They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229

Chapter 229

“Huh?” Sana blinked in confusion. “Why?”

She thought, ‘Where did this

pet idea come from? He wants me to get one for Jessi?”

“Her condition is worsening. She needs a distraction, and a pet would be perfect,” Wesley explained.

Sana frowned, recalling Jessica’s dark circles and frequent zoning out episodes lately. It was concerning.

“Alright, what kind of pet?” She agreed readily. A pet wouldn’t cost much, and if it could help Jessica, she was all for it.

“A cat or dog, preferably a young one,” Wesley replied.

Sana nodded. “Got it.”

Hanging up, she made a mental note and headed to the nearest pet store during her lunch break. After careful browsing, she settled on a six–week–old golden retriever puppy.

“You better behave, little guy,” she murmured, stroking its soft fur as she carried it back to the company.

“Woof!” The puppy yipped at her.

Sana grinned, lifting it to eye level. “Oh? Was that a yes? I’ll take that as agreement.”

“Where’d this puppy come from?” Jessica stepped out of the elevator just in time to witness the scene.

“Uh, my friend gave it to me. Here, Jessi. It’s for you.” Sana’s eyes lit up as she thrust the wriggling bundle into Jessica’s arms.

Jessica instinctively cradled the puppy, running a hand over its silky fur before glancing up in bewilderment. “Why me?”

“To keep. My friend’s dog had a litter of six, and she couldn’t handle them all. She asked her friends to help them find homes.

“Wesley mentioned you liked Tres, so I thought you’d love one. Golden retrievers are gentle and smart. You’ll have no trouble raising it,” Sana beamed.

Jessica instinctively wanted to refuse. “I’m not keeping it.” She thought, ‘I can barely take care of myself right now. How could I possibly handle a pet?”

As she spoke, she moved to hand the puppy back to Sana, but Sana stubbornly refused. “Come on, Jessi. I already promised my friend. She even bought and packed dog food for me. If I back out now, I’ll look unreliable.”

“Keep it yourself,” Jessica said.

Sana’s face fell. “I would, but my landlord doesn’t allow pets.” She clasped her hands together pleadingly. “Please, Jessi? If this little guy gets sent back, he might end up as a stray. Pretty please, Jessi.”

Jessica glanced down at the puppy nestled quietly in her arms. Against her better judgment, she softened. “Fine.”

“Yes!” Sana lit up like a firework. “Jessi, I knew you had the kindest heart. Bringing this puppy to you was totally the right call. Look how well–behaved he is. You won’t regret this.”

“Enough.” Jessica shot her a glare.

Sana instantly mimed zipping her lips.

As Jessica carried the puppy toward her office, Sana trailed behind. She burst out again, “Jessi, since you’re keeping him, you should give him a name.”

Sana thought, ‘A name would create a bond, Jessica wouldn’t just hand the puppy over again easily!

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10:45 Mon, 16 Jun G

Chapter 229

Jessica paused, running a hand over the puppy’s fluffy head. “A name?”

“Yeah! Any ideas?” Sana nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling with expectation.

Jessica studied the puppy in her arms for a long moment before finally speaking. “His eyes look like full moons. Let’s call him Pancake”

“Pancake? Perfect name!” Sana cooed, reaching to fiddle with the puppy’s floppy ears. “You hear that, Pancake? Are you happy?”

“Stop that. He needs to sleep,” Jessica swatted her hand away.

“Aww, Jessi, you’re already protecting him? My heart is broken!” Sana fake–sobbed.

Ignoring the dramatics, Jessica settled onto the sofa in the office and eyed the pet supplies in Sana’s grip. “Put them by the window. The sunlight is good today. Pancake can bask. Oh, by the way, fill his bowl before you go.”

“Got it. Jessi, you…” Sana hesitated, noting the dark circles under her eyes. “You look exhausted. Why not take a nap with Pancake?”

Jessica stroked the warm, drowsy puppy in her lap and nodded.

Relieved, Sana arranged the pet supplies and tiptoed out. What she didn’t see was Jessica opening her eyes the moment the door closed. Gently, she placed Pancake on the plush bed, then turned to her computer and pulled up files.

Jessica knew her limits. Even with Pancake’s comforting presence, sleep wouldn’t come.

After pushing through the exhausting afternoon, Jessica dragged herself home, hoping she might fall asleep that night.

In the dim bedroom, she stared at the blank ceiling. She was still wide awake. She pressed her fingers to her throbbing temples. The cumulative sleep deprivation was fraying her nerves to breaking point.

She thought, ‘Why the hell can’t I fall asleep? Maybe sleeping pills… No. Absolutely not.’ She gritted her teeth. Pregnant women couldn’t take that risk.

The thought of the baby inevitably led her back to the architect of this misery. “Damn Brian,” she muttered.

Jessica thought, ‘Why won’t he disappear? We’re divorced. Why can’t he just leave me alone?‘

Fury coiled tighter with every unanswered question. Finally, she sat up and grabbed her phone, channeling her rage into a round of Whac–A–Mole as if each little mole were Brian himself.

Game after game, she played deep into the night until exhaustion finally weighed her eyelids down. She collapsed into sleep, only to be yanked awake three hours later by the alarm.

Jessica opened her bloodshot eyes and silenced the phone. She willed herself back under the quilt. But thirty minutes of useless tossing later, she kicked the quilt off in annoyance.