Chapter 385

The lights were on inside, but it was dead quiet.

A dude's coat was chillin' on the sofa; the bedroom door was half-cracked, with some muffled voices sneaking out.

Kelsey strolled over and nudged the door open. The voices got louder.

Nancy was like, "Jack, you got everything sorted at work?"

Jack was like, "Yeah."

Nancy went on, "Jack, I didn't tell Mom and Dad we're coming back. I wanna surprise 'em. Especially Mom, she's always yappin' about you. If she sees you outta the blue, she'll flip."

Nancy was perched on the edge of the bed, swinging her legs like a kid.

Jack was squatting nearby, stuffing a suitcase.

Nancy kept rambling; Jack tossed in a word here and there. The vibe was chill until Kelsey barged in. Nancy froze, then jumped up, looking all flustered. "Ms. Jose?"

Jack's back went stiff for a sec, then he turned and locked eyes with Kelsey.

The room got tense, and nobody said a word.

Kelsey and Jack were having a stare-down, with Nancy stuck in the middle, glancing back and forth.

After a beat, Nancy piped up, "Ms. Jose, don't get the wrong idea. I'm just crashing here tonight; I don't usually stay over."

Kelsey shot her a look. "Stirring up drama is your thing, huh?"

Nancy was speechless. She gave Jack a pleading look, hoping he'd back her up.

But since Kelsey showed up, Jack's eyes were glued to her; he couldn't stop staring.

Kelsey turned away. "Jack, I'll give you a shot to explain."

With that, Kelsey walked out of the bedroom.

With Nancy around, Kelsey couldn't even chill in the living room. She stepped outside, opened a window in the hallway, letting the night breeze cool her down.

She came to make peace, not to fight. Kelsey was ready to hear Jack out; if he explained, she'd believe him.

Jack came out and stood next to Kelsey. He started slow, "The day after tomorrow's Barbara's birthday. I planned to go back with Nancy to celebrate. I already took leave, and we're heading out tomorrow morning. Nancy lives far, so I let her crash here for convenience."

Jack explained, but Kelsey was still ticked.

She looked at Jack and asked, "Jack, what do I even mean to you?"

Jack didn't say a word. He fished something out of his pocket.

It was a black rectangular box with a fancy flower on it.

"The bracelet you wanted, I got it for you." Jack opened the box, showing off a sparkling bracelet. "I just don't know if it's too late."

"It's too late!" Kelsey huffed, lifting her chin and turning away.

Jack was stunned for a sec, then he nodded. "I wasn't planning to return it or give it to anyone else. It's yours. Whether you toss it or keep it, up to you."

With that, Jack closed the box, set it on a nearby cabinet, and looked at Kelsey. "I'm leaving now."

When Jack turned to go inside, Kelsey almost laughed in frustration.

She stomped her foot and yelled, "Jack!"

Jack stopped.

Kelsey wiped her tears with her sleeve. "It's so late; you really gonna let me go back alone?"

Jack hesitated. "I'll grab the car keys."

He went back, got the keys, and grabbed a coat. When he came out, he saw Kelsey staring at the bracelet in the open box.

As soon as Jack showed up, Kelsey snapped the box shut. "The bracelet's nothing special, but I can give it to someone."

Jack's eyes darkened. "Yeah. It's yours; do whatever you want with it."

They rode the elevator down in silence.

Outside, a gust of night wind hit, and Kelsey, dressed lightly, felt a chill. She rubbed her arms.

Jack handed over his coat. "Put it on?"

Kelsey shot him a look and scoffed, "No."

But she shivered right after.

Jack frowned, stepped forward, and draped the coat over her shoulders.

Kelsey didn't resist, tugging at her lips, and followed him into the car.

As the car started, Kelsey suddenly said, "Jack, you're really heartless, you know that?"

Jack paused and instinctively glanced at her.

Kelsey leaned against the seat, her head tilted slightly towards Jack. A faint smile played on her lips, but her eyes were full of hurt. She had just been crying; her eyes were misty, and tears clung to her lashes. She looked like she might break any second.

Jack's chest tightened, a dull pain spreading. "I'm sorry, Kelsey."

"You should be," Kelsey said, "I like you so much I put my pride aside for you. But you, you don't even try to comfort me. Jack, sometimes I wonder, do you even like me?"

Kelsey thought, 'If you really like someone, shouldn't you be unable to control your longing, feeling sorry whenever you think of them?'

Jack was speechless, feeling like a real jerk. He wanted to apologize but couldn't get the words out.

Kelsey asked, "If I hadn't come to find you tonight, would you have ever come to find me?"

Jack's throat tightened.

Kelsey continued, "Jack, do you know how I spent today? I imagined a million times that you'd come find me. Every little noise in the yard, I'd run to the balcony, hoping it was you. In the morning, I thought you'd definitely come. After struggling through the morning, the afternoon felt endless. I sat by the window, staring at the empty yard, wondering what you were doing, if you thought of me. Even if you were delayed, would you call and say not to break up? By evening, it was dark, and you still hadn't come. No calls, no messages."

Kelsey lowered her eyes and gave a bitter smile. "I thought, I never want to see you again. Even if you showed up then, begging me not to break up, I wouldn't want you. But I couldn't sleep. I close my eyes and open them again, and your image lingers. Even when I slept, I dreamed of you. I think I really went crazy!"