Chapter 4

The next morning, Jessica said, "Nathaniel, you haven't been yourself these past few days, so I signed you up for a group tour. How about getting away for a few days?"

Nathaniel did a quick calculation. He had five days left before his new name officially took effect.

"How long is the trip?" he asked.

"Three days," Jessica said. "It's just a nearby city, not too far away. I wouldn't feel comfortable letting you travel somewhere farther away on your own."

He agreed. "Okay."

That afternoon, Jessica's driver, Arthur Reed, arrived to pick him up.

"Mr. Scott, I'll drive you to the airport."

Nathaniel said nothing and simply let Arthur drive.

At the airport, Arthur made sure Nathaniel had gone through immigration before hurrying off.

Once he was out of the terminal, he called Jessica.

"Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Scott has boarded his flight."

"Okay," Jessica replied. "Stay there and wait. York's parents will be landing soon. Pick them up and drive them home. Make sure you treat them with respect."

"Understood, Ms. Sullivan."

After Arthur left, Nathaniel found an excuse to slip away from the boarding gate.

He hid in a secluded spot and watched as York's parents emerged from the arrivals area.

He then watched as Arthur hurried over to help them with their luggage, ushered them respectfully into the car, and busied himself loading their suitcases into the trunk.

Nathaniel hailed a taxi. "Follow that car."

After Nathaniel left, Jessica went to pick up York and bring him home.

When Arthur returned with York's parents, Mason Lawrence and Florence Prescott, York eagerly hurried over to greet them.

"Mom, Dad! I finally get to see you again!"

Jessica respectfully opened the door for Mason and Florence, then poured them each a cup of tea.

Her manner was so deferential that she looked every bit the dutiful daughter-in-law.

She apologized. "Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, I'm sorry you had to go abroad while Nathaniel was still around. I know it must have been a hassle for you."

Mason chuckled. "Don't worry about it. You arranged for someone to take us around the world, and we had a wonderful time."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Florence said, "Jessica, you're already carrying the Lawrence family's baby. Why are you still calling us Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence?"

Jessica quickly corrected herself. "Dad, Mom."

"That's more like it!"

Everyone burst into happy laughter.

York kept an arm wrapped around Jessica’s waist the entire time, the gesture intimate and effortless.

He instructed Clara, "Clara, get the guest room ready for my parents."

Clara nodded. "Yes, Mr. Lawrence."

Nathaniel watched it all in silence. He'd known about Jessica's affair for a long time.

But Clara's attitude was the final straw.

So even Clara knew about Jessica and York's affair, casually calling him "Mr. Lawrence."

She was clearly familiar with Mason and Florence too. Their arrival hadn't surprised her in the slightest.

Nathaniel had been the one to hire Clara as their maid in the first place.

Knowing that she had a son with a disability, he had even taken the initiative to triple her salary.

He'd treated her like an elder in the family, inviting her to join them for meals and taking her along on their trips.

And yet, even she had kept the truth from him.

A sharp pain tore through Nathaniel's chest, as if thousands of needles were stabbing into his heart. He doubled over, barely able to stay on his feet.

The nausea surged up again. He began gasping for air, but tears had already welled up, blurring his vision.

He accidentally bumped into the wind chime hanging by the doorway.

The wind chime rang out.

Jessica reacted almost immediately and shouted, "Who's out there?"