Husband With Benefits

"Are you sure we should let him meet, Mrs Jenkins?" Autumn asked hesitantly as she looked at the room. Somehow, Gabe’s person had managed to invade the care centre, set up a listening and video device in the room, within a night. Even though this was good for them in a way,s he suddenly realized that her husband was probably a powerful man. And that scared her.

Gregory Savoy was a powerful man too. Only, his power was limited to the police services and his connections to politics. And yet, despite his limited power, he had almost succeeded in ruining her and her mother. So, in comparison, if she ever ended up on the wrong side of Gabe, what would he do?

She jumped when his hand grazed her and he looked at her with a raised brow. He had such gentle eyes... She shook her head. She was scaring herself for no reason. Gabe Frost was too soft in the heart to do her any harm.

"He’s here." SHe nodded and immediately clenched her hands, her fingers gripping. She saw him wince and give her a look from the corner of her eye but ignored it as she stared at the screen intently where Gregory had just entered the room with a doctor.

Mrs. Jenkins sat in her chair, looking frail but dignified, her hands resting on a book she had been ’reading’. The doctor tried to introduce the two and they watched as Mrs Jenkins showed no sign of recognition.

"Mrs. Jenkins," the doctor spoke softly, trying again to coax a response from her. "Do you know who this is? He is a friend of yours from B-Town? Do you remember B-town?"

Mrs Jenkins seemed to have a flicker of recognition at the name of her town but that too soob faded and she continued to stare blankly ahead, her lips pressing into a thin line, giving no indication that she recognized the man in front of her.

Gregory Savoy, however was not put out about this. Instead he made of a show of his concern, and spoke, voice dripping with false sincerity. "It’s alright, Doctor. I understand. Just give us a moment, please. I’ll just say goodbye now even if she is not able to recognise me."

The doctor hesitated, his eyes flicking between Mrs. Jenkins and Savoy. "Alright, but I’ll be just outside if you need anything,". His reluctance was obvious. He didn’t want his patient disturbed for no good reason.

However, as soon as they were alone, Savoy’s demeanor changed, the mask of concern disappearing from his face. He sat opposite Mrs. Jenkins, and gave a sigh worthy of a theatrical award, "Oh, Mrs. Jenkins," he murmured, his voice taking on the patronizing tone that Autumn recognized all too well. "It’s such a pity your condition is worsening so rapidly. A few months ago, you still had many more moments of clarity. You even remembered to send a condolence card to Katherine’s daughter... Autumn."

At the mention of Autumn’s name, Mrs. Jenkins’s eyes snapped into focus. For a brief moment, it was as if the fog had lifted, and she was her old self again. The sudden clarity in her eyes was undeniable, and Savoy’s lips curled into a triumphant smile while Autumn’s hands clenched tighter. While she could not see Mrs Jenkins’ expression very well, the flinch was undeniably a reaction from her.

"Ah, there you are," he said softly, leaning closer. "You remember Autumn, don’t you?"