They Want Me Back When It's Too Late

1.Chapter 1 Her Regret

In the empty room, Jessica Atkinson held a paintbrush in her hand, listening to her mother's weary voice over the phone.

Stella Grant said, "Jessi, have you thought about what we talked about last time? Your grandfather's seriously ill. You're the only child your dad and I have. Are you really still not coming home to take over the company?"

In the dim light, Jessica added the final stroke to a painting of a family of three.

Just as Stella thought she'd failed to convince her daughter again, Jessica suddenly spoke, "Okay."

Stella froze, clearly caught off guard. "Y-you're saying yes?"

"Yes." Jessica's voice was calm. "I'll do it. But I need some time to wrap things up here. I'll be back in 15 days."

After a few more words, she ended the call.

Jessica stepped out of the room and looked down at the three people in the living room.

Her eyes landed on the man sitting on the couch—Brian Atkinson. His features were striking, sharp without being harsh.

He had a quiet, restrained kind of presence. His shirt and slacks were perfectly tailored, the collar buttoned all the way to the top. He looked every bit the picture of elegance and control.

This was Jessica's husband, the man she had insisted on marrying even though it meant turning down her family's arrangement and cutting ties with them.

In Hartdale, Brian held tremendous power and was always serious and distant. People around him saw him as cold and untouchable, yet now he was speaking to another woman in a gentle tone.

Beside them, a boy around five years old with delicate features, Jacob Atkinson, threw himself into the woman's arms. Blinking his wide eyes, he said sweetly, "Maddie, I want fish casserole. Will you make it for me?"

Madeline Houghton tapped his nose with a fond smile. "Of course."

Jacob's eyes lit up, clearly thrilled. He remarked, "Maddie, you're the best. Not like my mom—she never lets me eat too much." As he spoke, he even pouted a little.

Madeline smiled and gently coaxed him, "Then you've got to eat a little extra today, Jake."

Jacob nodded with a warm chuckle. "Maddie, I wish you were my real mom."

Madeline's smile deepened.

Upstairs, Jessica felt a dull ache in her chest. She always thought kids tended to overeat when they liked something. She only watched Jacob's diet because she didn't want him to get sick. That was all.

Jessica didn't feel like watching any longer. That was her husband and her son, but somehow, the three of them looked more like a real family. She was the one who seemed out of place.

She turned around and went back into the room.

Not long after, footsteps came from outside. Madeline walked in. Her makeup was flawless, her smile gentle. "Jessi, come downstairs with me. Let's celebrate Jake's birthday together."

Madeline used to be Jessica's intern. She came from a poor background and was barely competent.

Jessica had once listened to Madeline cry about her past, saying that if she still couldn't find a job, she would have no choice but to go back to her hometown and get married.

Jessica had felt sorry for her and brought her into the company. She never imagined she'd end up bringing in the very woman who would destroy her family.

Madeline had studied her, mimicked her, and tried to take her place—to become the new Mrs. Atkinson. By the time Jessica realized it, Madeline had already made her way into the household, getting along perfectly with her husband and son.

Jessica had long seen through the mask Madeline wore and had hated herself for bringing trouble into her own home. Jessica said coldly, "I'm not feeling well. I'm not going."

Madeline spoke with feigned innocence, "Jessi, you're Jake's mom. It would mean a lot to him if you said happy birthday to him."

Jessica frowned, about to turn her down again. But then something crossed her mind, and she let out a sigh.

She figured this was between her and Madeline. Jacob was still just a child who shouldn't be affected by it. As his mother, Jessica felt it was only right to wish him a happy birthday.

With that thought, she set down her paintbrush and walked downstairs, brushing past Madeline's shoulder, completely ignoring her.

For a split second, Madeline's smile froze. A flicker of malice passed through her eyes, but she quickly followed after.

When Jessica saw Brian and Jacob, she paused.

Ten years ago, she'd joined the Atkinson Group to challenge herself and met Brian there. They'd fought, teased, and fallen into marriage. She had rejected her family's carefully laid plans and insisted on marrying Brian, even cutting ties with them to do it.

For the past ten years, she'd never once regretted her decision. Her husband was rich, handsome, and he treated her well. Their son was smart and adorable. She had once truly believed she had a happy life.

But then, Jessica looked at Madeline, who was smiling attentively as she served food to Brian and Jacob. Madeline's presence had changed everything that once felt so perfect.

Jessica silently picked up her fork to eat, but then a wave of nausea hit her. She quickly put the fork down and rushed to the bathroom, gagging over the sink.

Brian stood up, looking concerned, about to follow her, but Madeline stopped him in a flurry of panic.

She clutched his sleeve, her eyes wide with worry. "Mr. Atkinson, what's going on with Jessi?"

Brian spoke gently, trying to reassure her, "She's been like this lately. It's nothing. Don't worry."

After saying that, he turned to look at Jessica and sneered coldly, "What's the excuse this time? A cold? Or is the food at home not good enough?"

Jessica didn't respond. She wiped the corner of her mouth with a tissue and thought, 'If I said I was pregnant, would they even believe me?

'Forget it. I'm leaving soon anyway. Why bother telling them? No need to ruin the sweet little bond between my husband and his mistress.'

Even as a secretary, Madeline still dared to chide her boss, speaking in a syrupy tone, "Mr. Atkinson, don't say that about Jessi. Maybe she really isn't feeling well. She's lost a lot of weight lately."

