Chapter 12
“I told you. If you ever need anything, you can always come to me,” Liam said.
As Jacklyn looked up at him, her eyes were filled with gratide. “Thank you.”
It was almost laughable. The only person who truly cared for her was an outsider.
“What are you two doing?”
Just then, Eugene stormed into the ward. His face twisted with anger.
He had calmed Penelope down and rushed over here, only to find Liam and Jacklyn talking happily like they were newlyweds.
But he was Jacklyn’s husband!
“What’s Liam doing here? What’s your relationship with him?”
Jacklyn’s smile froze. She hadn’t even started to question him, yet he was the one getting angry?
Exhausted and too drained to deal with him, she turned her head away.
Suddenly, Liam chuckled, drawing Eugene’s attention.
“What are you laughing at?” Eugene snapped.
Liam raised an eyebrow and said mockingly, “Your wife’s in a hospital bed, and the first thing you do is question her? Aren’t you supposed to be concerned about her?”
Eugene was rendered speechless.
Realizing he was in the wrong, he calmed himself. He crouched down beside Jacklyn and gently took her hand before stroking it. “Jackie, I’m sorry for coming late. Are you hurt? How are you feeling now?”
Jacklyn was completely done with him. Without a word, she pulled her hand away.
The sound of a phone ringing broke the silence. It was Liam’s.
After listening for a moment, he responded, “Okay, I got it. I’ll be there soon.”
He then glanced at Jacklyn. “I’ve got something to take care of. I’ll get going now.”
As soon as Liam left, Eugene’s face darkened again. “Do you keep in touch with Liam often?”
There was something different about Jacklyn. The Jacklyn he knew wouldn’t let another man get so close to her. And Liam’s look earlier hadn’t seemed like that of a friend.
Jacklyn didn’t rush to explain. Instead, she shot back, “Not as much as you and Penelope.”
Eugene froze, caught off guard. He hadn’t expected Jacklyn who was usually so gentle, to say something like that.
He quickly defended himself, saying, “You’re just overthinking things. Penelope’s your sister. I’m just helping her out because of you. Don’t make it into something it’s not.”
Jacklyn was just too in love with him. That was why she was always so jealous of Penelope.
Eugene spoke with confidence, but a flicker of unease flashed in his eyes, betraying his diffidence.
The ringing of a phone interrupted again. It was Eugene’s this time.
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Chapter 12
+25 BONUS
Penelope was calling.
Her weak voice came through, “Gene, I’m not feeling well, think I have a fever. I’m worried about the baby. Can you come and stay with me?”
Without hesitation, Eugene answered, “I’ll be right there.”
He then turned to Jacklyn. “Jackie, I’ve got something urgent to handle. Take care of yourself.”
Jacklyn sneered. “So, Penelope’s more important than me?
Eugene didn’t have the speaker on, but only Penelope could make him this worried.
One call from her, and he was ready to drop everything to be by her side. He didn’t even care about Jacklyn, who was just pulled from the water.
And he still had the nerve to claim he loved her? How disgusting!
Eugene paused for a moment, but he quickly found another excuse.
“Jackie, don’t forget. Penelope fell into the water because you pushed her. She has a fever now. As her sister, you should be the one to look after her. But since you’re not feeling well, I’m going to take care of her for you.”
Jacklyn studied him for a moment.
How had she never noticed that Eugene was such a smooth liar?
“Rest up. I’ll come check on you after I’m done.”
Eugene, usually so attentive, completely ignored her displeasure and left in a hurry after saying that.
At the Stinson residence, Eugene made a beeline for Penelope’s room.
Penelope and Rebecca were sitting at the table, chatting and laughing. She didn’t seem sick at all.
Upon seeing that, Eugene frowned. “Aren’t you sick?”
Penelope approached him and pretended to faint as she collapsed into his arms. “Gene, my head’s spinning. I feel terrible!”
Eugene helped her sit down. Irritation flashed across his face. He grabbed the thermometer and took her
temperature.
After a moment, he checked it–98.6°F.
“That’s your fever?” His expression darkened instantly, and his tone turned cold and sharp.
Did she think he was stupid?
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Chapter 13
+25 BONUS
Chapter 13
