Chapter 7

Thaddeus didn't wait for Jessamine to say anything. He lifted her up and placed her on his lap. It took Jessamine a few seconds to react, but by the time she did, she was already perched on his lap with her head pressed against his chest.

She could hear the sound of his strong heartbeat. For a second, it made her feel like she was someone Thaddeus wanted to protect with his life. She knew they were about to divorce, yet she still couldn't help savoring the feeling of him holding her.

It was different from when they slept together. Jessamine's heart was racing so quickly that it seemed it would jump out of her chest soon.

Jessamine told herself that this would be her last moment of unbridled enjoyment.

Jordan tried his best to drive as steadily as he could, but Jessamine couldn't help dry heaving a few more times. Her stomach felt like it was burning. She couldn't tell whether it was from the hunger or the vomiting.

When they arrived at Islington Apartments, Thaddeus got out of the car and strode into the building. He left the tired Jessamine and Jordan in the car.

Jessamine rolled down the window. She felt better after breathing in the fresh air from outside. More importantly, the cause of her frustration wasn't around anymore.

"Do you have a girlfriend, Mr. Rhodes?"

Jordan was caught off guard by Jessamine's sudden question. He thought she wanted to introduce someone to him, so he quickly said, "I met someone on a blind date recently, and we've already met each other's families. We're gonna get married soon."

Jessamine pursed her lips and hummed in acknowledgment. "That's pretty nice. Congratulations. Why don't you give this necklace to your fiancée? The ruby's of good quality, and I think most women would love it."

Jordan broke out in a cold sweat when he saw the exquisite box Jessamine held out to him. "Mrs. Holt, there are only two of these necklaces in the whole world. One is reserved for the press conference, and the other is the one you're holding now. It's Mr. Holt's gift to you!"

Jordan would never dare to accept the necklace. Setting aside the price it would fetch, it was also a symbol of Jessamine's status as Thaddeus' wife. Thaddeus would murder him if he found out about this.

Every season, when Holt Jewelry launched new pieces, Thaddeus would always give one to Jessamine. No one else enjoyed such a privilege.

"Mrs. Holt, you should just keep it. Mr. Holt would kill me if he were to hear you say something like this," Jordan said while looking around. He sagged in relief when he didn't see Thaddeus anywhere.

Jessamine didn't force the necklace on him when she saw how scared he was. She carelessly stuffed it into her bag. "Alright, then. I'll give it to someone else if you don't want it."

She mainly wanted to get rid of it because the sight of the necklace got on her nerves. She did some mental calculations and realized Thaddeus had already been gone for a while. Who knew what he and Amy were up to?

Maybe they were already getting it on. It was ridiculous—she was Thaddeus' wife, yet she'd come with him to his lover's apartment. She was even waiting for him downstairs like a fool.

Upstairs in the building, Thaddeus exited the elevator and entered the apartment after scanning his fingerprint. As soon as the door opened, Amy threw herself into his arms.

"Where does it hurt, Amy? How bad do you feel? Let's go to the hospital now."

Amy had purposely put on some makeup before Thaddeus had arrived. She'd curled her hair and sprayed some perfume on it. It cascaded over her shoulders, giving her a classy and elegant look.

She looked spirited and healthy. Unlike her earlier claims, she wasn't the least bit sick. She wrapped her arms tightly around Thaddeus' waist and pressed her body to his.

"I felt really bad earlier, Ted. I don't know whether my heart's acting up. Why don't you feel it and let me know?"

Thaddeus had been too anxious earlier to think things through. Now that he could see that Amy was fine, he calmed down. His sense of rationality returned to him. "Let me go."

He held his hands up in a gesture of surrender, not daring to touch Amy. He couldn't help feeling a little irritated by her holding him so tightly. "Amy, don't joke around about things like this in the future."

Amy reluctantly released him. Seeing how serious and stern he looked, she was scared.

"Don't be mad at me. I just really missed you. Can you stay the night? I made your favorite meatballs."

"I have something on today. Let's take a rain check on this."

Seeing that she was fine, Thaddeus turned to leave. Jessamine was sick and waiting for him downstairs. He couldn't help worrying about her.

Amy panicked when she saw him leaving.