Chapter 283: Jessy...are you married?
Jessica noted the unwavering resolve in Lady Matilda’s eyes and exhaled heavily. It was clear—there would be no changing of her mind. This time, she was trapped. Doomed. With no route for escape.
She rubbed her brow, frustration settling in her chest like heavy stones. Her mind spiraled back to the dinner table—those cold glares, the covert glances, the unspoken battles.
She felt herself descending deeper into a cellar of politics and power struggles, and there was no torch to light the way.
Silently, she walked toward Lady Matilda, crouched beside her, and gently took her wrist to check her pulse. She ran a quick series of observations—breathing, skin tone, response time. Each of them carefully done.
With a quiet sigh, she said, "You’re stable, but I’ll prescribe something for you. Donald should get it in the morning. It will help you recuperate and ... you should also reduce stress...when I say stress, it means practically anything that triggers one. You really shouldn’t be pushing yourself this hard." She instructed with her professional tone.
Her last sentence came out softer, barely more than a whisper. The weight of everything was starting to sink in.
Lady Matilda’s brows furrowed slightly as she watched her. Though she had claimed Jessica as her granddaughter, she had yet to truly know her and to understand her plight in the time past.
She had hoped to bring her back gradually, to learn her story over shared time. But looking at Jessica now—so composed, so controlled—Matilda couldn’t stop the questions silently churning in her heart.
She patted the armrest of the chair beside her. "Will you sit, Jessy? Let’s talk a little before you leave."
Her voice was soft, loving and totally disarming even. For a moment, Jessica nearly sat down. But instead, she shook her head.
"I can’t," she said, her voice gentle. "It’s late. I need to go home."