Chapter 173 I Want Her to Stay by My Side
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, his fingers steady despite the chaos inside. Lighting one, he took a deep drag, the familiar burn grounding him.
He exhaled slowly, the smoke curling around him like a dissipating cloud of frustration, as if each breath eased the tension in his heart.
After Lily brought Jessica out, they left the ball through the back door.
Even in the car, Jessica was still numb.
But her tears flowed uncontrollably, betraying the emotions she couldn't process.
Jessica gave a sorrowful smile, shaking her head with a bitter laugh. "He wouldn't treat Rose like this, would he?" She knew the tenderness James was capable of when he truly loved someone. The moments she cherished were easily available to Rose—because Rose was the one he genuinely loved.
Lily, in the driver's seat, understood immediately. Her anger flared up, seeing Jessica's pain. She slammed her hands against the steering wheel in frustration, eyes burning with determination.
"Jessica," she said fiercely, "have you made up your mind? If you decide, I'll help you with the divorce!"
Jessica bit her lip, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. "We can't fight him," she whispered, her head hanging low, eyes filled with despair.
Lily said firmly, "How do you know we can't fight if we haven't tried? We'll hire the best lawyer, and you'll get your fair share of the assets. He'll have to divorce you honestly!"
Jessica's eyes were downcast, her faith wavering. She muttered, "The best lawyer in Ocean City is probably Michael, right? Do you think he'll help us?"
A bitter laugh escaped her, knowing the tangled web they were in. Michael and James were friends, so Michael would definitely side with him. The chances of him helping were slim.
James sent Rose home first and then went to Skyline Club to unwind.
The manager found him two pure girls, but he waved them away without a second thought. He never indulged in such things, both out of disdain and the thought of it being beneath him. Playing with women wasn't his style, and he found the idea repugnant.
Whether it was Rose or Jessica, he believed he had never toyed with their emotions or physicality. Yet now, an unnerving thought crept into his mind—Jessica probably saw him as the most despicable kind of man.
After a few minutes, Michael walked through the door, looking less than thrilled. He glanced at his watch and frowned. "It's almost midnight. I have court tomorrow. What's so urgent?"
James picked up the glass in front of him, downed the strong liquor in one gulp, and said indifferently, "If you were in my shoes at the ball today, what would you do?"
Michael realized he was talking about Jessica. He teased, "You were planning to get a divorce anyway. You even had me draft the divorce agreement. What's going on now? Can't let her go?"
James drank another glass and said sullenly, "I want her to stay by my side."
Michael sneered, "James, get real! We're in a society governed by law, with monogamy. What do you mean? It is unrealistic to be in a relationship with two women simultaneously!"
James's eyes flashed with sharpness, and he gritted his teeth, "I won't allow any man other than me to be around her. Jack must be tired of living, daring to covet Jessica! He should take a good look at himself and see if he's worthy!"
Michael suddenly realized, "You're jealous! That's impossible. When you got married, you dragged me to drink for three days and nights like you were going to the gallows. What kind of magic does this Jessica have to make you like this?"
James didn't want to lose face in front of Michael, nor did he want to admit that Jessica could affect his emotions.
He shot back coldly, "Jealous? Jessica isn't worth my jealousy. You're overestimating her! I just don't want anyone else coveting something I've touched."
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