They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269

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Outside the clinic, Madeline stood huddled against the opposite corridor, her face hidden under a large hood as she scrolled through articles about

mental health.

She thought, ‘This is the second time in just a few days I spotted Jessica coming here for therapy. Clearly, Jessica’s issues are serious if she needs to see a shrink so often.‘

‘Too bad I wasn’t able to figure out exactly what’s

time.‘

She debated whether to wait until Jessica left and try to

for information, or sneak inside and attempt to eavesdrop.

Before she could make up her mind, a door slammed open across the hall.

Lost in thought, Madeline assumed it was just another patient and kept her head down until a shadow loomed over her.

She looked up sharply, coming face–to–face with Jessica’s stony expression.

Madeline’s eyes widened in panic. Without hesitation, she spun around to flee.

But Jessica grabbed her arm in a vice–like grip. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Madeline wriggled desperately, but Jessica’s hold was too strong. Trapped, she hissed, “I don’t know you. Let go of me.”

Jessica wasn’t in the mood for games. “Cut the crap, Madeline. We need to talk.”

She added coolly, “Unless you’d prefer I call Brian and let him handle this?”

Madeline froze. She believed Jessica wouldn’t do that but didn’t want to test whether Jessica was bluffing.

She thought, ‘If Brian finds out I ignored his orders to leave town and instead stalked Jessica, I’m in big trouble.‘

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to look calm.

“Fine, you caught me. No use denying it. What do you want?” She tried to sound confident, relying on her supposed knowledge of Jessica to keep her

nerves in check.

Jessica glanced up and down the empty hallway, then released her arm. “Come with me.”

This wasn’t the place to have a private conversation.

Madeline sauntered after her nonchalantly.

Jessica led the way to the stairwell.

The dim, shadowy light made it impossible to read each other’s expressions clearly.

“Quiet enough for you, Jessica? What the hell do you want to talk about? If you don’t start now, I’m outta here,” Madeline snapped, taking the offensive.

“Why have you been stalking me?” Jessica demanded bluntly.

Madeline scoffed, “Who’s stalking? Can’t I be here for an appointment too?”

“Cut the crap,” Jessica shot back. “Let me guess, your ‘appointment‘ involved badgering the doctor about my issues?”

Madeline’s face froze. She hadn’t expected Jessica to know that.

‘Did Dr. Finch tell her? But they’re just doctor patient. Why meddle?‘ she cursed Wesley in her head.

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Chapter 269

She said, “Can’t I be curious? It’s hilarious seeing Miss Self–Assured sneaking off to therapy. Did my being with Brian send you over the edge? I’d feel so guilty.”

She leaned in with a smug grin. “Jessi, don’t tell me you’re messed up because of us.”

Jessica swatted her face away. “Stop deluding yourself. I couldn’t care less about you two, Work’s just been stressing me out. Funny, though, Brian said he sent you abroad. Yet here you are. Does he know you stayed?”

Her eyes bored into Madeline’s, watching for the slightest tell.

Madeline seethed at the thought of Brian discussing her departure with Jessica.

She thought, ‘I used it to rile her, but Brian’s using it to suck up? If he wants to play games, I’ll up the ante.

Thinking about how her being with Brian had messed Jessica up so badly, she laid a hand on her stomach and smiled sickly sweetly, “Of course he knows. Brian asked me to stay.”

Jessica’s eyelids gave an involuntary twitch at the gesture.

She wondered, ‘What the hell is she hinting at?”

The next instant, Madeline leaned in, her breath hot in Jessica’s ear.”

She said, “Jessi, did you not know? I’m pregnant too. Brian wanted to keep me under wraps for now. He’s worried you’ll flip out. Once I have the baby and your situation settles, we’ll announce our news.”

She let out a dramatic sigh. “I actually envy you sometimes. Even divorced, Brian still dotes on you. Me? I grew up rough with a hardy constitution. He doesn’t fuss over me even though I’m carrying his kid.”

Jessica fought back a wave of nausea.

She thought, ‘Madeline always knows exactly how to twist the knife.‘

“You think this is something to brag about?” Jessica’s hand curled into a fist in the shadows, forcing herself to stay calm.

Madeline feigned confusion. “Why would you say that? What’s there to brag about?

“The real champ is you. How many women get more attention from their ex after splitting than when they were married? You must have a magic trick. Wanna let me in on it?”

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