All Chapters of THE THORNES: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Jessica woke with a bang. Her head was heavy, with a dull ache that pulsed through her temples.A wave of nausea sprung increasingly within her, and she stumbled to the bathroom, the porcelain bowl her only refuge.She was sweating profusely. Just last night, she was okay. What was suddenly wrong? She wondered.Minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, her reflection in the mirror, a pale and drawn image of herself.“Oh gosh! You look a mess, Jess!” She said to herself.While gently prepping for the day's order, a glance at her phone revealed a string of missed calls and unread messages.Upon seeing Mike's name at the top of the list, a feeling of something close to a sting picked her.A sudden surge of apprehension too.“Argh! Let me be, will you?” She Said furiously.Text message: “Please pick up my calls. I miss you and the times together. I know I messed up, let me come back. I promise to make amends.”More texts of him pleading and wanting a second chance brought more ache

Liam paced the waiting room, his mind racing with a million terrifying possibilities. He replayed their interactions, searching for any clues that might explain her sudden collapse as Ann had explained to him.Ann joined him, her face pale and drawn. "I don't know what happened," she said, her voice shaky and her eyes, almost in tears. "One minute she was having a headache but gradually getting better….. the next..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.Liam took her hand, offering silent comfort. The room echoed with the sound of the ticking clock as they sat in nervous quiet. Every minute seemed to go on forever.Finally, a doctor emerged from the emergency room. He was a tall, gaunt man with tired eyes. "Mr. Thorne, Ms. Francis?" he asked, his voice filled with sympathy.Liam and Ann stood up, their hearts pounding."Jessica is being moved to the ICU. She has a severe case of pneumonia," the doctor explained. "We're doing everything we can."A wave of relief washed ove

The imposing figure of Evelyn Thorne commanded attention as she walked into the conference room.Not the usual days that Jessica was used to but it felt rather urgent, given the way the senior and high board members filled the conference room.Evelyn’s impeccably tailored suit and sharp features exuded an aura of power and authority. Her eyes were as sharp as an eagle and the glint of mascara around them made them further piercing.Miss Beth had followed Evelyn like a chick behind the mother-hen every step of the way from the moment she stepped foot into TRIX.There in the conference room, well seated by her right-hand side was Liam. Jessica, seated on her left-hand side, directly opposite Liam couldn't help but feel a surge of nervous anticipation. Something was intimidating about the older woman, a silent demand for respect.Liam seemed unfazed by his mother’s presence. His posture was relaxed, his expression confident. He was obviously used to the limelight, something he had recei

Evelyn walked back to her seat opposite Jessica. Now, Jessica had learned to look the woman before her in the eye.Maybe she didn't appreciate how timid she had appeared.Jessica immediately adjusted herself as the woman sat.“.... You know why I called you here?” Evelyn asked.“Certainly not.” “—But I'd suggest it's business and cooperate” “Well, you're wrong,” Evelyn answered.Jessica shook in fear of what Evelyn might say next. Why had she invited her in if not for the matters of TRIX?“..... Are you always this shaken with Liam?” She asked, taking a rest back in her seat.“Sometimes…” she replied.“..... Judging from what I saw at the conference room, not so often I guess.”“He's fond of you, I believe.” She continued.Jessica felt a surge of adrenaline by Evelyn's words. “It's in good faith….. We work closely together, so I suppose that could be the reason for that.”“Hmm…. I'm not disputing that. In fact, that's why I asked to see you.” “.... Because of Mr. Liam?” Jessica a

“What do you want?” Jessica asked bluntly “Jessica, please, can we talk?” Mike asked quickly.Jessica scoffed.“If you hadn't seen me in this part of town, you wouldn't have asked to talk, so what is it you want now?” She stormed at him.“I really wish you would give me an audience and hear me speak…. — I called and texted Jess. But you wouldn't respond to any……. And I can understand why.”“I just need the least of your time to explain how I really feel. — explain myself to you.” “..... And you're correct, I'm only asking to talk now because I see you but please just hear me out..”There was a long pause and Jessica stared at him blankly. He looked lost in a way she couldn't quite understand but she knew she didn't have to care.Just then, he made a move to hold her hands but she rejected his touch and spoke quickly after.“I'll listen to what you have to say.” “Can we sit down?” He asked.Jessica stood still, not bulging to his offer and then he pressed further.“Please, Jessica.”