Then she stood up, made a cup of hot chamomile tea, and handed it to Jessica. "Jessi, are you okay? Here, have some chamomile tea."

Still nauseous and not wanting to see Madeline's face, Jessica grew irritated and pushed her away.

She hadn't even used much force, but Madeline let herself fall with the motion, and the hot chamomile tea spilled onto her own hand.

"Ow!" Madeline cried out.

"Maddie," Brian and Jacob called out at the same time. They instantly rushed to her side, their eyes full of concern as they looked at her hand which was scalded red.

Jacob's eyes welled with tears, feeling sorry for her. "Maddie, does it hurt a lot?"

Madeline forced a smile and tried to look strong. "It's okay, Jake. I was just being careless. It doesn't hurt."

Brian glared at Jessica, his eyes blazing. His voice was like ice. "What are you trying to pull now?"

Jessica was overwhelmed with sadness and disappointment. She caught the smug look in Madeline's eyes, then saw her own son standing in front of Madeline like a little protector. Jessica shut her eyes in despair and said, "I didn't do anything."

But Brian didn't believe her. When the family doctor arrived, Brian helped Madeline sit down, letting her lean against his chest. There was disappointment in his deep-set eyes as well.

He said accusingly, "Jessi, you've changed. You were never the kind of person to do something like this out of jealousy."

Jessica thought, 'I've changed? Yeah, I have.'

Ten years ago, she wouldn't have had stretch marks from childbirth. Her skin wouldn't have gone dull from staying up all night.

And she definitely wouldn't have quit her job and become a housewife just because of Brian's words—only to be replaced by another woman.

Jessica suddenly felt exhausted. She held back the explanation she almost gave and turned to head upstairs.

Right before entering her room, she looked back down at the chaotic scene below and gave one last glance at the husband and son she had once loved with everything she had.

Brian and Jacob were still the same, hovering around Madeline, the three of them tangled up like they couldn't bear to be apart.

Jessica gave a bitter smile and shook her head. Then she gently touched her belly and set a countdown on her phone. Without a trace of hesitation, she turned and went back into the room.

From this moment on, she wouldn't disturb them again.

2.Chapter 2 She Was Done Playing Along

The noise outside gradually faded. Jessica didn't bother to check what was going on out there. With her earplugs and sleep mask on, she slept straight through to morning.

Since she'd already decided to return and claim her inheritance, she had to resign from Atkinson Group.

After giving birth to Jacob, she had rarely shown up at the company. But back when Brian had taken over the family business, she had been right there beside him, helping him build everything from the ground up.

Atkinson Group's rise to the number-one spot in the country had a lot to do with her. So even though she didn't come in regularly, she still received a generous annual bonus and profit share.

Early in the morning, Jessica looked at herself in the mirror. Her thick, wavy hair framed a flawless face. She was stunning, but her eyes carried no light.

She had always been beautiful. Even after becoming a stay-at-home mom, even after all the sleepless nights and labor, her looks had barely changed.

But the morning sickness, the emotional strain, and the cold treatment from her family had taken their toll. Her eyes were dull, lifeless—like fish washed up on the shore.

On the top floor of Atkinson Group, Jessica was waiting for her resignation papers to be printed.

Just then, a few employees behind her started chatting, their voices drifting into earshot.

One said, "Did you see Madeline's Instagram post?"

Another asked, "No, what did she post this time?"

Someone else added, "She posted a bunch of stuff. Looks like she was throwing someone a birthday party. You should check it out."

They were laughing as they teased each other, but when they looked up and saw Jessica, their smiles froze.

One of them gasped, "Ms. Grant?"

Another asked, "Ms. Grant, what brings you here to the office?"

Jessica gave a casual nod. As soon as the employees finished greeting her, they dashed away in a hurry. More whispers followed as they left.

Someone sneered, "What a buzzkill. What's the executive secretary Jessica doing back here at the company?"

Another said sarcastically, "She's already the CEO's wife. What's the point of showing off in front of us?"

Someone else snorted, "I don't think Mr. Atkinson's that close to her anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if they're getting a divorce."

Jessica didn't react. She had never been popular in the company and had long gotten used to this kind of talk.

If she hadn't gone through so much workplace bullying in the past—if Brian hadn't stepped in and helped her so many times—she wouldn't have fallen for him to begin with.

Bored from waiting, Jessica opened Instagram on her phone. The first thing that popped up was a nine-photo post from Madeline.

The first image was taken at Jacob's birthday party last night. The decorations were extravagant, and the giant three-tier cake in the center was impossible to miss.

What caught Jessica's eye was a photo taken in a hospital. Three hands, all different sizes, stacked on top of each other—it looked so warm and loving.

Jessica thought, 'It was just a burn. Why'd they go to the hospital again?'

She found it ridiculous and scrolled through the comments. Most of them were full of envy and well-wishes.

One comment read: [Wow, a birthday party for the little one? Looks so happy.]

Another joked: [Showing off again—so who's your husband anyway? Not gonna show your bestie?]

Someone else wrote: [No matter what happens, as long as the family's together, that's what really matters.]

Jessica was speechless. She knew Madeline had posted those on purpose, just to get under her skin and push her into snapping at Brian.

If it had been before, Jessica really wouldn't have been able to stand this pretentious act, watching her own husband and son leave her at home to care for a woman who had done nothing but poorly imitate her from the start.

But now that she was about to leave, she naturally didn't care anymore.

