Chapter 516



His gaze drifted to the report she was holding in her hand. “I won’t force you to tell me anything you’re not ready to share.”

Despite his words, Kallie’s mind was still in turmoil. She tossed the report into a nearby trash can and sighed. “I hope you’ll remember what you said.” Kallie brushed past Jake, heading for the exit.

Jake followed her and asked cautiously, “Are you upset that I came to see you? If my being here bothers you, I won’t come again.” His voice was gentle and cautious, a stark contrast to the arrogant and aloof Jake Kallie had once known.

Kallie wasn’t angry with Jake. She was just overwhelmed, unsure of how to handle the situation. Looking at him, regret tugged at Kallie for snapping at him earlier. After a moment’s hesitation, she stopped and turned to him. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that a lot has happened recently, and I’m exhausted.”

Noticing the wind picking up outside, Jake immediately slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. “I understand. It’s okay. I only came to see if you were alright. If you’re fine, I’ll head back.”

For a moment, Kallie hesitated, then called after Jake, silently cursing herself for always being so softhearted. “Come and have dinner with us tonight,” she said. “Sophie’s been missing you a lot.”

Jake’s eyes brightened instantly. He approached Kallie with a cheerful stride. Despite the mask, Kallie could sense the smile in his eyes. Eagerly, Jake followed Kallie, and after some convincing, she agreed to let him cook.

Whenever Jake visited Kallie’s home, he would shed his usual disguise, removing the mask that hid his face. Tonight, Jake wore a simple white shirt that only seemed to emphasize his tall and solid frame, an apron tied snugly around his waist. He looked every bit the devoted husband. He worked with intense focus, every movement deliberate and precise, as if he were creating a masterpiece rather than merely preparing a meal.

The light above the stove cast soft shadows over Jake’s face, highlighting the long sweep of his lashes. It was hard to reconcile this serene, domestic image of Jake with the infamous “ME Jack” he was known to be.

The dishes Jake prepared were all Kallie’s and Sophie’s favorites, tailored to their tastes with meticulous touch. Sophie was ecstatic, her small hands clasping Kallie’s in one and Jake’s in the other, beaming with joy from her seat in the middle.

Tyrone joined them for dinner, appearing much better than he had in days. He seemed more at ease, finally trusting that those around him meant no harm, and he was beginning to interact more freely. Yet, without Jenny by his side, he still felt insecure. Kallie was forced to call Jenny over.

Predictably, Jenny wasn’t there to join the meal. She stood off to the side, her complexion ghostly, her frame noticeably thinner. It looked as if she had suffered greatly. Kallie hadn’t laid a hand on Jenny. Last time, Jenny had coerced Kallie, demanding she swap Tyrone for Jake. Jenny hadn’t anticipated that her actions would plunge her into misery.

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