Chapter 142



Shirley’s gaze followed him as he walked away, and a flush of anger colored her cheeks.

With a swift motion, Shirley turned and hurled the vase from the table to the floor in a fit of rage.

Melinda, the one who had stirred the pot, was taken aback by the turn of events.

As Melinda caught sight of Shirley’s seething expression, she approached cautiously, trying to offer some solace. “Don’t hold it against Jake. It’s probably Kallie, filling his ears with nonsense about you. That’s got to be why he’s acting this way.

Remember, you’re his mom. He truly cares for you.”

A wave of sadness washed over Shirley. “The way he looked at me… it’s as if he doesn’t want me in his life at all anymore,” she murmured.

A flicker of cunning sparked in Melinda’s eyes. “Honestly, he was out of line today. You’ve always wanted what’s best for him, yet he can’t see that and treats you this way! If Dean had been in his place, he certainly wouldn’t have treated you like this.”

Shirley paused, her tears subsiding as she regarded Melinda with a puzzled look. “Isn’t Dean on the brink of divorcing you? And yet you still defend him?”

Melinda managed a sheepish grin. “Dean and I are tangled up in some misunderstandings, but we’re still together. I’m not ready to walk away from him. I need your support. Think about your granddaughter. She’s still so young. What would become of her if I left?”

Shirley rubbed her temples, her voice cold and threatening. “I’ll help you this time, but if you get Dean into trouble again, you can’t blame me for what comes next.”

Melinda quickly nodded, her expression one of complete submission. “I promise I’ll heed your advice.”

Shirley exhaled softly, her gaze shifting to the doorway, her eyes darkening. “You know, you’re right. Dean would never treat me this way. Jake may be my brightest child, but his sharpness makes him difficult to manage. He has never been as compliant as Dean, even since he was a boy.”

Melinda sensed her words had struck a chord with Shirley. A subtle smile of triumph played on her lips.

Meanwhile, Kallie was reeling from pain and dizzy. Jake, without gentleness, shoved her into the car.

Kallie’s pain intensified, draining the color from her face as she began to shake.

Edgar noticed Kallie’s dire state and was about to intervene, but he hesitated when he caught sight of Jake’s icy glare.

“Kallie, even if they had beaten you to death today, you wouldn’t have turned to me for help, would you?” Jake’s voice was tense, his dark eyes alight with a fierce anger he couldn’t suppress.

Jake snatched Kallie’s phone and pressed the power button forcefully three times. Just then, his phone began to ring.

Jake had set up a special emergency contact feature on Kallie’s phone, knowing she might face trouble and be unable to speak. He had designated himself as her emergency contact.

Kallie avoided Jake’s gaze, unable to formulate a response.

She never intended to reach out to him, not even to seek his assistance. Considering their impending divorce, what was the point in disturbing him once more?

“You don’t want to talk to me, huh?” Jake’s irritation flared as Kallie deliberately turned away.

Jake leaned forward abruptly, seizing her chin with a forceful grip.

Overwhelmed by pain, Kallie barely clung to consciousness. She weakly attempted to push his hand away but lacked the strength. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, landing on Jake’s hand with warmth.

The sight of Kallie sobbing so intensely momentarily softened Jake’s stern expression.

Kallie parted her lips, attempting to speak, but only managed to produce faint whimpers along with muffled words.

Jake was taken aback and leaned in closer.

Kallie clasped his hand, her voice cracking as she whispered, “Jake… Jake.”

Rooted to the spot for a moment, Jake then swept Kallie into his arms, slammed the car door, and commanded Edgar, “Drive to the hospital, now!”

When Kallie came to the Reeves family as a child, she had called Jake in that tone.

Initially, Jake felt little warmth toward Kallie, who had unexpectedly entered his life.

However, as time passed, he recognized his initial judgment had been mistaken.

Jake, always lousy at communication and explaining his thoughts, only stepped in to defend Kallie when she was bullied, a way he deemed as making amends.

In gratitude, Kallie struggled to articulate “Jake” despite her impaired vocal cords.

Jake, concerned for her well-being, had lashed out, though his words were harsh, “You don’t have to strain yourself to make me happy. Do you realize how harsh your voice sounds?”

Kallie, stung by his words, turned away, and Jake caught a glimpse of the tears streaking down her face.

At that time, Jake almost ran after her to apologize, but something held him back. Perhaps, he reasoned, it was better if Kallie kept her distance from someone like him.

From that day forward, Jake never heard Kallie call him “Jake” in that tone again. Instead, she observed him with wide, wary eyes, reminiscent of a scared deer.

Jake struggled to grasp Kallie’s thoughts and concluded that she must be frightened of him.

Later on, Roderick decided to pass the leadership of the Reeves family to Jake.

This responsibility meant Jake would have even less free time. A person in such a high position could not afford to show any weakness.

At that time, Jake was still youthful and inexperienced, barely able to fend for himself, much less protect anyone else. Hidden enemies lurked, ready to pounce at the first sign of a slip-up, eager to bring him down.

During that period, Jake grew increasingly weary and detached, suspecting everyone of having hidden agendas. His bond with Kallie only worsened.

Whenever Kallie furrowed her brow, Jake couldn’t help but think she saw him as some kind of unpredictable monster.

Later, Linsey introduced Ethan into Kallie’s life.

Jake, observing as a man, could see the feelings Ethan harbored for her. Linsey had noticed that as well. However, Kallie, ever blind to such matters, remained in the dark.

The situation came to a head when Roderick presented Jake with two choices. Either Jake would marry Kallie or vow to protect her as a brother for the rest of his life.

Jake chose to marry Kallie. He couldn’t bear the thought of letting her go. Perhaps Kallie was disappointed in him because of his decision. The bright, cheerful girl Kallie once was seemed to disappear almost instantly, replaced by someone more cautious and visibly saddened.

Deep inside, Jake agonized over whether marrying him was such a terrible fate for Kallie. He had harbored this question for a long time, yet he never mustered the courage to voice it.

Irritated and craving a cigarette, Jake glanced down at the sleeping Kallie in his arms and restrained himself.

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