“Why are you here?” Jessica asked, her tone carrying equal parts curiosity and suspicion.
Ethan’ deep voice responded with his usual confidence. “My father insists I accompany you to the Wright family estate.”
Jessica blinked in surprise.
Earlier that day, Jonathan had mentioned the dinner invitation, and she had informed him of her plans to visit the Wright estate in the evening. But he hadn’t said a word about Ethan joining her.
“You have ten minutes,” Ethan added brusquely, cutting off the conversation before Jessica could reply.
Sighing, she quickly changed into more appropriate attire, grabbed her belongings, and made her way to the hospital parking lot. Spotting Ethan’ car, she opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.
The moment she shut the door, Ethan started the car without so much as a greeting.
As they drove, Jessica broke the silence. “You can just drop me off at the Wright family estate. You don’t need to stay, and I won’t mention it to your father.”
Ethan glanced at her briefly, his brows drawing together in a slight frown. “Even if you don’t say anything, that won’t stop my father from checking in with the Wright family to make sure I stayed.”
Jessica fell silent, mulling over his words. Knowing Jonathan’s persistence and his fixation on keeping up appearances, it wasn’t hard to believe he would follow up.
Deciding there was no point in arguing further, Jessica leaned back in her seat and let the rest of the drive pass in silence.
________________________________________
At the Wright Family Home
When they arrived at the Wright estate, Jessica and Ethan stepped out of the car and walked toward the house together.
Inside, Baker was lounging on the living room sofa but leaped to his feet the moment he saw the front door open. Storming toward them, he raised his voice. “You ungrateful woman! Why did you—”
His tirade came to an abrupt halt as his eyes landed on Ethan standing beside Jessica.
Holley appeared from the hallway behind Baker, her steps faltering when she spotted Ethan. Her shock quickly gave way to a bright smile. “Jessica! Mr. Clark! You’re back!”
Her cheerful tone seemed to snap Baker out of his stunned silence. He stumbled over his words, his tone suddenly deferential. “M-Mr. Clark, what brings you here?”
Despite being Ethan’ father-in-law, Baker had always addressed him with excessive formality, never daring to call him by his first name. Knowing Ethan’ indifferent attitude toward Jessica, Baker had learned to tread cautiously around him.
“I’m here to join Jessica for dinner,” Ethan replied coolly, his expression unreadable.
“Welcome, welcome! Please, Mr. Clark, come in,” Baker said quickly, his head bowing slightly as he ushered Ethan into the living room with exaggerated respect.
Once everyone was seated, Ethan leaned back comfortably on the sofa, his sharp gaze settling on Baker. A faint smile touched his lips as he asked, “Mr. Wright, it sounded like you had something important to say to Jessica just now. What was it?”
Ethan’ tone was polite but carried an undercurrent of authority. Despite their years of marriage, Ethan never addressed Baker informally, always keeping a measured distance.
“Uh, I…” Baker faltered, visibly flustered.
Before he could formulate an answer, the sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase.
“Dad, is Jessica back?” came Kylee’s melodic voice.
Moments later, Kylee descended the stairs, her gaze locking onto the scene in the living room. Her steps slowed as she took in the sight of Ethan seated next to Jessica.
Her eyes lit up briefly with excitement, but the light dimmed just as quickly as a realization seemed to cross her mind.
Still, Kylee composed herself swiftly, her voice warm as she greeted them. “Jessica, Ethan, welcome back!”
Jessica returned Kylee’s greeting with a polite nod, though her focus remained on Baker.
She leaned forward slightly, her expression calm but firm. “Dad,” she said, her voice cutting through the room’s uneasy atmosphere, “what were you about to say to me earlier?”
