Chapter 164



After her pent-up emotions subsided, Sarah’s fury began to wane. She knew that the baby Kallie was carrying had to be dealt with, but she realized that any overt actions might play right into Kallie’s hands.

It was commonly believed that while a man might not always love a woman, guilt could bind him to her in unexpected ways.

Determined, Sarah resolved to leave openings for Kallie to exploit.

Meanwhile, Kallie was under the impression that Jake was taking her to a place of ill repute. Anxiety and fear clouded her thoughts during the entire journey.

However, to her astonishment, they ended up at a shopping mall instead. It was one owned by the prestigious Reeves Group, renowned for its array of luxury boutiques.

During their marriage, Jake had presented Kallie with a card that offered limitless spending within the mall, an ultimate VIP privilege.

Despite the lack of emotional warmth in their marriage, Jake had always been generous with material comforts.

Reflecting on her past woes, Kallie regretted not taking advantage of the card to indulge in lavish shopping sprees at the mall sooner.

As they entered, Kallie remained puzzled about Jake’s true intentions. She trailed him to the third floor, a place dominated by upscale women’s brands.

Jake strode into a jewelry store where a sales associate promptly welcomed them with a smile. “Good morning, sir. Are you looking to select some jewelry for this lady?”

Jake’s response was icy. “Is there just one person working in this whole place? I don’t need your help. Find someone else.”

gα ℓ ησ ν𝓮 𝓁s․com has it all The associate stood frozen, baffled by his abruptness.

The store manager, recognizing Jake, quickly intervened and redirected the confused associate. “Go busy yourself over there and don’t get in Mr. Reeves’ way.”

The manager then ushered Jake and Kallie into the VIP lounge. He presented a list to them. “These are the latest pieces we have, Mr. Reeves. Feel free to take a look.”

Jake passed the list to Kallie and uttered briefly, “You pick.”

Confused, Kallie made a sign with her hands, seeking clarification.

Jake’s attention was elsewhere when he said, “Cut out the gestures. I don’t want to see them.”

Kallie sighed and pulled out her phone. She typed, “What do you mean?”

Jake responded calmly, “Is it so difficult to grasp? I’m choosing a gift for the woman beside me. I thought you might help pick it out since she might not appreciate my choice.”

Kallie had suspected this might be the reason, but his words still stung. Was the gift meant for Sarah? Jake was aware of the tension between her and Sarah, yet he insisted she help select a gift for Sarah. It felt like a deliberate insult.

With a frosty look, Kallie tossed the list aside and began typing again. “Sorry, I’m not well-acquainted with Miss Miller, so I’m not sure about her preferences. Since you’re closer to her, you’d probably know better. I don’t think you need my input.”

Jake’s tone was calm, yet there was an underlying menace. “Then, I must ask if you’re still planning to visit Brent.”

Kallie was taken aback. Could Jake read her mind? How did he know she wanted to see Brent?

Her puzzled expression only made Jake chuckle. “Is it so baffling? I’ve heard Jerome is improving. He might even be out of bed now. Since you’re close to them, it makes sense for you to visit, doesn’t it?”

At the mention of Jerome’s better condition, Kallie was genuinely happy. Clapping a hand over her mouth in astonishment, she stood up abruptly, only to sit down again, struggling to contain her elation.

She resolved to see Brent first before heading to the hospital to check on Jerome. Discussing it with Jake might lead not only to lies but also to biting sarcasm.

Jake observed Kallie’s reactions closely, his eyes narrowing as if piecing together a puzzle. “So, that’s not the real reason,” he declared, his voice dripping with disdain. “You’re keen to see Brent, aren’t you? It’s clear now.”

Kallie responded with a look of confusion and typed, “What does my meeting with Brent have to do with you?”

Jake, stunned momentarily, then retorted with increased intensity, “I’m your husband. How could it not concern me?”

Unyielding, Kallie typed her response, firm and resolute. “In name only. I’m aware of your eagerness to divorce me and be with Sarah—I want that too. You don’t need to wield our marriage like a weapon against me. And for the record, there’s nothing going on between Brent and me, contrary to what you believe.”

Jake gave her a dark look, inhaling deeply as if to temper his rising anger. He gestured toward the list. “Pick something quickly if you want to leave early. If I don’t approve of your choices, you’ll have to start over.”

Kallie was aware that Jake was intentionally dragging things out to keep her from meeting Brent. She didn’t have time to ponder his motives.

Selecting items for Sarah with care? That was unlikely.

Instead, Kallie followed her own preferences, choosing items that appealed to her. She rapidly made her selections on the tablet.

Surprisingly, Kallie found it easier than usual to decide, not hesitating as she often did. Within five minutes, she had completed her task and handed the tablet back to Jake.

Jake scanned it briefly but didn’t demand a redo. Instead, he instructed a bodyguard to take the selected items to the checkout.

Afterward, they visited a shoe store and a boutique.

Kallie picked items solely based on her taste, starkly different from Sarah’s.

Jake surely noticed but displayed no irritation. He effortlessly paid for all the purchases.

This left Kallie puzzled about Jake’s intentions. Was he merely playing games with her? It seemed rather childish.

Once Kallie had made her selections, Jake lingered instead of departing immediately, ensuring Kallie also remained there.

“How do I know you didn’t just grab these at random? Try them on, I want to see,” Jake said.

Confused, Kallie glanced at Jake and shook her head, her fingers flying over her phone’s keyboard. “No, I won’t wear them. Let me guess, you’re setting me up, right? If I wear these and Sarah finds out, she’ll come for me, and you’ll have washed your hands of it, won’t you?”

Jake gave a cold, mocking sneer. “Kallie, do you seriously think I’d waste my time like that?”

Without waiting for her response, Jake signaled the bodyguards. They nudged her and the bags of clothes toward the fitting room.

With a clenched jaw, Kallie faced the unavoidable.

The two burly guards stationed at the door made it clear: she wouldn’t be leaving unless she changed.

Left with no option, Kallie donned each piece, transforming her appearance from head to toe.

When she parted the curtain of the fitting room, a full-length mirror confronted her across the space.

Kallie halted, taken aback by her own reflection. She had picked a light green dress that surprisingly suited her light makeup and the yellow jewelry. The ensemble looked remarkably good on her.

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