They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 271

Chapter 271

Chapter 271

“I’m fine.” Jessica tried to sound composed, not wanting to worry Sana.

“Seriously?” Sana looked doubtful.

“Yep. Why wouldn’t I be okay?” Jessica forced a casual smile, then nodded at the files in Sana’s hand. “That the old project?”

“Uh–huh. Take a look.” Distracted, Sana handed over the papers.

Jessica flipped through them, explaining as she went, and Sana soon let the matter drop.

Once they finished discussing the project, Sana grabbed the files to leave, but Jessica called her back. “Tell security to stop Brian’s car if they see it. Don’t let him in the building.”

“Wait, block him from the parking lot too?” Sana gaped.

“Right.” Jessica’s voice was frosty.

Sana started to protest but fell silent under her icy stare.

She thought, ‘Fine, I’m with Jessi on this. What Mr. Atkinson does is his problem.‘

Then she replied, “Got it, Jessi. I’ll go tell them now.”

After Sana left, Jessica eyed the new messages on her phone, her expression blank.

She thought, ‘Brian, if you’re with Madeline, stick with her. Quit bothering me.‘

The next day, Brian showed up with lunch as usual, only to find his car barred from the parking lot.

Puzzled, he sent Jackson to check and learned Jessica had ordered the block.

Even more puzzled, he thought, ‘What’d I do? She seems even madder at me.‘

“Mr. Atkinson, still want to go in?” Jackson asked carefully from the driver’s seat.

“Nah. If Jessi doesn’t want me here today, I’ll leave her be.” After a beat, Brian decided to back off.

He thought, ‘If she’s shutting me out, I’ll respect that.‘

“Drive to Grant Group’s main entrance,” he said.

Two minutes later, the sleek Maybach pulled up front. Brian carried the thermal food container to reception, asking them to send it up to Jessica.

“Look, Mr. Atkinson, it’s not that we’re trying to be difficult,” the receptionist said, wincing. “Ms. Grant specifically told us to reject everything you send, unless it’s paperwork.”

Brian furrowed his brows but didn’t miss a beat. “Then pass this along to Sana.”

The receptionist hesitated.

His expression flat, Brian pressed. “Ms. Grant didn’t ban me from sending things to Sana, did she?”

If they refused, he’d just redirect it to Dereck.

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“Let me call Sana and double–check,” the receptionist relented after a moment.

Brian didn’t object.

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Upstairs, Sana answered the call. When she heard Brian was dropping off food again, she thought that the breakfast she’d bought Jessica that morning was still sitting untouched. She caved almost instantly and told them to accept it.

Moments later, the receptionist delivered the food.

Sana quickly repackaged it and brought it to Jessica’s office.

Inside, Jessica’s stomach growled at the aroma. She was ravenous fro

from working nonstop.

“Jessi, fresh breakfast from a new diner. Dig in,” Sana said, pushing the food forward.

Too hungry to care, Jessica devoured the food. “This is great. Where’d you get it? I want the same tomorrow.”

She thought, ‘It tastes every bit as good as Brian’s cooking.’

Sana’s smile faltered.

“Any problem?” Jessica arched an eyebrow.

“Not at all,” Sana lied quickly, promising to order the same food the next day.

Once Sana left, Jessica twirled the spoon between her fingers, examining it closely.

She thought, ‘The fine craftsmanship isn’t something a cheap diner would use.

When she stared at the half–empty plate, her eyes clouded with mixed emotions.

She thought, ‘Brian, why do the kids matter so much to you?‘

Just then, another message from Madeline popped up.

Jessica gave it a quick glance. This time it was a bunch of maternity stuff, all top international brands. ‘She sure knows how to pick,‘ Jessica thought.

[Jessi, which of these do you think is best?]

Jessica tried to ignore it and lock her phone, but Madeline sent a voice call.

She frowned, tempted to let it ring, but the constant buzzing got on her nerves. Finally, she answered. “Madeline, will you knock it off?”

“Jessi, how can you say that? I’m not doing anything, just asking for advice. You keep blowing me off, do you know how bad that makes me feel?” Madeline’s fake voice came through the speaker, making Jéssica want to gag

“Your feelings are your problem. Don’t confuse me with Brian!” Jessica snapped.

She thought, ‘Why does she think I’ll play nice?‘

“Ouch, that hurt, Jessi. Of course I know you’re not Brian. He’d never ghost me. He replies to my texts the second they go through,” Madeline said, half- pouting, half–boasting.

Jessica felt a sharp ache. She didn’t buy all of Madeline’s story.

She thought, ‘Brian is swamped, How could he possibly reply instantly?‘

But he definitely wouldn’t ignore Madeline. Even before their divorce, Brian had always bent over backward for Madeline.

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Jessica thought, ‘Now that they are together, he must cafe about her even more, especially with his kid in her belly. Since when did he care so much about his kids?‘

Madeline’s voice kept coming through the phone. “Jessi, are you swamped with work? Is that why you haven’t replied? But it really stings when you

ghost me.

“You know pregnant women need to stay positive, so next time I’m stuck, I might just swing by your office. Not that I’m trying to corner you, though.”

Jessica snapped, “If this isn’t blackmail, then what is?”

Madeline laughed sweetly, “Just making plans. Since I’ve got all this free time being pregnant, I could park myself at your company until you’re ready to talk. No biggie.”

That did it. Jessica’s face went stone–cold. “Don’t bother. Send your questions via text. I’ll answer when I have a minute.”

The last thing she wanted was a public showdown at work. That was embarrassing.

“Great. I knew you were too nice to leave me hanging. We’re all set then. Any pregnancy drama, I’m hitting you up,” Madeline responded in a flash.

Her overly cheerful voice made Jessica wince.

Jessica thought, ‘This is the kind of woman Brian’s into now?‘

“End of discussion.” Jessica couldn’t stand another second and hung up without waiting for a reply.

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