On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 88

For one, a child wouldn't understand. For another, shattering a child's worldview would only make Jessica seem like the villain, the one who spoke ill of others behind their backs.

A wave of defeat washed over her. "Things between adults are very complicated."

"Why are they complicated?" Amy asked. "If you like someone, you can be friends. It's the same for us kids. I don't think it's complicated at all. You're just putting me off, Mommy."

Jessica didn't answer.

"Is it because Daddy likes Mom Catherine, so they're good friends, but you don't like her, so you don't want to be her friend? And you don't want Daddy to be her friend either? Is that it?"

Jessica felt a wave of exhaustion. She stroked her daughter's cheek. "Marriage requires loyalty. When a man gets married, he has to keep a certain distance from other women. If he can't, it can hurt his family."

Amy didn't understand. The concept was completely foreign to her. If you liked someone, you played with them. What was so wrong with that?

Jessica said no more.

When they arrived back at the Kensington estate, Lance was already home, sitting on the sofa with a laptop on his knees. As they walked in, his fingers paused on the trackpad. He picked up a tube of ointment from the coffee table and tossed it to Jessica.

"Ointment," he said flatly. "For your ankle."

Karen, the housekeeper, smiled. "Mrs. Smith, look how much Mr. Smith cares for you. He even took the time to bring you medicine."

Jessica caught the tube but simply placed it back on the table. The small act made Lance look up, his calm gaze fixing on her with clear displeasure.

Karen later recounted the entire incident to Susan Lane. The old woman sighed heavily. "Why are those two so stubborn? Can't one of them just bend a little for the other? This is just ridiculous."

Karen remained silent.

"You've been with me for years," Susan said. "Go on, say what's on your mind."

Karen lowered her voice. "Mr. Smith didn't come back until this morning. His clothes were all wrinkled. And when Ms. Catherine came to give Amy a gift today, her neck and chest were… covered in love bites. It was quite embarrassing to see."

Susan's eyes narrowed instantly. "How could that be?"