After steadying herself, Jessamine tried to put some distance between herself and Thaddeus.This made Thaddeus mad. He dragged her back into his arms. "Why are you avoiding me?"Afraid that he'd forgotten, Jessamine reminded, "We're getting divorced, Mr. Holt. It's only right for us to keep our distance."The trace of guilt that Thaddeus had just started feeling for Jessamine immediately dissipated. He let go of her and strode toward the dining room.Sasha had rammed into Jessamine as a way of venting her frustrations. To her surprise, she caught Thaddeus holding Jessamine intimately when she turned around to see what had happened. She was so angry that she took a photo and sent it to Amy.The dishes were neatly laid out on the table. The housekeeper, Wanda Green, called everyone to the meal.The shrimp that Sasha had been talking about all day were finally served, and they'd been placed right before Jessamine. Sasha took advantage of Thomas' distraction to move the shrimp and put them

As Sasha swaggered away, she sent a message to Amy. "It's a success!"She left Jessamine locked outside on the balcony. Jessamine felt her pockets—she didn't have her phone with her. She didn't know whether to cry or laugh.Thomas must have been asleep at this hour. He had a mild condition of insomnia and found it hard to go back to sleep after being woken up, so she didn't dare to yell for help. It would wake Thomas up.Jessamine sat down with her back against the door. She wrapped her arms around her legs. She couldn't help wondering what Thaddeus and Amy were doing.Then, she laughed at herself for being foolish. They were a couple that had just reunited after being separated for a long time. What else could they be doing?As the night breeze grew stronger, Jessamine couldn't help surrendering to her fatigue. After everything that had happened last night—from the almost-rape to ending up in bed with Thaddeus—she was exhausted. She drifted off to sleep while leaning against the door.

Benji hadn't liked Amy from the get-go. He found her to be too much of a fake bitch. He got angry at the thought of Thaddeus divorcing Jessamine for Amy's sake."You don't deserve to drink my wine, you jerk. Jessie's a great woman, and she's obviously much easier to deal with. I don't know why she had the bad luck of meeting you."Thaddeus sneered. "Her, easy to deal with? Do you know how much she demanded from me? A hundred million dollars! And she can't wait to get the divorce over with.""Oh? She demanded too little if you ask me."The two men drank and drank until they could barely speak. Thaddeus kept muttering, "Tomorrow at 10:00 am. Whoever doesn't show up is a coward."…And just like that, Thaddeus disappeared for a night. Everyone at Holt Manor thought he'd spent the whole night outside. Jessamine was the only one who knew he'd stormed off after she'd pissed him off. She supposed he'd returned to Islington Apartments after that.Thomas was grumbling about Thaddeus all

Amy was wearing a hospital gown as Thaddeus helped her across the floor where Jessamine was. Amy suddenly slipped a bit, and Thaddeus hurriedly gathered her into his arms. He then chided her, with eyes full of love, "Careful, don't hurt yourself."Thaddeus was also carrying Amy's bag on his arm. He was adjusting his walking speed to accommodate her, too. Everything he did for her was gentle and graceful.They were the textbook example of the perfect, loving couple in the eyes of the crowd.Jessamine watched them in shock. A voice kept playing in her head that said, "He's here with her for her prenatal checkup."So, Thaddeus knew how to treat women gently. He was just fierce only with her.Thaddeus suddenly looked over at Jessamine. Their gazes met so suddenly that Jessamine didn't have time to avert her eyes.He let go of Amy and stormed over to her. The gentleness on his face was gone. He growled, "What the fuck are you doing here?"Jessamine got up and hid the test reports b

"Do I look like I'm fucking blind? I saw you push her with my very own eyes! Don't fucking argue with me!"Amy sat up on the ground and burst into loud wails."Teddy, Jessie called me a side bitch! It's all my fault! I shouldn't have returned to the country at all! The doctor said that I shouldn't be triggered because my body is too weak. Maybe I should return to Marita tomorrow. Jessie doesn't seem to want me here!"Thaddeus wrapped his hand tightly around Jessamine's throat and pushed her against the wall. All the reports in her hand fell to the floor in a scattered bunch.Jessamine felt a chill going down her spine and slowly spreading throughout her body. She could feel her heart breaking into pieces as her skin broke out in goosebumps. Just as she thought she was about to pass out, she suddenly felt hot, sticky liquid flowing out of her lower body.Her eyes welled up with tears. She kept praying that her baby would be alright."Thaddeus, l-let go of me … Please …"She could