Jessica gave a dry smile and tapped the screen lightly to give the post a like.

After getting her resignation papers, Jessica went straight to the CEO's office and handed them to Brian's current personal assistant.

The people in the Secretary's Office, just like the ones who had been whispering earlier, looked down on her for showing up as if she were trying to brag. But the moment they saw the resignation papers, they gasped in shock.

Someone asked, "I-I didn't read that wrong, did I?"

"Ms. Grant is quitting?" another exclaimed.

The assistant froze, visibly panicked. "M-Ma'am, Mr. Atkinson is in a very important meeting right now. Maybe we should wait and let him have a look at these until he's done."

"No need. I'm just a figurehead executive secretary. You have the authority to process this. No need to bother him," Jessica said with a light smile.

People around them sighed under their breath.

"Is the rumor true? Jessica and Mr. Atkinson are getting a divorce? And the other woman is Madeline?"

"Why Madeline? Doesn't she have a family?"

"Are you dumb? Did you even see that Instagram post? That hand is clearly Mr. Atkinson's. Who else in Hartdale could wear a Rolex that expensive?"

"Exactly. Didn't you notice Madeline took over all of Jessica's work after she went on maternity leave?"

"Now that Jessica's quitting, maybe she's handing the position over."

Jessica knew exactly how nosy these people were. In the past, hearing things like this would've crushed her. She would've curled up in bed at night, crying quietly under the covers.

But now, she suddenly realized that once she let it go, none of it really mattered.

She smiled at everyone like she couldn't hear a word and said, "Thank you all for your hard work these past ten years. I hope Atkinson Group continues to thrive for many more to come."

Everyone fell silent in embarrassment. Only then did Jessica return to her desk and begin packing up everything she'd accumulated over the years.

She had worked here for ten years, and her workspace was filled to the brim with books she'd bought when she first started out and notes she'd taken while learning to understand Brian as his secretary.

On one page, it clearly said: "1. He needs a cup of hand-ground coffee every morning. 2. He hates being late. 3. He doesn't allow any woman to wear perfume around him."

There were many notes like that. Every single one of them had been built with Jessica's effort.

She had poured so much into doing her job as a secretary well, but people always assumed the role was just a man's plaything—that all it took was a body, not a brain.

Only Brian had seen her working late into the night—reviewing contracts, building presentations, digging into the background on every competitor of Atkinson Group, and reciting business reports like they were second nature.

It was because she worked hard enough that someone as untouchable as Brian had come down from his pedestal to get close to her.

Jessica had once believed Brian was the one person who truly understood her. She was wrong. After ten years, all those memories and feelings had turned to dust.

She focused on packing her things. Just then, the meeting ended, and Madeline walked out first.

She had been beaming, but the moment she saw Jessica, her smile froze. Madeline thought, 'Why is Jessica here? Did she see my Instagram post? Is she here to lose it on me?

Just thinking about it made her excited. She went back to her desk, restless, waiting for the storm to hit. On the outside, though, she kept her head down, her eyes turning red, like she'd just been horribly wronged.

Brian was the last to walk out. As he passed the Secretary's Office, he saw Jessica there at the office.

Her desk was the closest to his office, a setup that once symbolized her status and their past affection.

But now, just the sight of her annoyed him especially when she looked like she was in a good mood, flipping through a book with a faint smile on her face.

Right next to her, Madeline sat with her head down, looking dejected, quietly dabbing at her tears with a tissue.

Brian frowned, tapped the corner of Jessica's desk, and ordered, "Come in."

Jessica looked up, calm and composed. "Okay."

Once she stepped inside, Brian got straight to the point. "The company doesn't need you right now. If there's no special reason, don't come to Atkinson Group again."

3.Chapter 3 Mrs. Atkinson

Jessica froze. No matter how many times she'd been disappointed by Brian, every time she heard his cold tone, it still felt like a knife stabbing straight into her chest.

Her eyes lowered, and the smile on her face disappeared. "Okay."

Brian had expected Jessica to lash out, but he hadn't thought she'd give in so easily. Only then did he actually look at her.

He noticed Madeline was right—Jessica really had lost a lot of weight lately.

He thought, 'Maybe Jessica really was throwing up last night because she wasn't feeling well. Maybe she wasn't being jealous in front of Madeline after all.'

His lips pressed together, and his tone softened slightly. "Madeline's been doing your job well. Your focus now should be taking care of Jake. I've explained this to you so many times—there's nothing between me and her.

"Jessi, stop making trouble. Don't make me regret choosing you to be my wife."

Jessica thought, 'Regret? I regret it too. I really regret giving up my family's business just to become this so-called Mrs. Atkinson. The Grant family has real status. Grant Group is powerful. I could've gone back and been the heiress everyone doted on instead.'

Jessica closed her eyes and calmly pulled out her resignation letter. Her tone was polite but distant. "Mr. Atkinson, then please go ahead and approve this. I'll officially resign starting tomorrow."

With that, she turned to leave. But just as she reached the door, Brian grabbed her arm.

"Jessica?" Brian sounded surprised, as if he hadn't fully processed what was happening. Holding the resignation in one hand, he instinctively reached out and caught her.

He stared at her signature on the resignation letter. His face darkened as he held back a surge of anger. "You're doing this to spite me? I thought you came today to make peace, but now you're taking it even further?"

