Chapter 17
Jacob’s eyes, so much like Brian’s, immediately turned glassy as he stared at Jessica.
He thought, Mom left me here all night and she wouldn’t even make the corn chowder I wanted. And now she doesn’t even care about my injury and blames me for being dramatic? My leg really hurts. Why can’t I be in the hospital?”
His longing for Jessica was instantly replaced by anger. “No one asked you to take care of me. I’m in the hospital and Maddie and Dad are looking after me.
Jessica’s face was blank. Jacob kept staring at her. Before, whenever he mentioned Madeline, Jessica would always show some sort of reaction. But now, it was different.
Out of nowhere, Jacob started feeling really wronged and muttered resentfully, “I got hurt. Why didn’t you come to the hospital to take care of me? What kind of mom does that?”
Jessica let out a cold laugh. Even the tone he used, acting like it was all her fault, was exactly like Brian’s. She thought, ‘So being a mom means I just owe them everything?
She walked past Jacob, ready to leave.
Jacob’s composure shattered. He shouted, “You’re not allowed to leave. Mom, you can’t leave.”
Jessica ignored him completely and walked forward–only to run right into Brian and the others.
Brian’s eyes were stony as he picked up the crying Jacob. His gaze was cold as ice. “Jessica, you really are heartless.”
“Jessi, what did Jake even do to deserve this?” Madeline said, her face full of sympathy as she stood beside Brian. He was holding Jacob in his arms and the three of them looked exactly like a perfect little family.
Jessica could easily see what Madeline was trying to do, but she no longer had the energy to care.
“Even if Jake did something wrong, he’s still just a kid. He doesn’t know any better. And as his mother, why can’t you be more forgiving with him?” Madeline glanced at Jacob and questioned Jessica.
Jacob pouted. He was already feeling hurt, and after hearing Madeline’s words, he felt even more wronged.
He thought, Maddie’s right. I didn’t do anything wrong. I just like spending time with her more. It’s Mom who’s being petty and taking it out on
me:
Seeing Jacob cry, Madeline started tearing up pretentiously too. “Jessi, how could you be this cruel?”
With that, she stood firmly on Brian’s side. The three of them glared at Jessica like they were all on the same team and she was their enemy.
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Jessica’s mouth. “If you’re all so kind, then how’d you let a little kid run loose down a hospital hallway?”
If she hadn’t gotten out of the elevator just in time, Jacob probably would’ve already taken it down by himself.
She turned to leave, but a nurse came running down the hall. “Ms. Grant, your medication.” The plastic bag she held was almost stuffed full. It clearly wasn’t cold medicine.
Brian’s eyes narrowed. He set Jacob down and looked like he was about to walk over to Jessica. His voice was low and husky. “You’re sick?”
Jessica hadn’t planned to respond, but she didn’t want him to go to the doctor and ask about her condition.
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