bhapter /bb378 /b

    When Jessica got home from work, she checked her mailbox and found a new bag of candy inside.

    That evening, Jacob went to Jessica’s ce with the excuse of learning to draw, to snoop around. When he spotted the extra candy bwrappers /bin bthe /bbtrash /bcan, he silently pumped his fist in triumph. Then he went home and told Brian the news.

    b“/bShe bate /bsome? So this candy must really be to her taste.” Brian let out a long, relieved breath.

    Jacob nodded hard. “Dad, where did you buy this candy? I’ll go get some tomorrow itoo/i. Mom only has a few left. i need to restock for herb./bb” /b

    With that, Jacob stood up and headed for his bedroom to get his snack jar.

    Brian grabbed him back. “Quit fooling around. That candy’s only sold overseas. I’m heading on a business trip there tomorrow, and I’ll pick some bup /bbfor /byour mom while I’m at it.”

    Jacob blinked. “Is it really just ‘while you’re at it‘?“”

    Brian said nothing and just gave him a look to make him shut up.

    Jacob let out ba /bsillyugh and didn’t push it further.

    Jacob thought, ‘Oh, well, if Dad says it’s “while he’s at it,” then that’s that. Anyway, as long as Mom gets her candy, it’s fine. I’m a good kid nowb, /band bI /bknow how to save face for Mom and Dad.

    ‘I’ve grown a lot. Mom will notice the change sooner orter and forgive my past thoughtlessness.‘

    Brian shook his head as he watched Jacob trot off.

    Brian thought, ‘Wearing his feelings so inly. He’s still just a kid.‘

    “I’m leaving on the trip tomorrow. If it goes smoothly, I’ll be back the day after. Jim wille over to take care of you while I’m gone.

    “Or you can stay at your mom’s, if she’s okay with it,” Brian said, packing his bags and going over his ns for Jacob.

    Jacob would’ve loved to stay with Jessica, but he knew she wouldn’t agree. Insisting would only put her in a tough spot, so he reluctantly epted

    Brian’s offer.

    Early the next morning, Jim showed up at the door.

    Jessica noticed him when she left her apartment, feeling a little curious, but she didn’t ask.

    She thought, ‘What does Brian and Jacob’s life have to do with me?‘

    “Jessi, I’m off to Yvoria on a business trip today, so I asked Jim to look after Jake for the day,” Brian said. “Oh, and is there anything you want me to bring

    back for you?”

    She hadn’t asked, but he just had to chime in anyway.

    “No.” When Jessica heard Brian was leaving on a business trip, her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly settled back to normal.

    ‘This is just Brian’s usual routine, after all,‘ she thought.

    Back when they were still married, Brian was away on business trips around the world at least half the week. Sometimes, when projects got really bbusy/bb, /bhe’d be gone for over two weeks withouting home. It wasn’t like that never happened.

    Jessica thought, ‘I should have gotten used to it by now, shouldn’t I? The Brian who’s been sticking around, not going anywhere, is the one bout /bof bthe /bordinary.‘

    Jessica tried to talk herself into it, but once Brian actually left, it felt like part of her went with him. She couldn’t muster the energy for anything

    She couldn’t stop wondering. How long will his trip be this time? Is it really just a business trip? Is he going alone? Or has he taken someone else like Madeline?‘

    The more she thought, the more irritated she got. She decided to get up and do a walk–around of thepany. But as soon as she went downstairs, the saw a few employees gathered by the break room door, with phones in hand, chattering away with excited looks..

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