bChapter /bb414 /b

    b“/bbWhat /bare you bapologizing /bfor? You shouldn’t be working overtime anyway. Go on. I’ve got the rest coveredb. /bJessica waved her off beasily/b.

    After seeing Sana off, Jessica texted Wesley, asking to meet that afternoon for another consultation.

    “Sure, I’m free this afternoon. Let’s meet for dinner and talk,” Wesley said gently. Jessica had no objections, and with bthat/bb, /bthey settled on the arrangement.

    “So, Jessi asked you out again, huh?” Brian remarked with a tinge of bitterness, watching Wesley put down his phone from across the table. Ever since the divorce, Jessica had never once taken the initiative to meet him.

    Wesley caught the jealousy in his tone and couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know perfectly well there’s nothing going bon /bbbetween /bMs. Grant and me.”

    Brian put a hand to his forehead, realizing just how childish he sounded. “My bad.”

    Wesley shook his head, signaling he didn’t mind, then steered the conversation back.

    Wesley shook his head, signaling he didn’t mind, then steered the conversation back. “So, how have things been between you band /bMs. Granttely? Has she started to warm up to you at all?b” /b

    At the mention of Jessica, Brian’s expression turned serious. He recalled his recent interactions with Jessi, then gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

    “No. In fact, there were several times when I could tell she was angry at me for real,” Brian admitted.

    “But she hasn’t moved out or gone on business trips just to avoid you,” Wesley stated pointedly.

    “Maybe she just thinks it’s too much trouble. Besides, if anyone should move, it should be me.” After all, he would never force Jessica to leave. He hadn’t lost his mind yet.

    Wesley shook his head. “No, it’s not about the hassle. Subconsciously, she just doesn’t see the need. Your presence and actions don’t threaten her, so she feels safe there, so there’s no reason for her to escape.”

    He slowly analyzed Jessica’s psychological state for Brian, then concluded.

    “Just keep doing what you’ve been doing. In psychology, we call this a life marker. If you can gradually get her used to this marker, there’s a good chance she’ll let her guard down.”

    “But how will I know if Jessi has gotten used to it or not?” Brian countered.

    Wesley chuckled. “It’s simple. After you’ve kept it up for a while and formed a routine, try deliberately skipping one marker or messing one up. Then watch how she reacts,”

    Brian thought it over and finally understood Wesley’s intentions. He thanked Wesley again, then hesitated before asking, “bDr. /bFinch, could I join you and Jessi for dinner tonight?”

    Wesley held his forehead,ughing softly. Brianughed too, realizing how ridiculous he sounded.

    He thought, ‘I really am letting my concern cloud my judgment. If I show up with Wesley tonight, bwouldn’t /bbI /bbbe /bbpractically /bannouncing to Jessi that I know her secret and I’m digging into it?‘

    bChapter /bb414 /b

    bForget /bbI /bbsaid /bbanything/bb./b” Brian bquickly /bbcorrected /bbhimself/b.

    b“/bbIt’s /bbalright/bb. /bbYou /bbcan /bfollow from a distance if you like, bbut /bjust make sure Ms. bGrant /bbdoesn’t /bbnotice/b, Wesley bsaid /bwith a ton bu bshaking /bhis head.

    He’d dealt with plenty of anxious family members like Brian before and fully understood his worries.

    “Thank you,” Hearing that, Brian beamed and thanked Wesley earnestly.

    “bDon’t /bmention it,” Wesley replied lightly. He didn’t take the matter to heart. After giving Brian the name of the restaurant bwhere /bhe’d be meeting Jessica, he politely saw him out. Brian didn’t intend ito /istay any longer too.

    As dusk settled in, Jessica finished herst document just in time, grabbed her bag, and headed out for her appointment.

    Just as she stepped out of the office, she spotted Sana at her desk, touching up her makeup with apact mirror. Jessica couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

    “Who’s the lucky one tonight? You’re all dolled up,” she teased.

    ..

    bAD/b