They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 23

At Atkinson Villa, Jacob got hung up on by Jessica again. He felt both wronged and angry.

He thought, ‘So what if I like playing with Maddie? Even Dad likes her. Why does Mom have to be so petty?‘

Jacob pouted. “She doesn’t deserve to be my mom. She’s a grown–up and still argues with a kid like me. I’m never calling her Mom again.”

He was so upset he almost threw Sylvie’s phone. Sylvie quickly took it back and comforted him, “Mr. Atkinson, don’t say that. You’re just too upset. Mrs. Atkinson must be busy. Maybe there’s been some kind of misunderstanding.”

From the way Brian treated Jessica, Sylvie knew the real lady of the house was still Jessica. Besides, Jessica was the one who hired her. Sylvie was just trying to say a few nice things for her.

Jacob stormed back to his room, fuming. He thought, ‘There’s no way Dad wasn’t working late and was off spending time alone with Maddie instead. Mom’s trying to drive a wedge between us, but it won’t work on me!’

In the night, when Brian got home, Jacob was already asleep. He stood at the door for a moment but didn’t go in. “My wife still isn’t back?”

No, Sylvie reported as she followed behind him. “Your son tried to call Mrs. Atkinson tonight. She didn’t answer. Then he used my phone and she picked up. He seemed pretty upset afterward. I think he really misses her.”

“Okay,” Brian said calmly, but his face was gloomy as he headed upstairs to his study on the third floor. He thought, ‘So she really doesn’t want to come home to us, huh?‘

The next morning, Jacob, who’d gotten used to waking up on time thanks to Jessica’s routines, still hadn’t gotten up.

Brian glanced at his watch and went to wake him.

“Jake, time to get up for school.” Brian walked into Jacob’s bedroom. He called Jacob a few times, but there was no response. “Jake?”

When Brian walked up to the bed, he saw Jacob’s eyes shut tight, completely unresponsive no matter how many times he called. His face was unnaturally red.

Brian reached out and felt his forehead. It was burning hot.

“Jessi, Jake has a fever,” Brian instinctively turned and called out, but it was Sylvie who came in.

Brian froze for a second, then remembered Jessica hadn’t come back in two days.

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