"No, Mr. Atkinson. You said Atkinson Group didn't need me, and it just so happens—I feel the same." Jessica kept her gaze lowered, her thick lashes trembling slightly. "It's been ten years. Atkinson Group isn't what it used to be.

"Since everyone clearly loves Madeline, I figured I might as well step down now instead of holding a position and collecting a paycheck for doing nothing."

Brian let out a cold laugh. His eyes were sharp, like he could see straight through her excuse. "Don't use the past ten years to guilt me. I know Atkinson Group wouldn't be what it is today without you. You were a great employee.

"But Jessica, ever since you had the baby, you haven't been involved in any business matters. I've been nothing but considerate. All you have to do is take care of our son, and you'll always be the lady of Atkinson Group.

"You can't even handle something this simple, and now you say you're stepping aside? All you're doing is putting Madeline in a difficult position. Jessica, I know you too well. You're calculating, but don't be cruel. Since last night, have you even apologized to Maddie?"

Jessica thought, 'Apologize? I'm supposed to apologize to the woman who wrecked my home? Shouldn't she be the one thanking me?'

Suddenly, Jessica let out a laugh and looked at Brian with a hint of curiosity. "Yes, I'm cruel. Mr. Atkinson, have you never considered giving up?"

The kind of giving up she meant was divorce.

Over the past few years, whenever Brian and Jessica fought, she brought up divorce again and again, and every time it ended in an ugly stalemate.

Brian had never agreed. In his eyes, even if he cheated, Jessica was still his wife.

That was always how it was with Brian—domineering and controlling, a man who held power over all of Hartdale.

As for Jessica, at the beginning, she hadn't really meant to leave. She had been acting out, like Brian said, hoping he'd actually care more about her.

But now, she was tired. She was fine with getting a divorce and going their separate ways. She even thought about the kids. They could each take one, and that would be that.

Brian's face darkened, his grip on her arm tightening like he could snap her in half. "This is your last chance, Jessica. If you mess up again, I won't hesitate to find Jake a new mom.

"Do you know how many times he's complained to me he has no joy or freedom living with you? Why are you such a failure as both a wife and a mother?"

The word "failure" made her close her eyes and let out a long breath.

Jessica thought, 'So that's how it is. Waiting up all night for Brian to come home and making him hangover cures was a failure. Hand-washing his designer suits in the dead of winter until my hands were raw was a failure.

'Tutoring Jake through elementary math, raising a child who fit the Atkinson family's image of an heir was a failure. This home really has no place for me anymore.'

"I'm sorry, Mr. Atkinson," Jessica said sincerely. She believed someone who failed should take a final bow and leave the stage.

Her other hand slipped into her coat pocket and tapped her phone screen. The countdown began—there were fourteen days left.

Once everything was in order, she would disappear completely. Brian would never have to be annoyed by her again.

Jessica's attitude caught Brian off guard. He still wanted to say something, but she didn't give him the chance and turned to leave.

She walked away without hesitation. Brian reached out again, but caught nothing.

Suddenly, a sharp pain clenched in his chest, a wave of panic rising fast and hard.

He frowned, watching her disappear down the hall, a strange sense growing stronger—that something important was slipping further and further away from him.

Once outside, Jessica called her best friend, Gabriela Clark. They were besties, though they hadn't spoken in over six years.

Gabriela was a fashion designer, constantly flying around the country, tailoring clothes for different models. A lot of them were male, and with adults working in close quarters, it wasn't unusual for things to happen.

Put plainly, Gabriela went through boyfriends like outfits. Brian had always hated that about her. After Jessica had their child, he'd told her to stay away from Gabriela, said she'd be a bad influence on Jacob.

So Jessica had listened and cut ties with the friend she grew up with for six whole years.

After not hearing from Jessica for years, Gabriela was furious. She picked up and snapped, "So you finally remembered I exist? Jessica, I thought you were way too far gone in your lovesick haze. And now you finally call—what, regretting it already?"

Jessica let out a helpless laugh, tears falling before she even noticed.

She hadn't cried when Brian humiliated her, hadn't cried when Madeline made a fool of her, not even when the child she carried for nine months called someone else Mom. But with Gabriela, Jessica sobbed in regret.

"Yes, I regret it," Jessica said. "Gabi, if I come back now, is it too late?"

On the other end of the line, Gabriela went quiet for a long time after hearing Jessica's sincere words. When she finally spoke again, her voice was choked with tears.

She said, "I'm just glad you've come to your senses. You idiot, do you have any idea how exhausting it's been running the studio for you all these years? The entire art world's been waiting for your return.

"Jessica, being a CEO's secretary only buried your talent. You were born to be an artist—you're the last true gem of the Impressionist world. Jessi, I've been waiting for you this whole time."

"I'm sorry, Gabi. I'm so sorry." Jessica crouched down in the middle of the street, crying.

Jessica was always meant to be proud. She had been brilliant and talented from the start. Even Brian didn't know that she had studied fine art at a university in Fiorenelle, a city in Aurevia.

Her very first graduation piece had made it into the Viremont Grand Biennale, shocking the entire art world.

After graduation, the paintings she signed off on had sold at auction for more than a million dollars.

And yet, for the sake of so-called experience, she came back to the country and started over in a job that had nothing to do with her field. She studied admin, finance, and business management from scratch and still excelled at it.

She gave up painting for ten years. But today, she had finally decided—she was going back.

4.Chapter 4 Her Ungrateful Son

After agreeing on a time with Gabriela to take over the studio, Jessica returned to Atkinson Villa.

