Chapter 40
Tessa glanced at Jacqueline, then shifted her gaze to Stephen, with a blankexpression, she asked, “Would you believe me if I said Jacqueline was lying?”
Stephen was tormentarily caught off guard by her wonds. He didn’t respond immediately.
Tessa’s lips curled into a self–mocking smile. Why had she bothered asking such a foolish question?
one side stood his sister, someone he had grown up with. On the other side was his fature wife, a woman he had close to no emotional connection with She was someone he hadn’t seen for there years.
Even stool could guess his asSWEET,
But after only a brjet hesitation, Stephen firmly replied, “1 belleve you.”
Tessa free in disbeliet.
Had she heard him correctly? Stephen actually believed her? But what about jacqueline?!
Tessa looked over at jacqueline and saw the color drain from her face.
“Stephen, she’s lying! How can you believe her over me?” Jacqueline erted out.
“That’s enough.“Stephen glanced over at Jacqueline coldly. “From the moment you met Tess, you’ve shown her nothing but hostility, just now, when you accused her of kicking the house, 1 already suspected you were lying.”
His expression hardened as he continued, “Tess isn’t that kind of person I know her well enough to trust that. And as you said yourself, she has no reason to harm You So why would she?
Tessa watched Stephen silently. Her heart was caught in a whirlwind of emotions.
She wondered why Stephen was so resolute in believing her. Why did he trust her so completely?
She had expected him to side with Jacqueline without hesitation.
Tessa’s nose tingled, and her eyes stung slightly. At that moment, she was moved beyond words.
Stephen’s pace toward Jacqueline gear as cold as ice. “Jacqueline, don’t forget that we don’t share the same last name.”
The implication was clear, Jacqueline wasn’t a three member of the Jacobson family. She shouldn’t abuse her position as their adopted daughter.
Hearing this, Jacqueline’s already pale face tumed ashen. Her lips quivered as tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Her lips pacted but no words came out.
“Get some rest. I’m leaving now,” Stephen said coldly. With that, he turned and walled out
Tessa stood beside the hospital bed and looked coldly at Jacqueline who was hysterical She sighed softly and asked, “What’s the point of all of this?
Soon after, Stephen and Tessa stepped into the open parking lot outside the hospital.
Stephen walled up to Tess with an apologetic expression. “Tess, I’m sorry,”
Testamed to him and asked, “Why are you apologizing to me?”
“It’s my family’s fault for not teaching Jacqueline better,” he replied with asigh. “I don’t even know why she’s slandering you out of powhere. But don’t worry, I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
Tessa let out a small chuckle. “There’s no need to ask, I already know why.”
“Hah?” Stephen looked at her in confusion.
Tessa’s red lips curled into a faint smile. “Stephen, can’t you see how Jacquelin feels about you?”
“What do you mean?” Stephenquestioned.
“She’s doing this to me because of you,” Tessa replied slowly.
Stephen frowned and remained silent.
Tessalooked into his eyes and explained, “Jacqueline has feelings for you. She sees me as her rival. She’s doing all of these things to cause tension between us, Stephen continued to frown in silence. He looked as it was deep thought..
Tessa continued to walk forward, but Stephen quickly caught up to her. “Tess, walt for me
She opened the car door and slipped into the driver’s seat, while Stephen got into the passenger seat.
As he fastened his seatbelt, he said, “I understand now. From now on, I’ll keep my distance from her
Tessa paused and asked, “Why?”
“Dida’t you say she lus feelings for me? I’ve only ever thought of her as a sister. But now that I know how she feels, it’s only right to set boundaries,” Stephen replied
I want to make you feel secure, Teu,” be added seriously.
“That’s not it. I was asking why you trust me so easily. Jacqueline grew up with you shouldn’t you trust her more? Why do you believe me? Tessa asked.
Hegazed at her, his eyes soft and tender. “I’ve already sold it in the hospital. You’re not the kind of person who would do something like that.” “Is that the only reason?” she asked again.
Was it just because he trusted her character? The dim glow of the streetlights filtered in through the windshield. It cast a warm glow inside the car..
The affection in Stephen’s eyes couldn’t be missed.
His voice was steady and unwavering as he said, “And because I love you, of course. To love means trusting you without hesitation.”
Tessa’s heart trembled violently at his words. She tumed her head away, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. She was at a loss for words.
Was this a confession?
Stephen’s smile deepened as he caught sight of her reddened ears.
The Tessa he loved was shy..
