Chapter 175 He Found Out It Was Her Birthday That Day (1)
After hanging up with Lily, Michael shot James a knowing grin.
He teased, "James, she said you're a freak in bed. What kind of freak are you? Got any tricks to share?"
"Get out of my sight!" James snapped, shoving him away. The thought of Lily's lies made his blood boil. Every word she said was a calculated hit to his reputation, and dragging Jessica into it made him even angrier.
Michael, always the drama king, sighed theatrically. "What should I do? On one side, a damsel in distress; on the other, my bro. A difficult choice, indeed!"
James snorted, "Go ahead and help them. I'd love to see what they think they can pull off."
Even Michael, who rarely showed surprise, raised an eyebrow at James's confidence. "You mean... you want me to take Jessica's case? Sue you?"
James leaned back on the sofa, rubbing his nose with icy calm. He sneered, "Yes, take it. Bring it on!"
His mind was already plotting. He'd show Jessica—and that meddling Lily—that they didn't stand a chance against him.
Michael drank with James to drown their sorrows, noticing that James hadn't been this out of control since his wedding two years ago.
James was nearly legless when Michael decided to take him home. "Alright, let's get you back! Rest up. You still have to outsmart your wife tomorrow!"
James was a mess when he got home.
Olivia quickly helped Michael get him to the bedroom.
"Mr. Watson, where's Mrs. Kelly? She didn't come back tonight," Olivia asked worriedly.
"Jessica probably won't be back for a few days," Michael replied vaguely, leaving Olivia puzzled.
Could it be that James and Jessica had another fight?
When James woke up the next morning, his head still hurt.
He glanced at the empty spot beside him, feeling a pang of emptiness. No need to guess—Jessica must have gone to Lily's place.
Just then, Olivia knocked on the door. "Mr. Kelly, are you awake? I made some lemon water. Want some?"
"Come in." James knew he couldn't stay drunk forever. He still had to deal with Jack and handle Jessica's provocations.
He drank the lemon water Olivia brought and got ready to work.
But Olivia stood by, looking hesitant.
James frowned. "What's wrong? If you have something to say, just say it."
Olivia stammered, "Even though I'm just a servant, I have to say this. Mrs. Kelly cares about you. It's just that you're too cold toward her, so she doesn't dare get close."
James sneered inwardly. 'Care about him? If she cared, she wouldn't be out looking for other men. And now, she's even set her sights on Jack, making it public!'
He gave Olivia a warning look. "You're nosy! Get out!"
Olivia muttered softly, "Mrs. Kelly is really pitiful. Even on her birthday, she was all alone."
She hadn't expected James to listen. She just needed to vent.
She was about to leave when James suddenly called her back. "What did you just say?"
Olivia paused, expecting a scolding. She was about to apologize when James's voice broke the silence, sharper and more urgent than she'd expected. "Repeat what you just said. Did you mention her birthday? When was it?"
James felt a pang of guilt; they'd been married for two years, and he didn't even know Jessica's birthday.
Olivia recounted, "It was last Sunday. I only knew because Miss Stewart mentioned it. That night, I made Mrs. Kelly a bowl of pasta, and she was so touched. I think if Mr. Kelly had been there, Mrs. Kelly would have been even more moved, right?"
James felt a sudden, crushing weight on his chest, squeezing tight with almost unbearable pain.
"Last Sunday," he whispered, the realization hitting him hard. That was also the anniversary of his relationship with Rose. Each year, while he and Rose celebrated their love, Jessica had been left to mark her birthday alone.
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