Chapter 76



Kallie’s assertiveness had not often been on display, especially since she had gotten married. As a child, under Roderick’s guidance, Kallie would stand up for herself, responding to provocations with sharp wit and a hint of arrogance, proving her strength to anyone who doubted her.

However, after her marriage, that fiery spirit had dimmed. She often shrank behind Jake, bowing her head and choosing to ignore the harsh words thrown her way, masking her distress.

But now, things were different. As Gregory translated her response to their rude visitors, Kallie sat perched on a high stool, meticulously sorting through glass fragments. Though she appeared absorbed in her task, there was a subtle but distinct change in her demeanor. A small, knowing smile curled at the corners of her mouth, signaling a newfound confidence.

This assertiveness buoyed Kallie’s spirits. It felt liberating to stand up for herself.

Engrossed in her work, Kallie skipped lunch, her focus narrowing so intensely that hunger and the world around her faded away. She began by identifying the outline of a glass bottle from the larger fragments. Carefully, she pieced the structure back together bit by bit, using the small patterns and imperfections on the fragments as guides to fit the smaller pieces into place.

Deep in her restoration work, Kallie felt as though she were engaging in a silent dialogue with the century-old artifact. With most of the fragments correctly aligned, she picked up her restoration tools and began the meticulous process of gluing the pieces back together, fully absorbed in the intricate dance of reconstruction.

As dusk descended, Gregory turned on the lights in the studio, but Kallie, lost in her work, barely noticed. Though she hadn’t eaten since breakfast, she wasn’t distracted by hunger. Instead, a quiet thrill propelled her as she watched the antique glass bottle slowly take form. The restoration gave her more than the satisfaction of winning a wager—it provided deep joy and fulfillment from breathing life back into something that had been shattered.

“Kallie?” Her concentration was broken by the sound of her name. Lifting her eyes, she saw Jake standing in the doorway of the studio.

Jake’s brows were furrowed, not in anger but in an expression rich with complexity. He had been watching her for some time.

When Gregory noticed Jake’s presence earlier, he had merely signaled for him to stay quiet, prioritizing Kallie’s focus over formalities, and hadn’t even offered Jake a seat.

Jake didn’t mind at all. It was the first time he had ever seen Kallie so engrossed in her craft, revealing a side of her he hadn’t witnessed before. In the past, Jake had always perceived Kallie as somewhat awkward, especially when she busied herself in the kitchen. But now, she was in her element, a contented smile playing on her lips as her hands deftly maneuvered the tweezers, meticulously fitting the glass fragments together.

The sight was captivating. Jake found himself mesmerized, watching the delicate artistry unfold before him. It wasn’t until his phone vibrated with a message from the butler, inquiring about dinner, that he was jolted back to reality.

“We should head home for dinner. It’s getting late,” Jake said softly, drawing Kallie’s attention away from her work.

“Oh, right. You should head home and get some dinner. You missed lunch, too. You can pick this up tomorrow,” Gregory chimed in, remembering that Kallie hadn’t eaten all day.

Jake’s expression turned stern. “Is this how your studio treats its workers? She doesn’t even get a break to eat?”

“I’m sorry,” Gregory muttered, lowering his head in apology. It was the first time he had ever apologized to Jake.

Kallie quickly gestured to Jake, explaining that Gregory wasn’t to blame—it was her who had forgotten to eat. She glued the final fragment in place. The glass bottle now stood independently, though some areas still required fine-tuning. The restoration was almost complete.

The duo who had been eager to ridicule Kallie earlier were now silent, their mocking demeanor gone. They found it easy to provoke a seemingly overlooked housewife, but they weren’t bold enough to challenge someone who clearly had Jake’s attention.

Kallie methodically cleaned her workspace, securing the glass bottle in a cabinet and washing her hands. Jake watched quietly from the doorway, offering silent support.

After Kallie said her goodbyes to Gregory, Jake gently took her hand.

“We’ve got visitors,” Jake whispered as Kallie tried to pull away.

Hesitating slightly, Kallie allowed Jake to lead her to the car. Today, unlike usual, Jake had driven himself.

As he started the engine, Jake mentioned casually, “I swung by the Hayes Group after work but ended up waiting when I realized you hadn’t gone there today.”

It turned out Jake had intended to pick Kallie up from work but had gone to the wrong location.

Kallie, feeling the effects of her long day and missed meals, briefly wondered if her current state was more from hunger-induced fatigue than anything else.

“What about my grandpa’s teapot? Did you manage to fix it?” Jake asked, his tone curious but not accusatory.

Kallie quickly gestured as they paused at a red light, indicating that it was almost done.

“Can it be used now?” Jake asked, his voice tinged with anticipation.

Kallie’s face remained calm as she signed a deeper, metaphorical message: the teapot could never function as it once did. It was irreparably broken, and no matter how much effort went into restoring it, it would still leak.

The next morning, Kallie returned to the studio to continue her work on the glass bottle, while Jake went to his office.

However, Jake found himself unusually distracted throughout the day, unable to shake off Kallie’s analogy from the previous night. Her words echoed in his mind, clouding his focus until his assistant, Edgar, abruptly entered the room.

“Mr. Reeves, there’s a rumor circulating online involving your wife. Should I review the PR team’s strategy for handling it?” Edgar asked urgently.

“Rumor?” Jake’s interest piqued as he took the tablet from Edgar.

On the screen was a trending video showing Kallie interacting warmly with a man, her smile gentle and affectionate. The caption was provocative and misleading: “Mrs. Reeves finally gets back at her husband by having an affair!”

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