amy was already asleep.

“Amy’s sleeping,” Jessica whispered.

“I know,” Lance replied. “This is for you.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Lance’s hand froze as he was setting the food down. “I haven’t eaten either. Not a single bite since this afternoon.”

Jessica found it amusing. “Your mouth is on your own face. If you wanted to eat, was someone holding it shut for you?”

A flicker of loneliness crossed his eyes. “You never used to be like this with me, Jessica.”

It was true. In the past, she would have been worried sick if he’d even missed a single meal, let alone starved himself for an afternoon.

Jessica looked at him, a half-smile on her face as he seemed to be reminiscing. “The old Lance Smith never threw me into a mental institution for another woman, either.”

His face hardened. “Even if we’re divorced, you’re still Amy’s mother. I won’t stand by and watch you get scammed into homelessness.”

Jessica stared at him, speechless, a faint trace of hatred in her eyes.

Suddenly, her phone rang. She pulled it out, expecting Rebecca, but saw George’s name on the screen. She quickly answered.

“Are you coming back?” George asked.

“What’s wrong?” she asked in a hushed tone.

George’s was faintly even a bit aggrieved. “I’m hungry.”

Jessica let out a small laugh.

Lance, who had just opened the takeout container, instinctively looked over. He caught a glimpse of a familiar, radiant smile. Her eyes curved into crescents, the corners of her mouth lifted naturally, and a tiny sparkle danced at the ends of her lashes, like crushed starlight.