bChapter /bb512 /b

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    Amid enthusiastic apuse, Jessica shot Jacob a questioning look. He had never mentioned the parent

    speech part.

    Jacob rubbed his nose. “Mom, I didn’t know either.”

    Jessica tousled his hair while Brian barely suppressed a grin. “Later, Jessi. They are waiting.” He wasn’t

    even hiding his delight at this unexpected opportunity.

    Jessica gritted her teeth. She smelled a setup but couldn’t make a scene. Masking her irritation with a

    polished corporate smile, she looped her arm through Brian’s and stepped onto the stage to share her

    parenting experience.

    Thanks to prior parent–teacher meetings at Jacob’s kindergarten, she delivered a wless speech.

    As she finished speaking, the audience pped warmly.

    Then, she turned to Brian with a “Your turn” glint in her eyes.

    He met her gaze, smiling, “Jacob’s achievements are all credit to his mother. But I failed them both for

    years. I’ve felt deeply guilty about that ever since. The one person I’ve wronged the most in this life is

    Jacob’s mother. No apology can undo that.”

    Jessica’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected Brian’s public confession. As he spoke openly

    about his past failures as a father and his deep remorse, something stirred within her.

    Brian continued, “To all the fathers here, I sincerely urge you to prioritize your families. A child’s upbringing should never fall solely on the mother. It’s a shared responsibility.”

    Yet he didn’t lower the microphone. Instead, he turned to Jessica with guilt–filled eyes. “And now, I’d like to

    take this moment to apologize to my wife.”

    Jessica looked up, meeting his gaze brimming with tenderness and regret.

    Brian’s voice softened. “Jessi, you’ve endured so much. I’m truly sorry for my arrogance in the past.” With

    that, he bowed to her.

    Parents who had recognized Brian and Jessica began snapping photos. Even the teacher recorded the

    moment.

    Jessica froze for several seconds before regaining herposure. She took a steadying breath and replied evenly, “It’s in the past. Let’s go.” She stepped off the stage first.

    A flicker of disappointment crossed Brian’s eyes, but he said nothing more, following her down amid thunderous apuse.

    12:53 Mon, 1 Sept

    Soon, it was the next parent’s turn to share.

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    15

    Once seated, Brian studied Jessica’s expression before hesitantly whispering, “Jessi, don’t misunderstand. I

    wasn’t trying to force you to forgive me. I just-”

    “I know.” Jessica cut him off. The only reason she was still sitting there was precisely because she had seen

    that he wasn’t pressuring her. Otherwise, she would’ve left long ago.

    She knew Brian’s apology was sincere. She also knew that epting it, given their current rtionship and his condition, would be the most practical solution. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

    Those seven years of neglect were real. Brian treated her well now, but the past couldn’t be undone. The pain wouldn’t vanish just because time had passed. If she forgave him too easily, it would feel like a betrayal to the version of herself who had suffered for so long.

    “This is good enough for now. I don’t want things to change,” Jessica said. She was content with her current life and didn’t want any more upheavals.

    Brian lowered his gaze, masking the flicker of disappointment in his eyes. “Okay,” he replied gently.

    He thought, ‘It’s alright. We have time. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her. I can wait.‘

    To outsiders, their quiet exchange wasyered yet harmonious, making them look like a newly reconciled couple yfully teasing each other.

    The moment videos and photos hit the inte,izens were surprised. [I believe in love again.]

    [Who dares doubt their love now?]

    [Mr. Atkinson’s gaze is full of guilt and devotion. It made my heart skip a beat.]

    [Dream on. He only has eyes for Ms. Grant.]

    [Ms. Grant cares about him, too.]

    [This is what mutual pining looks like.]

    [Brissica stays winning!]

    [Forget romance. Where did they get those matching family outfits?]

    [Drop the link.]

    [Matching family outfits? Without Jacob, that’s straight–up couple wear. 100% Brian’s doing.]

    [ssic man–in–love behavior. Now give us the shopping links. My wallet is ready.]

    [Drop the link already. I also want the maternity bag Mr. Atkinson was carrying.]

    12:53 Mon, 1 Sept A

    Mon, 1 Sept

    [I’m due soon and I need that bag.]

    [Does anyone have a link? I wanna buy one for my husband.]

    56%

    +15

    [The bag’s just okay, but I love the bracelet Ms. Grant is wearing. Has anybody got a link? Come on, brands. This is free advertising.]

    [And her earrings are stunning. Ms. Grant’s taste is amazing.]

    [I’ve been dying to say this. She has such great style. Now I just hope none of these things cost an arm and a leg.]

    [I just got my bonus, and I’ve been looking for something to splurge on. So seriously, where’s the link?]

    [All links right here!]

    [Thanks. I’m buying them now.]

    [Hurry up and click before it sells out.]

    Netizens wiped out the entire stock of matching family outfits, bags, and jewelry within a minute. Those who missed out flooded thements with outrage: [Sold out already?]

    [I was one click too slow!]

    [Heartbroken. I’ll be crying myself to sleep tonight.]

    [I asked the service. There is no restock for days.]

    [I’m going to lose sleep over this.]

    [Useless! Can’t they even prepare enough inventory?]

    [Damn it! They can’t even capitalize on free publicity.]

    [Does anyone know where else I can buy the same stuff?]

    [Check Amazon?]

    [I just checked. Nothing.]

    [No way! So all the money is going to these boutiques?]

    [Pathetic.]

    The ranting snowballed into an avnche of identicalints.

    Amused, Brianter recounted the chaos to Jessica as a funny story.

    12:53 Mon, 1 Sept