She had given herself a 15-day countdown because ten years had left too many things unresolved. She couldn't just walk away. There were still matters to handle.

The most important of all was everything inside Atkinson Villa.

The massive villa, over 5,000 square feet, had no housekeepers simply because Brian thought they were too noisy. The daily cleaning had always fallen to Jessica.

Now that she was leaving, she intended to step down like the perfect secretary she'd always been. It was a matter of pride—as the heiress of the Grant family.

Madeline clearly wasn't the type to do housework, so Jessica had to find a qualified housekeeper for her husband and child.

During the day, Jessica interviewed several candidates, having each of them cook according to Brian's preferences. In the evening, as she was eating at home, an urgent voice came from the front door. "Chester, call the family doctor. Now." It was Brian.

Jessica, being pregnant, was especially sensitive to the smell of blood, and the air immediately made her nauseous.

She frowned, an instinctive worry rising. 'What happened? Is he hurt?' she pondered.

She instinctively started toward the door, only to see Brian hurrying in, carrying a woman in his arms. It was winter in Hartdale, snow falling steadily, soaking his hair and shoulders, but he didn't seem to notice.

He laid the woman down on the couch and barked, furious, "Where is the family doctor? Hurry up."

Jessica didn't even need to see the woman's face to know who she was. It was Madeline.

Wrapped in her thick robe, Jessica stood to the side and calmly asked, "What happened to her?"

They had just argued in the morning. Brian glanced at Jessica but didn't seem interested in talking to her. His voice was filled with annoyance. "She ran into some loan sharks and took a stab to the shoulder."

"Loan sharks? Whose debt?" Jessica asked, curious. She thought, 'What, has the CEO of Atkinson Group gone bankrupt?'

Before Brian could respond, Madeline, pale and weak, spoke up in a pitiful voice, "I'm sorry, Jessi. It's my fault. My dad owes gambling debts, and somehow those people found out I was Mr. Atkinson's secretary.

"They waited on a dark road tonight and tried to kidnap me. I fought back and got hurt. Luckily, Mr. Atkinson was working late and happened to be there. If he hadn't shown up and saved me, I might've been killed."

"Don't say things like that," Brian said sharply. "As long as I'm around, no one will lay a finger on you. But your place isn't safe for now. I've already called the police. Until they catch those men, you'll stay at Atkinson Villa."

"No." Jessica didn't hesitate at all.

Hearing that, Brian looked up at her.

Jessica seemed in good spirits. Maybe it was because she had quit her job and reconnected with her best friend. Her cheeks were rosy, her skin glowing. She wore a soft silk robe, standing there lazily, full of charm.

Brian had been irritable since morning, but hearing Jessica's flat rejection actually calmed him down.

He turned his head, sneering with what looked like mockery. He thought, 'Just like I thought. Another game of push and pull. She acts like she's indifferent, but deep down she's still jealous of Madeline.'

His tone turned low and warning. "Jessica, this is Atkinson Villa." He was the one who owned this place. Whoever got to stay here was up to him.

"She still can't stay," Jessica said firmly. "There aren't enough rooms. She has nowhere to sleep."

Atkinson Villa was big, spanning three full floors, but there were only three actual bedrooms.

One room was for Jacob, one for Jessica, and one for Brian. That was all there was.

There used to be extra guest rooms in Atkinson Villa, but back when Jessica and Brian were newlyweds and still happy, Brian had had them all remodeled.

There was a luxurious nursery, a walk-in closet, a display room for luxury goods, and spaces Jessica used to pass the time—like a flower room, an art studio, and a yoga room. But there were no extra bedrooms.

In fact, the third bedroom was planned by Brian for their second child in the future. But back then, they never imagined that one day they'd be sleeping apart because of emotional distance.

Brian hadn't expected Jessica to reject Madeline's stay for this reason. His face instantly darkened.

His voice was tight, like he was clenching his teeth. "Jessica, you sleep in the master bedroom."

The implication was clear—they could share a bed. After all, no matter how strained things had gotten, just three months ago, they had still slept together. That was how Jessica ended up pregnant.

But Jessica didn't care. That night had only happened because Brian was drunk three months ago. Back then, her feelings had been a tangled mess of love and resentment. Now, neither was left. There was no reason for them to be intimate anymore.

Jessica stood her ground, stubborn and unmoving, and the sight of it made Brian's anger boil over.

At that moment, Jacob came downstairs, still groggy from sleep. "Dad, Mom, what's going on? I heard you two arguing again."

He spoke with a pouty, wronged tone, then glanced over and saw Madeline on the couch, still bleeding as her wound was being treated. He snapped to attention. "Maddie."

Jacob ran over quickly. "Maddie, what happened? Why are you hurt? Does it hurt? Are you okay?"

Madeline smiled, patting his head, "It's nothing, Jake. Be good and go back to bed."

"I'm not going. You're hurt. I'm not sleeping until you're better." Jacob was still a clingy child, and he clung to Madeline without letting go.

Seeing how much he liked Madeline, Jessica suddenly curved her lips into a smile. "Jake, don't worry. Maddie might be staying with us for the next few days.

"But since we don't have enough bedrooms, would it be okay if Maddie sleeps in your room with you?"

"Really?" Jacob's eyes widened, full of excitement and joy. "Yeah, that'd be—"

Halfway through, he quickly clamped his hand over his mouth. "No, I didn't mean it like that, Mom."

