Chapter 4 It's Been Some Time

Jerred cut Jaylynn off with furrowed brows, saying, "Don't read too much into it. Thea had a spat with my mother; she was just riled up and blurting out whatever came to her mind."

He steadied Jaylynn with a firm hand as he guided her back to the hospital bed. His voice was resolute as he said, "I'm not divorcing her for now."

At his unyielding tone, a faint shadow crossed Jaylynn's eyes.

She lowered her head, her lashes trembling, her voice nasal from crying. "You've already been married for over a year. If word gets out that you divorce the moment I return, everyone will think that I ruined your marriage..."

Jerred remained quiet for several seconds before giving a short, final nod. "Yeah. We can talk about that later."

The heaviness in Jaylynn's expression lifted slightly at his reply.

Once tucked beneath the sheets, she let her gaze drift to the horizon, where sunlight spilled into the room. "I've been trapped in here day after day..."

Her eyes slid back to Jerred, her tone softening, almost coaxing. "Could you take me shopping today? I'm about to step back into the public eye; I need new clothes and jewelry."

Her hand brushed the brim of her hat as she tilted it back to expose a small patch of newly shaved scalp. Her voice quivered slightly as she admitted, "I can't let anyone see me like this."

The sight of her bare scalp softened Jerred's expression, a flicker of sympathy passing through his eyes. "Alright," he murmured, his tone unusually gentle.

***

It was the weekend today.

After ending her call with Maggie, Thea tried to sink back into sleep, but no matter how she shifted beneath the sheets, rest refused to come.

Irritation mounting, she eventually rose, wandering through the house before distracting herself with chores and packing.

She had spoken of divorce the night before. Jerred hadn't given her an answer, but she knew in her bones he'd agree to it eventually for Jaylynn.

So, she needed to pack up her things and be prepared for it.

Determined, she folded clothes neatly into her luggage, her movements sharp with purpose. While she was tidying the dining room, her eyes landed on the black card Jerred had left on the table.

With the servants in the house at all hours, she didn't want to leave it there and lose it.

Just as Thea slid the card safely into her bag, ready to give it back to Jerred later, her phone buzzed with a call.

The name flashing on the screen made her chest loosen slightly-it was Brielle Dale, her close friend.

"Thea, tell me everything!" Brielle's warm voice quickly came through the line. "Did your husband lose his mind with excitement when he found out about your pregnancy?"

Brielle and Thea had known each other since kindergarten, and after Thea's parents passed, Brielle and her family had been the ones making the long trips to the countryside to keep her from feeling alone.

Thea had never kept any secret from Brielle.

Thea kept her tone even as she muttered, "Brielle, I've decided to divorce Jerred."

On the other end of the line, silence stretched until Brielle's stunned reply slipped out. "What happened? Why are you suddenly saying this?"

Only yesterday afternoon, Thea had been humming with anticipation, filling her cart with fresh ingredients to cook Jerred's favorite dishes.

Yet now, in less than a day, she wanted to divorce him?

Thea sank into a chair, exhaustion pressing down on her. "Jaylynn's back."

"Unbelievable!" Brielle's tone hardened, slicing through the air. "She really chose the exact day you find out you're pregnant to come back?"

"Not exactly," Thea said, pressing her fingertips against her throbbing temple. Her voice steadied as she explained the situation. "She's actually been back for two months. I just found out about her return yesterday."

It almost felt like fate was giving her a sign.

When Jaylynn came back, she conceived Jerred's baby.

And on the very day she learned of her pregnancy and wanted to share the news with Jarred, she discovered Jaylynn's return.

Fate offered her a real family just before her marriage would end.

Brielle, unsure how else to console Thea, said in a low voice, "Thea, how about we hit the mall? Let's go shopping."

Maybe wandering aisles and trying on clothes could lift Thea's mood.

Thea agreed without hesitation.

Yet she had never imagined she would run into Jerred and Jaylynn in the mall.

When her eyes caught them, she happened to be standing in front of a mirror, trying on a beautiful dress.

She had never dared wear something so form-fitting before, always thinking it too bold for her image as Jerred's wife.

But Brielle had coaxed her, saying that with divorce around the corner, she no longer needed to play the dutiful wife; it was time for her to try something daring.

"That figure of yours is truly gorgeous!" Brielle exclaimed, circling Thea with her phone and snapping photos.

Heat rushed to Thea's cheeks at the blunt praise. She was about to laugh it off and tell Brielle to stop when her gaze lifted and landed on Jerred and Jaylynn walking side by side.

Jerred cut a sharp figure in a long black coat, his polished demeanor radiating a cold, untouchable authority.

At his side, Jaylynn clung to his arm, her frame delicate and frail. Illness had drained the color from her face, yet her every movement remained graceful.

A small entourage trailed them-bodyguards laden with shopping bags.

The sight stirred a bitter pang in Thea's heart.

She couldn't help remembering the time she had asked Jerred to go shopping with her.

It had been only a month into their marriage when Brielle had urged her to use the outing to draw closer to Jerred.

But Jerred hadn't even paused before refusing, his voice firm, dismissing the idea as a waste of his valuable time.

But with Jaylynn, his time seemed hers to use freely.

"What's got you staring so hard?" Brielle asked, her brow arched.

She caught Thea's lingering stare and followed her line of sight. Her lips then curled into a cold smile.

"Talk about bad luck. We're just trying to shop, and we run into them." Her tone was edged with mockery, loud enough to draw curious glances from nearby shoppers.

Both Jaylynn and Jerred turned at the sound.

Jerred's gaze landed on Thea, and for a split second, his expression shifted. In the sleek, form-fitting dress, she looked breathtaking.

He had known her body's every curve, kissed and touched every inch of her, but he had never expected her to look so radiant when she wore a dress cut to flatter her figure so perfectly.

The subtle change in Jerred's look didn't escape Jaylynn's notice.

A sting of jealousy flared inside her, but she smoothed it over with a practiced smile as she said to Thea, "Fancy seeing you here, Thea. It's been some time."