Chapter 4
The woman was wearing a maid’s uniform from the Atlante estate, and there was a little boy nearby who’d completely trashed the living room.
When Jessica walked in, Carrie stood up from beside Quentin, flashing a perfect and demure smile: “Welcome home, ma’am. I’m the housekeeper sent from the estate to look after the young master.“]]
Jessica’s jaw clenched so hard she could barely breathe.[]
How the fuck did Quentin have the balls to bring these two into their home?]
Seeing Jessica’s face go white, Quentin rushed to explain: “Babe, I texted you this afternoon–you probably didn’t see it. Carter is a kid my mom adopted from an orphanage. She says he’s meant to be part of our family.“]
All
All her heartbreak had already been spent in that empty boardroom. Now Jessica just felt pure rage building in her chest.
These people were playing her like a complete idiot![]
“Quentin, are you trying to break my heart on purpose?” Her voice was shaking with fury.
Quentin’s brow furrowed–he hadn’t expected Jessica to react this badly.[]
He scrambled to backtrack: “Babe, don’t be upset!“]]
“You know the Atlante family needs an heir, and I’ve watched you grieve for our lost baby for so long. That’s why I agreed to Mom’s plan.”
“If you don’t like it, I’ll have him sent away immediately!“[]
Everyone knew Quentin was completely whipped when it came to Jessica–she always came first, no exceptions.[]
Like right now, if Jessica didn’t want the kid around, he’d ship his own son away without a second thought.
But this twisted devotion just made Jessica feel sick to her stomach.]
She was about to blow up his whole charade when Carter’s face crumpled and he started wailing[]
“You’re a mean lady! Daddy, why are you with this mean lady? Don’t you love me anymore?”
The kid’s screaming was piercing, giving Quentin an instant headache. He snapped: “Carter! Who the hell taught you to talk like that?“[]
“Are you all brain–dead? Get him upstairs to his room NOW!“]
The staff rushed in, frantically carrying the sobbing Carter upstairs.[]
Carrie looked panicked, apologizing profusely: “Mr. Atlante, this is all my fault. Please don’t blame the little one.“[]
She gave Quentin this wounded puppy–dog look that would’ve melted most men’s hearts.
Quentin sighed, his voice softening: “I’m not blaming him. He’s just a kid–he doesn’t know any better? Go take care of him.“[]
Jessica watched this whole Oscar–worthy performance, her heart turning to ice.[]
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Chapter 4
She pushed past Quentin and headed straight upstairs, slamming the bedroom door in his face.
Quentin stood outside, frustrated as hell but still trying to smooth things over: “Babe, this is my fault. I’ll send the kid away first thing tomorrow morning.“]
“You don’t have to let me in, just get a good sleep. We’ll figure this out tomorrow.“[]
Jessica slid down the cold door until she was sitting on the floor. Her chest had gone completely numb.[]
What was the point of sending the kid away? Blood was blood–that would never change. She was the one who needed to leave.]
She felt so damn tired–physically, emotionally, everything.[]
After what felt like hours, her phone buzzed with an Instagram follow request from a stranger.[]
It was Carrie Versta.[]
【Mrs. Atlante, you locked your husband out, so don’t blame him for ending up in my bed.】
Jessica’s eyes went wide as she bolted upright, walking out of the bedroom. She could see dim light coming from the study down the
hall.
The door was slightly ajar, and a woman’s breathy voice drifted through the crack: “Quentin, uh… that hurts…“[]
A man’s low grunt responded, his voice rough with aggression: “You’re the one who lured me over here. Motherhood hasn’t slowed you down one bit.“[]
Jessica felt like she’d been plunged into an ice bath, her blood turning to slush in her veins.[]
She couldn’t believe Quentin would be this goddamn eager.
The sounds continued from inside, Carrie’s voice breathy and muffled: “Quentin, I just saw how upset your wife made you. I wanted to help you feel better…“]]
“Don’t make excuses for being a slut. And remember–if you want Carter to stay in this family, don’t give my wife any trouble.“]
Jessica couldn’t take another second anymore. She didn’t even know how she made it back to the bedroom.
The moment she got inside, she rushed to the bathroom and collapsed over the sink, puking her guts out.
Her stomach cramped painfully until there was nothing left to throw up. She slowly straightened up, staring at her wrecked reflection in the mirror.]
Jessica had cried herself dry long ago.
She was a fucking Rolando–she had too much pride to keep putting herself through this hell.[]
She didn’t know how long she stayed curled up on that cold bathroom, but when the first light of dawn crept through the windows, she finally dragged herself back to bed.]
This time, she was the one who didn’t want him anymore.[]