Jacob thought, 'I totally forgot. Mom hates it when I act like I love Maddie. The last time I stayed out playing with Maddie too long and forgot to come home, Mom got super mad.

'After that, Dad told me I shouldn't let Mom see how much I love Maddie.'

"It's okay. You can mean it," Jessica said quietly, her voice soft as her cold hands beneath the robe rested gently over her belly.

Today, she finally understood what it meant to give birth to an ungrateful child.

Jessica still remembered the day Jacob was born. She'd gone through a long labor for nearly two days. The doctors had said she might not survive and told Brian he had to choose whether to save the mother or the baby.

Brian's eyes had been bloodshot, screaming outside the OR that he only wanted Jessica.

But Jessica had refused. In tears, she'd begged the doctors to save the baby. She'd said she could give up everything, anything—just not the child she shared with Brian.

In the end, she'd pulled through on sheer will, giving birth to Jacob naturally without a single dose of anesthesia.

Jessica gave up her career to raise Jacob herself, day in and day out. And now, what she got in return was a child who favored another woman and wanted a different mom.

Jessica was really tired. She hadn't even wanted to keep the baby she was carrying. When she got the results from last week's checkup, her first instinct had been to give it up.

Her life felt too hopeless. She hadn't planned on having another child with Brian.

But when she thought about leaving, Jessica started to feel a glimmer of hope. She thought that maybe this time, without the Atkinson family holding her back, she and her child could grow freely and things might be better.

With that thought, Jessica stopped looking back and walked away.

Jacob didn't understand why his mom was acting this way. He stood frozen, watching her leave, silent for a long time, and then suddenly burst into tears.

He was a sensitive kid. Even if he didn't understand anything, something deep in his blood told him he was being left behind.

His sudden crying startled Madeline. She quickly hugged him and tried to comfort him, "Jake, don't cry. I'm right here. Don't be scared."

She looked at Brian, nervous, her eyes brimming with tears like she was silently accusing Jessica of making Jacob cry again.

Brian's face was grim. He looked up toward the second floor, his eyes brooding. But in the end, he didn't say a word.

5.Chapter 5 She'd Had Enough

Jessica slept through the night without dreams. The next morning, when she came downstairs planning to make herself breakfast, she smelled food the moment she reached the stairs.

It was Madeline. She had already made breakfast for the whole family and was now grinding coffee for Brian by hand.

When she saw Jessica, she smiled and greeted her, "Jessi, you're up. Come on, I made sandwiches. I'm not sure if you'll like them."

"Maddie's cooking is great. Who wouldn't like it?" Jacob chimed in with a bright smile, then sneaked a glance at Jessica. There was a flicker of fear in his expression. He was afraid of his mother, and he resented her too.

He felt like Jessica had suddenly become a different person. He didn't understand why she had looked at him with such a cold expression before.

Every time Jacob praised Maddie in the past, it would set Jessica off, making her try harder to be good to him—just so he could use that as a chance to slack off from all his tutoring sessions.

Jessica could more or less guess what her son was thinking. She let out a faint, mocking smile and thought, 'Does he really think I, his mother, can't see through a kid's little tricks?'

Jessica had indeed resented Madeline out of jealousy in the past—but only because she couldn't accept that her husband had such a close third party in his life.

As for how Madeline treated Jacob, Jessica had always turned a blind eye.

Jacob was the heir of the Atkinson family. After Jessica gave birth, Brian's mother, Paisley Atkinson, had warned her countless times not to slack off when it came to Jacob's education.

Jessica had always believed in a happy, low-pressure way of raising her child. She knew Jacob was a lively, sweet boy who loved comic books, playing games, and being in nature.

But as Brian's wife, and as the ever-watched Mrs. Atkinson in high society, she had to play the part of a strict and proper mother.

That was why Jacob always ran to his dad, complaining that his mom was too harsh.

What he didn't know was that, while Jessica was strict, she had read educational books from all over the world, doing her best to create a teaching method that balanced structure and rest.

Jessica might have seemed like a stern mother, but back when Madeline was still her intern, it was Jessica who had personally handed her a hand-drawn storybook she had made herself and asked her to use those toys to bond with Jacob.

Jacob's favorite dish—fish casserole—was something Jessica had taught Madeline how to make, step by step.

Jessica never imagined that all the care and effort she once gave would turn into a weapon against her in the end. Her expression turned cold, touched with a kind of hopeless absurdity. "What are you wearing?"

Madeline hadn't expected Jessica's first words to be that. She looked nervous. "I-it's a suit. I didn't have any clothes to change into last night, so I grabbed something from the closet. Jessi, what's wrong?"

Jessica thought, 'What's wrong? A woman who doesn't belong in this house is wearing my clothes, making breakfast for my kid and grinding coffee for my husband—and she's asking me what's wrong?'

Brian seemed to sense Jessica was about to cause trouble again. He frowned and spoke first, "Jessica, it's just clothes. Don't make a scene. I gave you a black card. You can go buy a hundred more."

Hearing that, Jessica couldn't help but let out a snort. Her stomach turned. She couldn't even tell if it was the pregnancy or the fact that she hadn't eaten breakfast. "Brian, did you forget that this piece was..."

It was the one she wore after the first time they slept together.

Back then, Jessica had been young, fresh out of school, filled with curiosity about the world.

At a business party, she'd thought she could help the company close a billion-dollar deal. She'd drunk too much with the client, only to realize later that her drink had been spiked. She'd ended up in bed with the company's CEO by mistake.

