On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 78

Jessica offered a polite smile.

“She’s been away on a long trip,” Lance said smoothly from beside her.

Jessica looked at him in surprise, not expecting him to cover for her.

He suddenly reached out and plucked a fallen petal from her hair.

“Mr. and Mrs. Smith have such a wonderful relationship,” the other nanny said with a knowing smile. “But of course, they’ve known each other since they were children.”

Feeling awkward, Jessica moved to sit on a nearby stone bench.

Lance sat across from her. “You used to do your homework right here,” he said, his voice softer than she’d heard it in a long time. “Your brothers would stand over you with fans to keep the mosquitoes away. Your skin was so sensitive; they couldn’t stand to see you get bitten. And I was the one who helped you with your assignments.”

Her mind drifted back to that time. Her mother was still alive. Her father hadn't changed. Her brothers had adored her. Even Lance had treated her like a cherished little sister. That life, she realized, now existed only in her memories.

“That was before any of you knew Catherine Brown,” she said flatly.

The mention of Catherine’s name made Lance’s tone shift. “Jessica, you’re prejudiced against her. If you got to know her, you’d see that she’s an exceptional, capable, and frankly, very pitiable girl.”

A strange, humorless smile touched her lips. “And I’m supposed to love her like you all do? Hand over my heart on a silver platter?”

He frowned. “I’m trying to have a real conversation about Catherine, but you always have to be so sarcastic.”

Jessica gritted her teeth against the pain and managed to get Amy into her pajamas. “Sweetie, you go on ahead. Mommy’s foot hurts a little. I just need a minute to rest.”

Amy padded out of the bathroom in her slippers, her little voice piping up, “Daddy! Daddy! Mommy fell down!” She ran into the study. “Daddy, Mommy’s foot has a big bump! She slipped! You have to come save her!”

Lance’s brow furrowed. He stood up without hesitation and found the first-aid kit, pulling out a tube of medicated cream. He was heading for the bathroom when his phone rang. He walked back to his desk to answer it.

It was Catherine’s number, but the voice on the other end was a stranger’s. “Mr. Smith? Is that you? Catherine is at the bar, she’s had too much to drink. A couple of rich punks have their eyes on her and they’re trying to make her leave with them. We can’t stop them…”

Lance’s expression changed. “I’m on my way.”

He hung up, tossing the tube of cream onto his desk. Catherine’s situation was more urgent. Jessica had already fallen; a little delay in applying some cream wouldn’t matter. Catherine could be in real danger. He grabbed his car keys and left.