Chapter 49



“Yep, we were talking about a complete bastard, and here it is!” Linsey exclaimed as Sarah came into view, her brows knitting together almost instantly.

Sarah’s expression darkened, clearly stung by Linsey’s words, yet she composed herself with effort. She joined them, settling gracefully into a seat beside Linsey and Kallie. “I caught bits of your conversation just now. Tell me, Kallie, are you really planning to divorce Jake?” she asked, fixing Kallie with a steady look.

“And which ear did you eavesdrop with? What does it matter if we speak ill of a man? Feeling protective of him?” Linsey retorted bluntly.

Unaware of Sarah’s presence earlier, Linsey wondered how much Sarah might have overheard or if she was merely guessing.

Sarah turned to Kallie, her smile tinged with knowing. “You’ve already proposed the divorce to him, haven’t you?”

Kallie felt her heart flutter. However, it wasn’t entirely unexpected for Jake to confide in Sarah about her desire for a divorce. Jake and Sarah were inseparable. He shared everything with Sarah, as soulmates do. Yet, being confronted by Sarah still made her squirm.

“I think you shouldn’t go through with the divorce,” Sarah remarked firmly.

Both Kallie and Linsey were taken aback by her suggestion, with Linsey’s frown deepening. “What are you playing at? Just get out of here!”

Ignoring Linsey’s words, Sarah’s gaze remained fixed on Kallie. “Why even think about a divorce? I’ve heard it’s for my benefit, but I’ve always fared well on my own. Without marrying Jake, I’m capable of getting whatever I desire.”

Her assertion rang true. Even Kallie was aware of how much Jake lavished on Sarah.

“But you, as his wife, haven’t touched his money… So, why the divorce?” Sarah pressed on.

Linsey shot Sarah a disapproving look, suspecting that Sarah’s intentions weren’t pure.

Yet, Kallie seemed to understand the undercurrents better. She silently picked up her phone, typed a message, and showed it to Sarah. “Even if I leave him, Jake isn’t going to marry you. Your tarnished reputation will ensure the Reeves family rejects you.”

It was no secret in their circle that Sarah was the mistress. Sarah openly embraced that label. Without Jake, it was unlikely she’d find another partner. Reputation was everything to the Reeves family.

As Sarah read the message, her smile faded.

But Kallie wasn’t done. She continued to type. “After the divorce, the Reeves family will find Jake a new bride—someone less forgiving than me. She won’t tolerate you like I have.”

Kallie’s words struck a nerve.

The pretense drained from Sarah’s face as she locked eyes with Kallie. “Even if you divorce, you’ll be worse off than me!”

Unfazed, Kallie typed down her response. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll always be the adopted daughter of the Reeves.”

Despite Roderick’s death possibly changing Kallie’s status within the Reeves family, Sarah was unaware of this complication.

Sarah’s expression darkened. Before she could respond, Linsey couldn’t contain herself any longer and snatched up a water glass from the table. “Still not leaving? Get lost right away, or I’ll splash this water right in your face!”

“You dare!” Sarah leaped to her feet so quickly that she almost knocked her chair over. She shot Linsey a venomous look before turning on her heel and leaving in a huff.

“How did she find out about that? Did Jake spill everything?” Linsey turned to Kallie, her face a mask of disbelief.

Kallie let out a weary sigh. She hadn’t anticipated Sarah getting worked up over such a matter. Her previous words that the Reeves family would arrange a different marriage for Jake were merely a ruse to shake Sarah up.

As the current head of the Reeves family, Jake had the authority to marry Sarah if he chose to, and no one could oppose him.

It seemed Sarah hadn’t grasped that. Kallie was a bit surprised, wondering whether Sarah’s insecurity was that profound.

“Kallie, don’t let others dictate your choices. Whether you stay married or not, what matters most is your happiness and freedom,” Linsey advised gently.

She was interrupted by the ringing of Kallie’s phone. It was Steven; Kallie had stored his number during her last hospital stay. Why was Steven calling now?

Kallie answered immediately. Steven’s voice was urgent. “Mrs. Reeves, you need to come to the hospital right away. Jake’s passed out, and he’s currently being tested!”

Kallie’s complexion paled. Passed out? The genetic ailment that had claimed Roderick was notorious within the Reeves family. If Jake had inherited it…

Overwhelmed by her fears, Kallie bolted out of the coffee shop.

“What’s wrong, Kallie?” Linsey hurried after her.

Kallie motioned that she would explain later and raced to her car. She implored the driver to make for the hospital with utmost speed.

Kallie leaped from the car before it fully stopped at the hospital entrance and sprinted inside, following the directions Steven had texted her. Breathless and frantic, her eyes swelled with tears of dread. The thought of something happening to Jake terrified her.

Upon entering the ward, she found Jake in a hospital gown, leaning against his bed, frowning at a tablet. His brows were furrowed in concentration, much like when he was deep in work.

Kallie froze.

“Why the rush?” Steven’s voice echoed from behind. Jake looked up, his gaze shifting to Kallie.

Kallie’s flushed, breathless appearance caused Jake’s expression to flicker with surprise and confusion.

“It seems you really care about your husband! Rushing over just minutes after the call,” Steven remarked, a playful tone in his voice. “Ah, this must be true love! I’ve actually witnessed it now!”

Standing at the doorway, Kallie’s eyes dropped to the floor, her cheeks coloring as she realized her overzealous reaction might not have been to Jake’s liking.

.

.

.