Chapter 4

Chris actually found it quite strange.

According to Jessica’s usual character, as long as Michael was around, how could she possibly still notice him?

The fact that she messaged repeatedly today was already rare, and in Jessica’s view, if he still wanted to maintain the marriage, he should have taken the opportunity to make peace.

But now, he no longer cared about Jessica’s opinion.

So he didn’t reply to Jessica’s message, left his phone on silent, and set it aside.

He wouldn’t return to that house either, if Jessica wanted to delete his fingerprint access, so be it.

He had thought that this was the limit of what Jessica would do. If he didn’t go back, that would be it.

Since Michael was by her side, of course her first love was more important.

But unexpectedly, in the middle of the night, the door was suddenly unlocked.

Chris, groggy from sleep, sat up abruptly.

The lights in the room flicked on with a sharp click.

Under the white light, Chris saw Jessica standing at the door, her face vaguely tinged with anger. For a moment, he didn’t even know where he was.

Even when they lived together, he and Jessica had been sleeping in separate rooms for a long time.

Jessica often came home late, saying she didn’t want to disturb him. But in reality, ever since Michael returned, she had started preserving her chastity for him.

Chris understood and wasn’t too bothered about it, so he let her be.

“What are you doing here...” Chris instinctively pulled the blanket higher over himself.

Jessica curved her lips into a smile. The fine coat she wore made her figure look even more stunning. Though her eyes still held anger and weariness, they couldn’t conceal her beauty.

Five years of marriage seemed to have only worn down Chris’s edges, while Jessica hadn’t changed at all.

“Well then, learned how to run away from home now, have you?” Jessica took off her coat and walked over to Chris.

She stood beside the bed, looking down at him from above, then smirked after a pause.

“You’ve been in this house for years, and now you’ve learned to run away? Chris, don’t you think that’s pathetic?”

He hadn’t expected Jessica to show up just to scold him.

Chris stared at her in shock, his brows furrowing tightly.

Being woken in the middle of the night with that kind of attitude—anyone would be upset.

Especially considering they were in the process of getting a divorce, he had no reason to appease her anymore.

“If I’m pathetic, what did you come here for?” Chris looked up at Jessica. “What, did Mr. Hall leave?”

The moment he said that, he saw Jessica’s expression stiffen slightly, and he immediately understood.

“I just left, and Mr. Hall moved into the house. With your dream man and a wonderful night, I really don’t know what you came here for.”

In five years of marriage, this was the first time Chris spoke to Jessica in such a sarcastic tone. She was surprised but figured it was understandable—after all, Michael had moved in. Chris was bound to be upset, so she tried to placate him.

“What are you so upset about? I already said, Michael and Jordan just don’t have a place to stay for now. We have plenty of rooms in the house, it’s not like they’re using the master bedroom. It won’t affect you.”

“Jessica, you didn’t forget that you already signed the papers that day, did you?” Chris asked cautiously.

Jessica nodded immediately. “Of course I didn’t. I already agreed to adopt the child with you. What are you still making a fuss about? I asked you to come back and take care of Jordan because I hoped you could start getting used to raising a child. After all, we’re going to have one of our own, too.”

Chris fell silent.

So that was how it was. No wonder Jessica signed so readily that day, not even reading the clauses—she thought the document was an adoption agreement all along.

Seeing Jessica so confident, Chris couldn’t help but sneer. To avoid complications, he didn’t correct her about the divorce agreement.

“Let’s go home,” Jessica said as she tugged at the blanket.

But Chris replied, “You can head back home by yourself. Sophie already said it’s your house and has nothing to do with me. I know when to back off—I won’t show up where I’m not welcome. Besides, it’s best if Mr. Hall takes care of his own child. If anything happens while he’s with me, I won't bear the consequences.”

“Chris!” Jessica suddenly shouted, her patience wearing thin.

Chris cocked his brows and pointed at the door. “If you want to yell, do that at home. Yell all you want at Mr. Hall and his child. This is a hotel—disturbing other guests’ rest isn’t very considerate.”

It was already past midnight. Jessica had come with the cold and now she left with fury.

Chris let out a long sigh of relief and lay back down again.

Darkness returned to the room. He stared at the ceiling.

No wonder Jessica signed so easily and didn’t even throw a sarcastic remark—she hadn’t even looked at the content. Had he known, he would have snuck a few extra properties into the terms.

At that thought, Chris chuckled softly.

He didn’t want anything from Jessica.

As long as he could leave her behind, he could return to a normal life. He believed that with his own ability, he wouldn’t live badly.

He had thought he could smoothly leave for Desland and begin adapting to a new life. But unexpectedly, there was a last-minute issue with his passport.

Chris sighed. If fate had arranged this, he could only stay a few more days.

In the CEO’s office of the Wilder Group.

Jessica stared out the window, dazed.

Chris still refused to come home.

Last night, when he didn’t return to cook, Jessica had to order oat porridge from a restaurant for Jordan. After Sophie left, she had already found out where Chris was and planned to go see him.

But Michael said, “Mr. Green must be upset. How about I go with you?”

“What about Jordan?”

“She already took her medicine and fell asleep. It’s fine—I’ll go with you to explain,” Michael said earnestly. “Mr. Green is being unreasonable. You and I are just friends—why would he be angry? Could it be that he thinks I’m a homewrecker?”

When she heard that, something about it didn’t sit well with her.

She sensed something off in his words, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.