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Jessica was at a loss for words.
“Take it,” Zachary said, nudging it against her hand. His gaze was somewhat stern, much like he was lecturing a misbehaving child. “Or do you want me to hold it there for you?”
“I’m not having any cramps,” she replied, though she still reached out her gloved hand to take it. “Fine…”
Jessica never really had cramps during her period. Thanks to all the tonics Hazel had her drink while growing up, she was used to heavy flow but barely any pain.
Aside from a bit of bloating, she was usually fine and never had to use anything like heat patches before. That aside, where had Zachary learned about such a thing?
She obediently peeled one open and stuck it on her lower abdomen beneath her two layers of clothing.
Hazel lived in a nice courtyard house tucked inside Vogue Village. She had spent most of her life savings buying it. The yard alone was over 3000 square feet, and the entire place screamed
serenity.
Every year, her close friends would come by to visit. This was especially true of Ginger.
“Don’t run off on your own next time,” Jessica reminded, looking straight ahead. “Sylvaria might be safe, but not everyone here is friendly.”
Zachary smiled. “Got it.”
It wasn’t until they arrived at their destination that she realized he hadn’t used the GPS at all.
Somehow, he still knew the way.
The car came to a smooth stop beside the courtyard. Warm golden sunlight spilled through
the window as he leaned over and unbuckled her seatbelt.
He turned and grabbed her coat from the backseat, handing it to her. “Put on your coat before you get out.”
Jessica had stuck on the heat patch earlier, and now her whole body felt like it was on fire. She didn’t dare move too much, for every little shift felt like it would trigger a flood.
After just 30 minutes, she was already starting to feel like she couldn’t hold it together
anymore.
Once she had finally wriggled into her coat and opened the passenger door, Zachary followed suit, stepping out from the driver’s side.
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“I’m back, Ms. Lockman!” Jessica yelled cheerfully as soon as she got out of the car. She then made a beeline for the courtyard.
Zachary trailed behind, carrying her bag.
“Still as restless as ever!” Hazel commented at the front gate.
Her blonde hair was styled to perfection, and she wore an elegant, high–quality wool coat. She stood there waiting, composed and striking.
Jessica leaned in and whispered something in her ear, then rushed inside in a hurry.
Zachary walked toward Hazel at this moment.
“Hazel,” he greeted.
“And we meet again, Zach!” she called out affectionately. “Has my dear Jess been giving you non–stop trouble?”
“Quite the opposite, actually.”
The two walked toward the courtyard together.
“She’s always so impatient, speaking without thinking, never carrying herself properly!”
“I think she’s great.‘
Up ahead, Jessica suddenly turned around and caught sight of her bag, awkwardly slung over Zachary’s shoulder. He noticed her look, then silently handed the bag back to her.
Lunch was a spread.
Hazel and Zachary chatted like they had known each other forever, laughter flowing along with endless topics. He was incredibly well–mannered, his every gesture and word steeped in quiet confidence.
Jessica, on the other hand, sat there feeling completely out of place. It was as if she were meeting someone’s parents for the first time, unnaturally quiet, with nothing to add to the conversation.
“What’s wrong with you? Cat got your tongue?” Hazel teased.
“No, I’m just giving you two besties a chance to chat more. Otherwise, once we’re back in the country, you’ll have to book an appointment with my husband just to talk to him.”
Jessica’s appetite was way better today than it had been yesterday. She was more talkative and finished off most of the food on the table, such that Hazel had to retrieve more salad from the fridge.
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Husband, huh?
Zachary turned his head just in time to see her cheeky little smirk, as well as a bit of oil stain glistening at the corner of her lips, which she licked away with the tip of her tongue.
His brow furrowed slightly. He grabbed a napkin and gently wiped the corner of her mouth.
That little moment didn’t go unnoticed, of course. Hazel saw the whole thing and quietly
chuckled to herself.
Jessica bit her lower lip and looked away, gaze drifting awkwardly. She still wasn’t used to having an affectionate husband take care of her.
After lunch, she said she wanted to walk around the town a bit. Hazel waved her off, saying she
didn’t want to be the third wheel. Besides, she knew this town like the back of her hand.
She recommended a few cute spots to visit, then practically shooed them out the door.
Zachary didn’t say anything, while Jessica didn’t try to drag her mother along, either. It wasn’t
like they needed a third person to make everything more awkward, anyway.
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Chapter 45
