On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 46

Jessica looked straight at Catherine. “What are you trying to say?”

Catherine lowered her gaze, a small, knowing smile on her lips. “I’m just saying that Lance and Amy are their own people. They should be able to decide what they want for themselves. It’s not up to you.”

Amy, munching on her toast, piped up, “Mom Catherine, I’m the one who said I didn’t want the mac and cheese.”

Catherine fell silent, stunned. She shot a look of pure venom at Jessica. “To force a child to lie for you… Jessica Brown, you don’t deserve to be a mother.”

Though she didn’t understand the accusation, Amy spoke up again, her voice firm. “I said I didn’t want it. It has nothing to do with my mommy.”

The words hit Catherine like a physical blow. She had been by Amy’s side for six months. Had that meant less than the three hours Jessica had just spent with her?

Later that afternoon, Jessica got a call from the police station. She told Lance she had to go, and he promised to be at the hospital right away. But Lance got tied up in a meeting, so he asked Catherine to stay with Amy.

“Don’t worry, Lance,” Catherine said sweetly over the phone. “I’ll be here with her. I just brought her some homemade bread, and she ate three whole pieces. You really should have arranged for someone to bring her proper meals.”

Lance frowned. “Isn’t Jessica there?”

“Oh, Jessica is exhausted just watching over Amy,” Catherine said with a sigh. “How could she possibly think about ordering food? Besides, Amy’s stomach is so delicate right now. She needs something clean and simple.”

Lance’s voice softened. “Catherine, I don’t know what I’d do without you. Thank you.”

Catherine laughed lightly. “Just remember how much you owe me, and pay me back later.”

“I will,” Lance promised before hanging up.

Amy bit her lip, the phone’s light reflecting a flicker of terror in her wide eyes.

A little later, Catherine gave Amy her medicine. “You have to be brave and take your medicine so you can fight off the germs.”

Amy nodded and swallowed the pills. Then, Catherine turned the movie back on.

At the police station, Jessica saw George waiting for her. He was leaning against a rugged Jeep, a cigarette held loosely between two fingers resting on the open window frame. The ember glowed and faded in the fading light.

Jessica walked over. “George, I won’t be coming back tonight.”

He looked at her, his expression unreadable. “You forgave him?”