The next morning, she'd woken up to find her clothes torn to shreds by Brian. She couldn't go to work and had sat on the bed, blushing in frustration.

Brian had found her reaction cute and had his assistant buy her that custom-tailored suit. After that, he'd reassigned her to be his personal secretary.

Jessica remembered it clearly. That was how everything started between them.

She didn't expect Brian to forget. And now he let Madeline wear the very same outfit she once wore—it was disgusting.

Brian looked at Jessica's face, seeing she was holding something back. He gave a mocking smile, his deep-set eyes flashing with something strange. "What is it? Say it. Jessica, are you really that attached to a piece of clothing?"

Madeline quickly sensed the tension in the air. She rushed over to explain, grabbed Jessica's hand tightly, and pleaded with her, her eyes brimming with tears, "Jessi, don't be mad at Mr. Atkinson. He didn't know. I took it on my own.

"He just felt bad for me and didn't make me take it off. I didn't think you'd care so much. I'm sorry, Jessi. I'll go change right now. Please don't be upset."

Jessica pulled her hand away in disgust. "No need. You look good in it. Keep it. In fact, why stop at the suit? Just take anything you want from the walk-in closet. It's all yours. And not just that."

Jessica looked up at Brian and mocked, "Everything I ever had in this house is yours now, Madeline."

"Jessica." Brian finally lost it. He slammed the table and shouted, "Do you have to push her like this?"

Jessica said, "I'm not pushing her. You people are the ones pushing me."

Her phone chimed. Jessica glanced down and saw the notification pop up—thirteen days left on the countdown.

At this rate, she might not even make it to the end of the countdown. She'd be gone before then.

Even Jessica hadn't expected Brian to be this heartless. Day by day, he kept crossing her line.

'Today it's the clothes. What will it be tomorrow?' she thought, when suddenly she caught a scent coming from Madeline.

Jessica pondered, 'Is that perfume?'

It drifted faintly at first, almost like a natural scent. But now that Jessica was standing closer, it hit her sharply.

She was sensitive to smells as it was. Her face turned pale in an instant, and her mind jumped back to the notes she had written at her desk—"3. He doesn't allow any woman to wear perfume around him."

She thought, 'Well played, Brian. So that's how it is. As long as she's around, every rule can be broken, huh?'

Jessica let out a laugh, tears falling before she even realized it. In that moment, she couldn't wait for the countdown to end anymore. She wanted to leave now.

Her parents, her grandfather, and even her childhood best friend were waiting for her.

Jessica thought, 'What right does Brian have to let another woman humiliate me like this and treat everything I gave him over the past ten years like it meant nothing?'

"If you feel so pushed, then leave." Brian stared at her coldly, finally snapping. "You stay in this house acting like the world owes you something. Jessica, you've been talking about divorce, haven't you? Fine. Let's get divorced."

Jessica's chest heaved as she struggled to breathe through her rising anger. "Great. Then let's get a—"

Before the last word "divorce" could come out, she clutched her collar in pain, her breath quickening, her skin flushed all over, her eyes locked in disbelief on Madeline.

Jessica thought, 'Is that perfume floral?'

She gave a broken laugh, then said her last words, "Brian, if you want me dead, just say it."

Then everything went dark. She collapsed.

6.Chapter 6 Her Allergy

Five minutes later, a black Range Rover sped toward the hospital. In the back seat, Brian sat with a cold face, his eyes fixed on Jessica in his arms, never blinking.

The moment her eyelids moved, he saw it.

"Jessica, wake up," Brian said.

Jessica caught the faint cool scent on him and slowly opened her eyes. She was sitting on Brian's lap, leaning into his chest.

The moment her gaze met his brooding eyes, she seemed to catch a flash of joy in them.

"Why did you..." The joy in Brian's eyes faded just as fast.

What he saw in hers was indifference. She got off him without a trace of hesitation and shifted to the side as she sat up, deliberately putting distance between them.

Brian raised an eyebrow, thinking she was still acting childish. "Jessica, you're not a kid anymore. You knew you were allergic and still didn't go to the hospital.

"You just had to pass out right in front of me and Jake so we'd panic and fuss over you—was that what you wanted?"

Maybe it was because Jessica's cold attitude had been getting to him these past two days, but the words Brian had meant as concern came out sounding more like an accusation.

Jessica silently clenched her fists at her sides. Her face, turned toward the window, looked pale.

Seeing her like that only annoyed Brian more. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "Say something. You went this far hurting yourself just to play the victim.

"Now both Jake and I are taking you to the hospital in person, and you still want to sit there pretending not to care?"

Jessica gritted her teeth and slapped his hand away. She gave a bitter smile. "Playing the victim? Brian, are you pretending not to know I'm allergic to floral scents, or did you just forget?"

Brian's brows furrowed tightly. His already grim expression turned colder. He looked at Jessica like he was indulging her for being unreasonable.

Jessica thought, 'Forget it. What's the point in saying all this now?'

All of a sudden, it just felt meaningless. None of it mattered to her anymore.

Noticing the other two gazes in the car, she looked up. In the front seat, Madeline watched the scene unfold with a wide-eyed look of innocence while Jacob nestled in her arms.

When Jessica looked over, he pouted in annoyance, as if blaming her for overreacting and disturbing everyone.

But no matter how she looked at it, after she passed out from an allergic reaction, neither Brian nor Jacob had worried about her first. They only thought she was using it to manipulate them.

