On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 80

“I have a family, my kid’s starting first grade this year, I just wanted to make a little extra money, I was wrong…” he pleaded.

Jessica sighed. “Just go. I won’t report you.”

The man’s eyes lit up with relief, but he looked nervously at George, waiting for the final verdict.

George gave a slight wave of his hand, and the man scrambled away as fast as his legs could carry him.

George crouched down and picked up the ointment. He glanced at the label in the moonlight, then his deep gaze settled on Jessica. “What happened?”

“I slipped in the bathroom,” she said, embarrassed. “Twisted my ankle.”

“Come here,” he said, his brow furrowed.

Jessica didn’t move. “It’s getting late. I should go back.”

Without another word, George strode over, scooped her into his arms, and carried her as if she weighed nothing. The world spun for a moment, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. He set her down gently on a nearby stone bench.

Then he knelt in front of her. “Let me see.”

The thought of another man touching her foot made Jessica flush. “No, it’s fine, really. I’ll just put some of this on when I get inside. It’ll be better by morning.”

George didn’t move. “This kind of ointment needs to be massaged in firmly. Is your husband home?”

Jessica pressed her lips together. “I can do it myself.”

“You think you can get enough leverage bent over like that?” he asked.

She had no answer for that.

He knelt on one knee, gently lifted her foot, slipped off her shoe, and rested it on his own knee. This felt wrong. Very wrong. She might be divorcing Lance, but she was still a married woman. If anyone saw them, it would be terrible for George’s reputation.

A pained whimper escaped her. “That hurts. Can you be a little gentler?” Her voice was soft, almost pleading.

A humorless chuckle escaped him. “It hurts? Then bear it.”

Jessica pouted. This man was impossible.

Just then, the bright headlights of a car swept across the path. Jessica squinted against the glare. Before she could make out the license plate, George swiftly pulled her up and behind a large decorative rockery, shielding them from view. Her heart hammered against her ribs. This was bad. What had been an innocent moment now felt like a clandestine affair.

As her mind raced, a car door opened. A figure stepped out into the light.

Jessica’s eyes widened. It was Catherine Brown, stumbling out of the passenger side. A moment later, Lance got out of the driver’s seat. Catherine looked unsteady on her feet, nearly tripping as she walked.

Lance took her arm to steady her. “I’ll walk you to your door.”