They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 264

Chapter 264

Brian watched Jessica’s retreating figure and immediately called Sylvie, asking her to prepare new ingredients.

He thought, ‘Since Jessi’s cravings have shifted, I’ll need to learn new recipes and take better care of her!

In the elevator, Jessica replayed her exchange with Brian, growing more restless by the moment.

She felt like a stranger to herself.

She wondered, ‘Could pregnancy really alter someone so drastically? I wasn’t this volatile when pregnant with Jake. Am I ill?‘

Jessica couldn’t pinpoint the cause, but she still pressed the button for the cafetería.

She told herself, “I’m just keeping my promise, not doing this for Brian.”

After she ate in the cafeteria and reached her office, drowsiness hit hard.

Noticing her fatigue, she pinched her temples, grabbed a file, and fought to stay awake, but her head soon began to nod.

Dereck, who’d stopped by the office on a whim to check on his daughter, saw this and furrowed his brow.

Thud. Jessica’s head collided with the desk as she nodded off, making Dereck wince.

Still, she lifted her head, bleary–eyed.

Unable to stand it, Dereck pushed open the door. “Jessi, did you get any sleep last night?”

“Dad, Jake doesn’t acknowledge me,” Half–asleep and muddled between nightmare and reality, Jessica spilled her hurt at the sound of her father’s

voice.

“I never turned my back on him. I do care. He’s misjudging me.” Her voice faded.

Dereck steadied his daughter as she swayed, frowning at her dark circles.

He wondered, ‘What’s happening to Jessi?‘

“It’s all right, I’m here. Rest now,” he soothed, patting her back gently, hoping to lull her to sleep as he had when she was little.

He thought, ‘Whatever the issue, easing her exhaustion is the priority.‘

Jessica nodded drowsily and closed her eyes, only to jolt them open again abruptly.

“Dad?” She gaped at her father, rooted to the spot in disbelief.

She thought, ‘Is this actually happening? Dad just dropped by out of the blue, and I spilled my guts like a child.‘

Jessica felt a wave of humiliation so intense that she wished the floor would swallow her up.

“Get some rest if you’re tired! Your well–being comes before anything else,” Dereck said, rubbing her back gently.

But Jessica was adamant. “I’m wide awake. Go on with your day, Dad. Don’t fret over me.”

She refused to let her parents glimpse her weakness.

Dereck’s expression darkened. “How can I got when you look half–dead?”

Jessica stared at the floor, unable to meet his gaze.

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Chapter 264

His frustration boiled over. “Stop keeping things to yourself. Do you have any idea how much your mom and I stress about you?”

Her head sank even lower. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’m a disappointment, making you worry like this.”

Dereck massaged his temples, biting back a sharp retort. “Forget it. I give up. Do whatever you want.”

He knew one more word might make him snap.

As she watched him storm out, Jessica’s eyes stung with unshed tears.

“Jessi, are you holding up okay?” Sana, who’d arrived to drop off files and caught part of the exchange, hurried in, her face etched with worry.

“I’m good,” Jessica lied, pasting on a fake smile.

“Drop the act. It’s killing me to see you like this,” Sana said, her voice thick with empathy.

Jessica’s smile vanished.

“Please, tell me what’s wrong. If not me, then talk to Wesley. You’re not yourself lately,” Sana said.

She had watched Jessica’s mental state deteriorate day by day, and her concern was reaching a breaking point.

Jessica clammed up. Sana didn’t push, instead standing quietly beside her, offering silent support.

Warm sunlight poured through the floor–to–ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over everything.

Jessica felt as if she’d drawn strength from the sun, letting some of the dark mood from last night’s nightmare fade away.

Seeing Sana’s worried expression, she smiled and gave a reassuring nod. “I’ll call him later to arrange a meeting again this weekend. Don’t fret. I’ll be

fine.”

She thought, ‘I won’t let myself fall apart.’

Sana still hesitated and offered to go with her, but Jessica declined.

“What if you run into Madeline?” Sana asked.

“Then I’ll stop her and get answers face–to–face,” Jessica said coolly.

“But what if she tries to cause trouble?” Sana pressed, frowning,

“Relax. She’s not an idiot. If she messe’s with me, she loses everything and ends up in prison. She’s smart enough to know better.”

Jessica was certain of Madeline’s self–preservation instincts.

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