6. Her Innocence Facàde

“Dr. Olivia, I know you don't like me. But, anyway, I want to thank you.” Jessica stepped forward, stopping a few inches from me.

I thought she had left with Theo after dinner. 

Why did she follow me?

What does she mean? 

“I don't get it,” I replied, expressing my confusion. “For what do you thank me?”

If it's for treating her leg, I think we've long passed that. 

Jessica has already thanked me at the hospital. If she hadn't summoned me then, I wouldn't have been graced with the opportunity to realize that she was actually Theo’s first love. 

Wasn't it too coincidental?

Was it merely fate?

“First of all, I'd like to thank you again for saving my leg.” Jessica smiled. “Secondly, I appreciate that you agreed to let me and Theo be together. Back then, we were forced to separate, and I thought we could never be together. Now you agreed to the divorce..."

"Who said I agreed to divorce?” I interrupted her, finding her words puzzling and her kindness strange, in fact.

I wonder how she was able to make that conclusion. 

I might not have a choice in this, but did Theo tell her I've agreed to the divorce? 

Jessica stilled, obviously stunned at my reply. 

“Theo and I are still legally married,” I went on, unfazed by her gentle facàde. “You're the mistress, yet, so bold enough to step into the Wellington Household uninvited.” 

I've seen her types and even heard of them. Never did I expect I'd get to experience it in person.

Theo bumping into me in Jessica's ward at the hospital shouldn't be a mere coincidence. 

“As a public figure, Jessica…” I chuckled softly. “Aren't you ashamed of your actions?”

Because they are too predictable.

First, she acted pitiful and scared during dinner. And now, she confronts me privately. Isn't this a typical way of a pretentious mistress?

Jessica's eyes dimmed. 

The shocked look on her face faded away, replaced by a dark smile that curled up her lips. 

“You're not dumb as I've heard,” Jessica laughed, putting down her Innocence facàde. 

“However, Dr. Olivia.” Folding her hands, she snickered. “I must remind you. In love, the one who isn't valued should be the one to leave.”

Indeed, Theo doesn't value me. 

If he respects our relationship a bit, he wouldn't have reunited with his first love before we even got a divorce. 

“Even if we're talking about who came first, Theo and I were together first. So where's this 'mistress' talk coming from?” Jessica added. “As for you, have you ever been acknowledged? Has Theo ever loved you openly?”

Her expression was both shy and content as she continued, “Oh, by the way, guess how my career has developed over the years? It's all because of Theo's support. In the past three years, he's flown to France so many times, all for me. If it weren't for the resources he provided, I wouldn't have become a top-tier supermodel in just a few years.”

Seriously? 

So my intuition wasn't wrong that they've kept in touch. 

Theo often went to France for business trips and would be away for several days each time he was on the trip. 

“Also, have you ever thought about this…” Jessica added. “If Theo wasn’t trying to please his grandfather, why would he have married you? You’re just the sacrifice of his filial piety.”

It's true that he only married me because of his grandfather's orders. 

Funny how every word she said is right. But I won't give Jessica the satisfaction she craves. 

Folding my hands, I returned her smile. “No matter how much you say, it won't change the fact that I am the granddaughter-in-law of the Wellington family and Theo's legal wife.”

And honestly, I don't have her time. 

I'd rather be doing something useful than getting caught up in this ‘mistress’ drama.  

Ignoring the bitter look on Jessica's face, I glanced at my wristwatch and turned to leave,

However, a piercing scream made me halt. 

Jessica suddenly fell to the ground and cried, “What’s this supposed to mean, Dr. Olivia? I only wanted to thank you for treating my leg, why did you push me!?”

It seems like I've underestimated her. 

We're several inches apart, how did I suddenly grow magical hands and push her? 

Stunned at Jessica's action, I turned around to get a proper look at her. 

Her screams caused a commotion in no time and several footsteps approached the area.

It's as if Theo’s mother and sister were nearby. 

When they came and saw Jessica's situation, they didn't think twice before taking sides. 

“Tsk! You must be tired of living, Olivia. What gave you the audacity to bully my brother’s future wife?” Tania helped her up from the ground. 

“Ah! Why did you go near this crazy girl, My Dear?” Theo's mother held Jessica. “You know that she'll be jealous of you. What if she had done worse?”

Jessica sobbed. 

She wiped her fake tears and hugged the woman. “Although Theo chose me instead of her, I don't want to be enemies with Dr. Olivia because she saved my life.”

So much for being a model. 

Jessica should have been an actress, then she would undoubtedly win all the awards in the world. 

“All I wanted was to thank her.” She pulled away. “I never thought Dr. Olivia would hold a grudge and push me. Now my leg hurts.”

“You're so pitiful, Dear.” Theo's mother wiped her tears. “Olivia has no right to bully you because she snatched Theo from you first. I will make sure she learns her lesson.”

Witnessing the drama in front of me, I was so engrossed that I didn't notice Theo’s appearance until I felt him grip my arm. 

“What did you do this time, Olivia? I thought you were mature enough to avoid unnecessary drama.” He turned me around, his eyes flashing with fury. “Apart from scheming to make Grandpa angry, you bullied Jessica as well. Aren't you shameless?”

Arguing is pointless. 

As everyone is siding with Jessica, what's the point in trying to clear my name? 

His mother and sister would automatically take Jessica's side because they don't like me, but I thought Theo was sane enough to realize I wouldn't stoop so low.

Disappointed, I shrugged my arm off his hold and walked away. 

Besides, if I stayed here any longer, the conflict could escalate, and that would only disturb his grandfather, who's already disheartened. 

Outside the mansion, I stopped a taxi and got inside, ignoring the burning ache in my heart. 

But the moment I sat inside the taxi, a sharp and intense pain gripped my belly.