Chapter 3

Jaycob fell silent for a moment, then countered with a question, "Jenny, don't you trust me?"

I remained silent.

His expression gradually darkened. "I returned to the Hewitt family. The internal chaos within the Hewitt Group is causing many to mock us."

"I'm not sure what you've heard, but those are just facades. Dealing with them for days has been draining. Please don't be upset with me over this, okay?"

As I observed his cold demeanor, my heart began to pound.

Could it be that I'm just overthinking this?

The intricate power struggles within the Hewitt family, both internal and external, were complex and deeply rooted. Although Jaycob brushed it off lightly, it didn't mean his journey was easy.

I hadn't been able to help him at all, so how could I be so quick to doubt him?

Was it simply that I didn't trust him enough?

I couldn't help but doubt my own instincts and found myself wanting to comfort him.

"Jenny, Elaine from the Smith family agreed to help me with a performance. The marriage is just a temporary measure."

As he spoke, he pulled me into his arms, gently rubbing his face against mine. "It might be tough for you for a while, but you're the best, Jenny. You wouldn't want to make things difficult for me, right?"

I couldn't discern his expression.

I wanted to believe him.

Yet, for some reason, an inexplicable wave of panic washed over me, making it hard to breathe.

In the following days, Jaycob became increasingly busy.

I wanted to share some of his burdens.

But whenever I asked him anything, he would just say, "You wouldn't understand," and refuse to elaborate.

He didn't want me to visit him at the company, and the only place we could meet was at home, but he was often nowhere to be found all day.

When I sent him messages, he would reply with a single word, "Busy," after a long time.

Even when we talked on the phone, he would hang up after just a few words.

My heart felt like a small boat adrift at sea, swaying and unable to find solid ground.

Until that day, after finishing work, I took Fluffy for a walk in the park.

Fluffy was a Samoyed I had picked up by a trash can. Since Jaycob didn't like animals that shed fur, I had always kept it at the store.