They were even afraid she'd take it out on Madeline and silently shielded her, taking her side.

"Jessi, are you okay?" Madeline's eyes welled with tears, as if she were truly worried about Jessica. She handed her a bottle of water with gentle concern. "Don't be scared. We'll be at the hospital soon. Mr. Atkinson, Jake, and I are right here with—"

Jessica smacked her hand away without mercy. The slap rang out sharp and loud.

Madeline let out a muffled gasp, as if it really hurt, but she bit her lip and endured it. The back of her delicate hand reddened.

"Mom, why are you always so mean to Maddie? I really don't like you anymore." Jacob's voice turned shrill as he shouted at Jessica, clutching Madeline's hand tightly and blowing softly on it. "Shoo shoo, Maddie's ouchie will go away."

Jessica's lips trembled. She started to speak but stopped, her eyes slowly closing. What she saw in front of her felt like a stab to the heart.

Jacob had always been energetic. For a little boy like him, bumps and bruises were quite normal.

Whenever that happened, he would pout, throw his little arms around Jessica, and cry with that wronged, adorable face of his.

And every time, Jessica would blow on the bruised spot and say, "Shoo shoo, Mommy's magic breath will make your pain go away."

As soon as she blew on it, Jacob would stop crying, snuggle up to her for a bit, then bounce away to play again.

But now, watching the boy she'd once held so dearly comfort another woman as if she were his mother, Jessica felt like the whole thing was a cruel joke.

Brian and Jacob didn't notice the flicker of triumph in Madeline's eyes or the smug challenge in her gaze when it met Jessica's.

"All better now, Jake. You're so sweet. It doesn't hurt anymore. Jessi didn't use any real force," Madeline said, her eyes red. She let Jacob rub her hand a few times before tucking it behind her back, then looked up, shooting Brian a pitiful glance.

"Jessica, apologize to Madeline." Brian's voice was cold, tinged with impatience.

Jessica turned to him, stunned. "You want me, the victim, to apologize to her?" Furious, she let out a dry laugh. "She's the one who triggered my allergic reaction and knocked me out. Should I be thanking her instead?"

Madeline had started off as her intern. Jessica had practically taught her everything. There was no way she didn't know about Jessica's allergy to floral scents.

Jessica had already sensed something was off when she caught that faint fragrance at Atkinson Villa. It turned out that she'd fallen for it anyway.

"Mr. Atkinson, no need to make Jessi apologize. I know she misunderstood me." Madeline forced a smile. She looked all pitiful, like she didn't want Jessica to get the wrong idea again.

"Don't speak up for her," Brian remarked, his eyes chilling. "You've always been too forgiving toward her."

Jessica caught the subtext. Brian meant that he had been too forgiving toward her too. Once again, he didn't hesitate to take Madeline's side.

Jessica thought, 'Then what am I to him? I'm his wife.' A sudden tightness gripped her belly, pain rolling in waves.

She thought of the baby. Instinctively, she rested a hand over her stomach, her lips pressed tight nervously, unwilling to explain anything more.

The tension inside the car was thick, but luckily, they arrived at the hospital soon after. Brian got out first. "Jessi, your health matters. Don't let your temper hurt you in the end."

Inside the car, Jacob was too young to pick up on the sharp sarcasm and challenge laced in Madeline's words. He simply thought she was kind-hearted and still cared about the mom he believed to be cold and heartless.

At that, Jessica's face turned even paler as she clutched her stomach, staring coldly at Madeline. "I was stupid enough to help you back then. That's why things ended up like this. I'll take the consequences."

With that, she pulled the door open and tossed out a final line before stepping out. "You'd better watch yourself from now on."

She thought, 'Did she really think being Brian's wife was going to be that easy?'

But Madeline didn't take her words seriously at all. She pondered, 'Once I get Jessica out of the picture, I'll be the only woman he still keeps around. Becoming his wife will be a piece of cake.'

Jessica had only taken a few steps before a wave of dizziness hit. Just as she was about to collapse, Brian caught her.

"Call a doctor. Now," Brian shouted. "Somebody help."

He could feel her trembling slightly in his arms. Her beautiful face was drained of all color, and something about it made Brian panic.

Soon, a few nurses from the hospital rushed over with a stretcher, and Jessica was wheeled into the emergency room.

"The patient's having a severe allergic reaction. We need to administer...Wait, Ma'am, do you have any known drug allergies?" the doctor asked routinely in the ER.

Jessica placed a hand over her belly. "Doctor, I'm pregnant. I can't take any meds."

"You're pregnant?" The doctor looked shocked. Then he said, "Your allergic reaction is critical. If we don't get you treated right away, you could experience nerve failure and suffocate."

"Just treat me with whatever's safe for the baby," Jessica insisted, holding on to what little consciousness she had. "And one more thing—don't tell my husband I'm pregnant."

"B-but this goes against protocol. If anything happens—"

"I'm the heiress of Grant Group. Whatever happens, I'll take full responsibility. Please."

Before Jessica could finish her sentence, she collapsed on the operating table.

Outside the ER, Brian stared at the glowing light above the door, his fists clenched without realizing it. He thought, 'It's just an allergic reaction. Jessica's going to be fine.'

He let out a slow breath and tugged at the hem of his shirt, only to feel something damp. His eyes instantly widened.

He thought, 'Blood? Is this Jessica's blood?'