Chapter 226 Painful Past
Jack's eyes drifted off a bit.
"My first love," he said, lips barely moving.
So, it wasn't about her background. Jessica looked down, feeling let down.
But the phrase "first love" was stuck in her mind.
She used to think it was a beautiful idea, something she always wanted.
But after Diana, it lost its charm.
Jack revealed, "My first love was a small, delicate girl. She was soft and gentle, and I just wanted to protect her."
He continued, "But lots of people liked her. I was insecure and didn't approach her until she confessed she liked me. That moment, my world lit up. I felt like the luckiest guy ever."
He added, "But happiness can turn into pain when you fall from grace."
Jack looked up, sorrow all over his face.
Jessica could feel his sadness, even as an outsider.
"What happened?" she asked carefully.
Jack laughed bitterly. He explained, "I found out she never really liked me. She just liked my money. I spent a lot to make her happy."
He continued, "Anything she wanted, I bought. After the college entrance exams, I even got her a ring as a token of our love."
He added sadly, "But I overheard her telling her friends, 'Jack is such a fool, so dull and clueless. If it weren't for his rich mom, I wouldn't be with him. And his mom's a cheater, and he's an illegitimate child. How could I marry an illegitimate child?' Those words cut deep."
Jack closed his eyes, wrapped in sorrow.
It was really hurtful.
Even just hearing it made Jessica feel suffocated and hurt.
"But with your looks, weren't you popular in school? How did this happen?" Jessica asked, puzzled.
Jack took out his wallet, pulled a photo from a hidden compartment, and handed it to Jessica.
Seeing the curly-haired, dark-skinned, pockmarked, shy, and introverted Jack in the photo, Jessica finally got it.
"This was me in high school," Jack said.
No wonder he was so insecure back then.
First loves can have a huge impact on someone.
Some people never fully recover from the pain.
Jessica asked curiously, "What about later? After college, you must have looked better. Did you date anyone?"
"No," Jack shook his head. Then, remembering something, he added, "A few years ago, my mom set me up with a girl. We dated for a bit because of parental pressure, but she broke up with me, saying I was too cold."
Jessica could only sigh.
"Why are you telling me all this?" she asked.
They barely knew each other.
Jack stayed quiet for a while before saying, "Maybe it's because you remind me of her. I've been holding this in for years, and now I can finally talk about it."
Jack said nonchalantly, "Or maybe I just felt like talking today, and you happened to be here."
"Jessica, can you keep this between us?" Jack asked.
Jessica nodded seriously. She assured him, "Dr. Smith, don't worry. I'm not one to gossip. I promise I won't tell anyone."
She suggested, "And if you're worried, you can always use your authority as my boss to keep me quiet. I wouldn't risk my job."
Jack smiled, his usual cool demeanor returning. He replied, "Good point."
Jessica fell silent, feeling like she might be getting herself into trouble.
After sorting things out with Jack, Jessica felt relieved when she got home.
What made her even happier was a text from Gabriel before bed.
He said he'd be back in a couple of days.
Jessica: [Okay, I'll wait for you to come back!]
After sending the message, Jessica fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Gabriel and Diana were having a serious talk.
"Gabriel, I'm sorry, but I can't agree to this," Diana said.
Gabriel frowned. He thought it was great news. Michael had said there was a 50% chance her leg could be healed.
He was thrilled, but Diana's resistance caught him off guard.
Gabriel encouraged, "Diana, why? A 50% chance is still good. We should try."
Diana looked at him calmly. She asked, "Gabriel, why are you pushing this surgery?"
Diana recalled, "I've had many surgeries and been disappointed many times. 50% isn't 100%. A doctor once told me there was an 80% success rate, but it still failed. Have you forgotten?"
She insisted, "Gabriel, I know you mean well, but I can't handle more failures. I'd rather not hope than be disappointed again."
"Diana," Gabriel said, gripping her shoulders, "you can't think like that. The last surgery failed because of an unavoidable accident."
Diana asked, "How can you guarantee there won't be an accident this time?"
"Diana, the last situation was special. The doctor got sick. This time, I promise there won't be such an accident."
Diana sneered and pushed Gabriel away.
Diana said bitterly, "An accident? What a perfect excuse. If it weren't for that doctor, my leg wouldn't be crippled, and I wouldn't be in a wheelchair."
She accused, "Gabriel, I know what you're thinking. You're pushing me to have this surgery to ease your guilt, right?"
Diana said bitterly, "You think if my leg is healed, you won't owe me anything, and you can be with Jessica, right?"
