Jessica returned to the room after dinner but did not see Wyatt coming over.
The housekeeper came over and asked, âMr. Lopez is busy in the study. He wanted me to ask if you need a bath.â
Jessica turned down her offer. âI can do it myself. Iâm familiar with the bathroom.â
âAll right, then.â
Jessica did not know what else to do since she had no phone or television. The fact that she could not see made her feel worse.
After sitting on the bed and zoning out briefly, she got up and walked along the wall to get to the bathroom.
An hour later, she came out of the bathroom and walked close to the wall again to find her way back to the room.
While walking, she accidentally knocked her toes against a cabinet. Jessica gasped in pain and gradually squatted down.
Others might plunge into despair if they had experienced vision loss, but not Jessica. It no longer bothered Jessica.
To her, losing her eyesight was probably the best thing that had happened at this stage.
Suddenly, she recalled what Jacob had said over the phone. âI sent someone to check and received some information. One died from serious injuries in the hospital, while the other passed away in a car accident. Both were cremated, and their ashes are placed at the funeral home.â
Jessica felt so dizzy that she nearly fell. No! No! That canât be true!
Her entire body was shaking, even though she tried not to think about it. Iâm sure Uncle Oliver and Aunt Danielle are still alive.
She believed Wyatt kept them away on purpose because he was worried that she might run away from him again. If I listen to him and do as he says, Iâm sure Wyatt will allow me to meet them.
Oliver and Danielle were the only members left of her family. Jessica could not lose anyone of them.
She tried to convince herself that Wyatt was merely pulling her leg and she would eventually meet them tomorrow. After regaining her composure, she crawled onto the bed and tried to sleep.
Yet, Wyatt did not come to the bedroom despite her waiting for him the whole night.
While she was still in a daze, the housekeeper knocked on the door. âMrs. Lopez, would you like me to bring you downstairs to have breakfast?â
Jessica did not expect time to pass by so quickly. Itâs already morning?
After replying to the housekeeperâs question, she carefully walked to the bathroom to freshen up before leaving the bedroom.
While walking downstairs, she asked, âIs Mr. Lopez downstairs?â
Wyatt was already sitting by the dining table. When he saw Jessica walking down the stairs while standing close to the handrail, he immediately got up and ran to help her. He was worried she might fall as the steps were too tall for her.
Wyatt said, âYou can always get help from the housekeeper. Donât always put on a tough front.â
Jessica hummed in acknowledgment.
After helping her sit on a chair, Wyatt told her to tilt her head so he could drip some medication into her eyes.
During breakfast, none of them talked.
Wyatt was not a quick-tempered person. In the past, he would always try his best to coax her.
Yet, he had become exceptionally quiet after flinging his fork last night. Jessica did not know what to do.
After breakfast, Jessica mustered her courage and said, âLast night, you saidââ
âI remember what I said last night.â Wyatt glanced at her. There were mixed emotions on his face. âIâm giving you a chance to call your uncle. Ask him if they want to come over.â
Jessicaâs lifeless eyes instantly sparkled with hope.
She was overwhelmed by emotions. I knew it! I knew Uncle Oliver and Aunt Danielle were still alive!
Feeling anxious, Jessica grabbed her skirt and fidgeted. Many questions popped into her mind as she was trying to figure out what to say to her uncle.
Wyatt gave her a phone and said, âHere. Your uncle is on the phone now. Talk to him.â
Jessicaâs hands were still trembling. It took her some time to place the phone to her ear. After steadying her breathing, she tentatively called out, âUncle Oliver?â
âJessica, itâs me.â A familiar voice emerged from the other end of the phone. âHow have you been?â
Tears were about to spring from her eyes when she heard the familiar voice. It was a voice she had missed dearly.
Jessica wanted to ask how they had been, but after opening her mouth, tears rolled uncontrollably down her cheeks.
âUncle...â She burst into tears and could no longer formulate her thoughts into words.
Not long ago, she plunged into despair when she spoke to Jacob over the phone. At that point, she really thought Oliver and Danielle were dead.
âAll right, Jessica. Donât cry anymore,â Oliver comforted her. âMr. Lopez took good care of us. We didnât dare to disturb you because we know youâre not feeling well.â
Jessica tightened her grip on the phone and said in between sobs, âUncle Oliver, I miss you and Aunt Danielle. Whereâs she? I wish to talk to her. Can I visit you?â
âShe hasnât been feeling well lately,â Oliver said, âMr. Lopez told me youâre pregnant. Take good care of yourself and the baby.
Weâll visit you once Aunt Danielle recovers, okay?â
âHow is she feeling? Howâs her headache?â Jessica asked further, âI miss you guys. I want to see you.â
âItâs still manageable. Iâm here to look after her, so donât worry. Jessica, I want you to take good care of yourself and your baby.
Stop worrying about us all the time, all right?â Oliver said.
Jessica sniffled and replied with a hum.
âItâs time for me to help Aunt Danielle with her medicine. Iâll call you again, Jessica.â
âUncle...â
Jessica was reluctant to end the call as she had not spoken to Oliver for a long time. Yet, before she could continue, Oliver hung up on her.
She pleaded with Wyatt, âCan you take me to them? I miss them very much.â
Wyatt lifted his head and wiped the tears off her cheeks. He could not help but feel sorry for her.
Oliver and Danielle were dead quite some time ago. He knew they were Jessicaâs only family, and she refused to believe they were no longer alive.
To fulfill his promise, Wyatt called someone to gather information about Oliver, extract his voice from video clips, and employ artificial intelligence to recreate his voice.
In other words, the man on the phone was not Oliver but someone who used the voice changer to speak to Jessica.
Jessica held his hands and stroked them against her cheeks. âI wish to see them, please. Just a while will do. Iâll do anything you say, okay?â
âAll right. But not now,â Wyatt said while continuing to make up stories, âSince your uncle said your aunt was unwell and needed to recuperate.â
âItâs okay. I can wait.â Jessica stopped crying and gave him a relieved smile. âI knew you hid them away from me. I know you wouldnât lie to me.â
âTheyâll visit you once they feel better, but you must listen to me and do as I say.â
âYes, I will. Iâll not do anything against your will.â
It seemed like Jessicaâs appetite had improved after talking to Oliver and learning they were doing well. She gulped down the garlic shrimp pasta and did not develop any morning sickness.
As usual, Wyatt stayed home to accompany Jessica instead of going to the office. He even hired a gynecologist to come over to inspect the baby.
After the checkup, the gynecologist told Wyatt in private. âJessica might not be able to keep the baby as sheâs not in good shape now. She should focus on taking care of her body first.â
The ashen-faced Wyatt gazed out of the window. Disappointment filled his eyes. I didnât do my best to protect her, causing her to lose her twins. And itâs my fault that sheâll be losing this baby too.
After a short pause, Wyatt replied in a hoarse voice, âLetâs not think of the baby anymore. We should focus on her health. When can we schedule her surgery?â
The gynecologist glanced at the man and replied sympathetically, âRight now, you should take good care of her. Iâll be back in another two weeks to do another checkup for her. Weâll talk about her surgery only if her condition worsens.â
Wyatt swallowed the fluid lodged in his throat and hummed in response.