Chapter 6
When Tea woke up again, Clifford was right by her bedside, his eyes bloodshot and terrifyingly red. He clutched her hand as he shaldly said, “Tessa, I swear! didn’t know that there’d be an avalanche. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
His fingertips were icy cold, but his palm was drenched in sweat, as if he were terrified she might disappear. “You can hit me, yell at me, or whatever you want… The ward door burst open. Tania rushed in, her eyes swollen and red. “Mrs. Jones, this was all my fault. Please don’t blame Mr. Jones
She was crying like her world had just fallen apart. “You don’t know how nervous he was because of you. When he heard about the avalanche, he completely lost it. He ran in to find you and didn’t even think about his own safety. He’s still covered in injuries-
“That’s enough Gifford cut her off and pulled her into his arms. “This has nothing to do with you. The doctor said that crying isn’t good for the baby.”
Tessa watched them, then burst out laughing. She couldn’t believe how ironic the situation was. She’d just come back from the edge of death, and he was worried. about another woman crying
She casped. “Get out. Both of you.”
Clifford froze. “Tessa.”
“I said, get out!” she grabbed the glass on her bedside table and smashed it on the floor. Shards were scattered everywhere.
Clifford finally led Tania out, glancing back at her again and again as he closed the door. He tried everything to win Tessa back over the next few days
Fresh flowers were flown in daily, and limited–edition designer bags were brought in. He constantly sent her texts to check in, but she stayed silent. Tessa wasn’t angry ammore, but she wasn’t shiling either. The way she looked at him now was how one would look at a stranger.
On the day of her discharge, he personally came to pick her up.
She pulled her suitcase behind her and headed straight for a taxi..
He had been waiting outside the hospital since early morning, but she didn’t want to get in his car and turned to walk away. He suddenly pulled a riding crop from the trunk and held it out to her. “Tess, hit me.
She froze when she heard that.
*if hitting me will make you feel better… If that’s what it takes for you to forgive me. His voice was hoarse as he spoke. “Go ahead.”
He paused, then softened his tone. “There’s a family dinner today. Don’t be mad at me anymore, okay?”
Tessa looked at him and suddenly felt like laughing. She wondered if he believed things were still the same between them–that a mistake on his part would lead to heranger, his cousing, and then a quick return to normal?
He was wrong.
She didn’t take the riding crop. Instead, she turned and got into his car she hadn’t forgiven him, but she just didn’t care anymore.
Clifford kept trying to make conversation throughout the entire journey. He talked about work, childhood memories, and even brought up that time on their first date when she fell into a fountain. In the past, she would’ve blushed and tried to shush him.
But now, she just stared out the window in silence..
The Jonesdence was brightly lit
The moment she stepped into the living room, she saw Tania sitting on the couch, holding hands with clifford’s grandmother, Isabelle Goldburg, who was smiling warmly
idn’t telly
Clifford quiddy grabbed Tesla’s “Grandma insisted on seeing her. I didn’t tell you because las afraid you’d be upset…”
She gently pulled her hand away and said, “It’s fine.” And she meant it. She honestly didn’t care anymore.
Isabelle held Tania’s hand, sing like a kindly elder. But the moment she looked at Tessa, her face tumed cold. “She’s been married to Clifford for so long, but stihadn’t given machild!
“Tania, you’re different. You’re so sweet and lovable. You must come visit me often, okay?”
Tessa’s hand froze. Once, Isabelle had loved her like she were her biological granddaughter. She wondered when that had changed. She figured that it probably was the moment she said she didn’t want children.
However, that decision was never hers alot.
She cemebered the rainy night following the proposal, a night filled with such overwhelming anxiety that she’d sought refuge at her best friend’s, unable to confront Cord.
‘s apartment at 3:00 am, soaking wet,
kneeling in
in front of her
Clifford had searched the whole city in the pouring rain and finally broke down the door to her friend’s apar “Tess, what did do wrong?”
Tessa couldn’t stop crying, “I’m scared of pain, of getting married, and even more scared of having kids..” What had he said back then?
The cupped her face and promised firmly, “Then we won’t have idds. If my family asks, I’ll say it’s my problem.” But how, the same man who once made that vow to her was carefully preparing prenatal formula for Tania
