Chapter 3
Jessica hailed a cab and tailed Carrie to the hospital.
Standing outside the room, she watched everything unfold, feeling like a knife was twisting in her chest.
She bit down hard on her lip to keep from making a sound.[]
Quentin’s son was hooked up to an IV, his little face pale and exhausted–he looked so fragile.
Quentin was completely freaking out, pacing the room and absolutely losing his shit: [
“Are you kidding me right now? Can’t even treat a kid’s fever properly!“]
The attending physician was Wayne Cortes–Jessica recognized him as one of Quentin’s best buddies from college.
“Your kid’s running a fever because he caught a cold. Maybe focus on being a better parent instead of screaming at my residents!“]
“Jesus, Quentin, I don’t know what’s gotten into you. Didn’t you say you’d pay that woman off after she had the baby? Now you’re calling me over every damn cold. What happens if Jessica finds out?“[]
After a long pause, Quentin’s voice came out tired and defeated: “What am I supposed to do, Wayne? The kid loses his mind every time I try to send Carrie away. He won’t stop crying. I can’t just let him suffer like that.“[]
“Oh please, we both know this isn’t about the kid,” Wayne snorted. “You’re getting attached to playing house.“[]
That set Quentin off even more. He rubbed his temples hard: “That’s bullshit and you know it. Jessica’s the only woman I’ve ever loved–that hasn’t changed. But the Atlante family needs an heir, and you need to help me keep this from her. I can’t stand the thought of hurting her.”
“As for Carrie, she gave me a son. I owe her that much.“[]
Right on cue, Carrie pushed through the door, tears streaming down her face: “Oh God, Quentin, this is all my fault. I should’ve taken better care of Carter. He spiked a fever right after you left last night, crying for his daddy, but I didn’t want to interrupt your time with your wife…“]
Quentin touched the kid’s burning forehead and sighed, his heart finally softened.[]
He pulled Carrie into his arms: “Shh, don’t cry. I’m not blaming you. Carter’s our son–I’m the one who’s been a shitty father.“[]
Carrie clutched at his shirt, her fingers trailing across his chest: “Quentin, I know I’ll never measure up to Jessica, but I just can’t stand watching our boy suffer..“]
Quentin’s expression hardened with determination: “Nobody’s gonna dare to make my son suffer. But you need to take care of yourself too. Look at you, you’re a mess.“]
He reached up and gently wiped away a tear from her cheek, the intimate gesture slicing through Jessica’s chest like a blade.[]
Jessica clenched her fists so hard her nails drew blood, leaving crescent–shaped marks on her palms. She couldn’t even feel the physical pain anymore.[]
Nothing could compete with the agony tearing through her heart.[]
Rain started pouring down again as Jessica left the hospital.
Chapter 3
She walked through the downpour, completely numb. Rain mixed with tears on her face, blurring her vision, but it couldn’t wash away the devastation inside her.[]
By the time she reached the Rolando Group headquarters, her heels had rubbed her ankles raw and bloody.[]
The receptionist nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Jessica’s condition: “Ms. Rolando! Oh my God, what happened? Should I call Mr. Atlante? He’s going to be so worried when he sees you like this!“[]
Jessica’s heart had gone completely numb. Yeah, everyone just assumed Quentin loved her–no exceptions.
But they never knew how much lies and betrayal were mixed into that so–called love.[]
She gently pushed away the receptionist’s helping hands, her voice hoarse: “I’m fine. Just got caught in the rain. Can you grab me some clean clothes?“]
She handed over her card and locked herself in the nearest conference room.
The moment the door closed, Jessica completely fell apart. She’d thought seeing those photos had prepared her for reality.]
But watching that perfect little family unit up close had ripped open her deepest wounds all over again, leaving her raw and bleeding.[]
Her heartbroken sobs echoed through the empty conference room.]
She wanted to scream at Quentin–why was he the one making all those promises back then, and now he was the one playing happy family with someone else?]
A knock at the door finally pulled her back to reality.[]
By the time she pulled herself together and opened the door, whoever it was had already left. Just a fresh outfit and her credit card sitting there, plus a steaming cup of coffee.]
A handwritten note was tucked under the mug: “Don’t worry, Ms. Rolando. I didn’t call Mr. Atlante. Figured you wouldn’t want him to worry.“]
A storm of emotions churned in Jessica’s heart. But in the end she tore up the note and tossed it in the trash.
She grabbed the clothes and hit the bathroom to change. Within minutes, she was back to being the untouchable Rolando heiress–nothing could touch her now.
She spent the rest of the day buried in work, her heels clicking authoritatively across the executive floor.
Quentin had been texting her nonstop. She didn’t even glance at her phone.[]
That evening, she dragged herself exhausted ass home, planning to pack and catch the first flight out of JFK in the morning.
But the moment she opened the front door, she heard a child’s giggles echoing through the living
2.0
And there was Carrie Versta, standing right in her goddamn house like she owned the place.
