Chapter 39
Tessa wondered if it would be inappropriate to enter at that moment.
From side, she heard Stephen’s calm voice. “I’ll call the mucse.”
Jacqueline refused to let it go. She continued to whine, “No, I want you to feed me yourself. Why won’t you do it, Stephen?”
Stephen gently replied, “Be good. You’re not a child anymore. Besides, I have a girlfriend now. I’m about to get engaged to Tess. We need to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings
Tessa’s heart stirred slightly at his words. She hadn’t expected Stephen to reject Jacqueline’s request because of her.
Jacqueline’s tone shifted abruptly, losing its sweetness altogether. Her voice grew sharp as she retorted, “We need to avoid misunderstandings, even as siblings? Does that mean Tessa is petty and narrow- minded?
“She caused my accident. Now, instead of caring for me, you’re refusing my request because of her?” Tessa tumed and prepared to leave. She didn’t want to force her way into such an uncomfortable situation. There was no need to impose when Jacqueline clearly didn’t want her there.
Stephen’s voice carried a hint of anger. “Jacqueline, I’ve told you before. Tessa is going to be your sister- in-law in the future. You need to treat her with respect.” At that exact moment, a nurse approached the hospital ward with an IV bag. Seeing Tessa at the door, the nurse paused and said, “Excuse me, could you please let me though?
Both Stephen and Jacquline turned toward the doorway at the nurse’s voice. They finally noticed Tessa standing there.
the room.
Tessa sighed softly and followed the nurse into th
Jacqueline’s eyes were filled with undisguised disdain when she saw Tessa. She demanded, “What are you doing here?”
Stephen spoke nearly at the same time. “Tessa, you’re here.”
Unperturbed by the growing tension, the nurse set up the IV drip for Jacqueline, who stared at Tessa coldly. Her hostile glare bore into Tessa like daggers,
Tessa met Jacqueline’s glare without flinching and said, “Are you accusing me of causing your accident?- Jacqueline hadn’t expected Tessa to remain calm and composed. She had hoped for Tessa to panic or feel flustered after the incident.
Tessa’s steady demeanor caught Jacqueline off guard. However, she maintained her composure,
She wasn’t about to lose control of the narrative, so she avoided Tessa’s question. Instead, she tumed to Stephen with teary eyes and a pitiful expression.
“Stephen, I know I didn’t leave a good impression on Tessa when we first met. That’s why I wanted to spend time with her today. I just wanted to get closer to her since she’ll be my sister-in-law soon,” Jacqueline cried.
Tears glistened in Jacqueline’s eyes as she continued, “I thought asking her to teach me how to ride would help bridge the gap between us. I didn’t expect her to dislike me so much. When I wasn’t paying attention, she suddenly kicked the horse’s side. It bolted like it had lost its mind! I was terrified.” Jacqueline was a true drama queen. She choked with sobs as she accused Tessa with her whole chest. “Tessa, I get that you don’t like me. But we don’t have any grudges between us. Why would you do something so cruel to me?”
When she was finished with her performance, Jacqueline subtly glanced at Stephen to see his reaction. Stephen’s brows furrowed slightly. However, his voice remained calm as he asked, “Tessa, what exactly happened at the equestrian center this afternoon?”
Under the blanket, Jacqueline’s uninjured hand clenched into a tight fist
She was furious that Stephen didn’t believe her. Why was he being so gentle with Tessa?
When she was bullied back in middle school, Stephen had the bullies expelled
In high school, he ensured that the delinquents who harassed her were beaten until they ended up in the hospital.
In university, a stalker had followed and photographed her. Stephen had someone cripple the man’s hand.
Now, she laid in the hospital bed with injuries all over her. This time, however, Stephen didn’t immediately take her side. Instead, he calmly checked with Tessa for her side of the story.
Stephen’s reaction caused jealousy to flare within Jacqueline like wildfire. She wanted to lunge at Tessa and beat her up where she stood.