Chapter 82
Jessica paused, glanced sideways at Chris, who wore a smile, as if waiting for an explanation. Jessica felt frustrated inside, knowing Roy couldn’t keep secrets either. She regretted telling Roy anything in the first place. Setting down the bowl, Jessica said to Chris, “There are some things I didn’t want to tell you. They’re all nasty business matters and have nothing to do with you.”
“How could they not?” Chris held her hand. “I’m your husband. Anything related to you is related to me.”
The room had a faint fragrance, though no one knew where it came from. Upon closer sniffing, it seemed like the scent of Jessica’s body wash. Chris hadn’t cared much about such things before, but recently, as their relationship eased and they shared the same bed every day, their scents had almost merged. This was the kind of love he had once begged for but never gotten. Now, it was right in front of him, and he couldn’t help but be moved.
Hearing this, Jessica laughed, broke free from Chris’s hand, and pinched his cheek. “Now you admit you’re my husband? Wasn’t it you who wanted a divorce? Last time in Tesalfield, didn’t you say we were already divorced? Does it not matter anymore?”
“That was said out of anger,” Chris quickly apologized. Jessica was known to hold grudges. No one dared mess with her in the business world; it was only at home that she threw little fits at Chris. Jessica snorted, unsure how to begin.
“You already know about me and Michael’s past. It was just a relationship, nothing like I had to be with him no matter what. If my mom hadn’t stopped me, and if I hadn’t gotten rebellious, it wouldn’t have ended like this. Part of why I got tangled with Michael was because…” Jessica’s expression grew serious as she spoke about her father’s death—a wound for both her and her mother.
“Nina said the business rumors claim my father’s death was related to the Hall family. Could that be true?” Jessica knew exactly who Nina was—her family’s status in business was no less than the Wilder family, and with Roy’s connections, it wasn’t surprising they had heard such things.
Jessica nodded, “Yes, both my mom and I have suspected that. But there’s still no evidence. My dad probably knew some secrets, which led to the accident. I’m still investigating. That’s why I’m willing to cooperate with Roy, as long as he helps me find out the truth about my father’s death.” This was the secret Jessica had carried for many years. Chris had never known.
Looking at Jessica, his heart ached. He pulled her into his arms. “We’ve been together five years, and you never told me.”
Jessica nestled into his embrace, feeling warmth and the same scent as herself. Her voice was muffled, like a child who could never let go—unable to escape the nightmare without the truth. “It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you, but I was afraid you’d worry!” At that moment, the secret between husband and wife was finally revealed. Chris thought of his own mother and felt there was nothing left to hold onto. “Jessica, when I said at the airport that you didn’t understand anything…”
Jessica sat up and looked at him. His eyes were red, and he seemed unsure where to begin. “I haven’t visited my mom in a long time. Are you free to go with me tomorrow?”
Jessica nodded, “I have no secrets from you. From now on, wherever we go or whatever we do, I’ll tell you. Roy said you’re smart, not as fragile as I thought. You can’t always be protected by me. As husband and wife, we should trust each other.”
Chapter 83