Chapter 5
The moment Nelson saw Jessie, his eyes turned bloodshot.
He pushed past Lila and ran up toward the third floor, where Jessie stood.
Everyone watched as Nelson trembled from head to toe, his face drained of all color.
He reached Jessie and wrapped his shaking arms around her.
“Jessie, this was just a video shoot, that’s all. Don’t misunderstand. You know the ring was designed especially for you. You never liked being on camera, and Lila’s hands look similar to yours. The edited video was going to be a surprise a city–wide broadcast for our anniversary.”
Nelson fumbled with the ring, quickly trying to slide it onto Jessie’s ring finger.
But it didn’t fit.
The ring stopped halfway down–too tight.
It wasn’t hers.
Downstairs, Lila stood frozen, her face drained of color, eyes glossy with unshed tears as she stared up at the two of them.
Nelson’s tone turned sharp. “Lila,” he snapped, “my wife is upset. Explain this to her–right now. If you can’t, you no longer have a job at Voss Group.”
Lila’s voice was soft, almost pleading. “Ms. Hale… the ceremony… it was just a marketing campaign. I… I was the one who had organized it. The entire shoot was scheduled for broadcast on your anniversary. It was Mr. Voss’s idea. The whole city was supposed to see it.”
Nelson’s handsome face broke into a smile as he pulled Jessie into his arms.
“Jessie, you heard Lila’s explanation, didn’t you? Everything I’ve done was for you. Jessie, my love for you has never changed. You are the one I love most in this life.”
Jessie had believed every sweet word Nelson had ever said to her over the past twenty–seven years.
She just never imagined that after betraying her, he could still look at her with such tenderness and declare his love to the world like nothing had happened.
Lila visibly flinched at his words.
Chapter 5
4.39%
“I wish Mr. Voss and Mrs. Voss a lifetime of love and happiness… and a child soon to follow,” she
said with a brittle smile.
The mention of a child stabbed through Jessie’s chest like a knife.
She locked eyes with Lila for a moment. Lila’s face was streaked with tears, but without hesitation,
she turned and ran–never once looking back.
“Lila!” Nelson roared after her, his voice cracking with panic.
Then, like a man possessed, he bolted down the stairs in pursuit.
Jessie stood there, watching as Nelson chased after Lila in front of everyone.
But just as Lila reached the street, a truck came out of nowhere–slamming into her with a sickening crash.
Jessie stepped outside and stood frozen at the curb.
She watched Nelson scream in anguish, “Lila, no!”
He threw himself forward, catching her before she hit the ground.
And everyone saw it–at the very last second, Lila had turned, pulling Nelson into her arms to shield him. Her fragile body had taken the full force of the second impact.
Boom!
Blood splattered across the pavement.
Lila lay motionless, her mouth stained red as she coughed up more blood with every breath. A dark pool of crimson spread rapidly beneath her.
Nelson collapsed to his knees beside her, arms trembling as he held her limp body.
His eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse with desperation.
“Lila, stay with me! You’re going to be fine. I’m taking you to the hospital right now, just hang on!”
But Lila could barely breathe, let alone speak. Blood bubbled from her lips as she choked out,
“The baby… Nelson, save… our baby…”
Jessie stood frozen, and then Nelson’s tortured gaze snapped to her.
Chapter 5
WebNovel
W
4.3 FREE
D
Enter a world of power and adventure! Cultivation Online awaits you–start reading now!
Google Play
OPEN
4.39%
“You did this,” he snarled. “I told you–nothing was going on between me and Lila! It was just an ad campaign! Why couldn’t you believe me? Why did you have to push this so far–until she and our child ended up like this?”
In that moment, Jessie saw something in his eyes she’d never seen before–hatred.
And then came the voices around her, whispering and accusing.
Asher stepped forward, his tone sharp with judgment.
“Jessie, Nelson loved you. He did everything for you. He even agreed to keep Lila out of the country for nearly seven years–because his grandfather forced them to get the marriage license.”
Others chimed in, one after another.
“Yeah, today’s video was for you. Nelson didn’t want you stressed, so he had Lila stand in for the
bridal ad shoot.”
“Jessie, you’ve always been so possessive. Lila may have liked Nelson, but she never once asked for anything in return. She’s selfless–sweet even. How could you not spare her a little kindness?”
((
