He Cries When I Stop Being Jealous

Chapter 5

Lucas didn't come home until early the next morning.

The moment he walked in, he immediately started explaining, "Lily's fever was really high. It didn't go down all night."

Lily, of course, was Jessica's kid.

I nodded, trying to sound casual. "Is everything okay? Why didn't you stay longer? It's hard for Jessica to handle it all alone with a sick child."

Lucas dropped his coat on the couch and gave me a look. "What are you getting at? Are you throwing shade at me?"

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly exhausted. "I haven't slept all night, Olivia. I'm wiped."

I grabbed my bag and shrugged. "Then get some rest. I've got work."

He grabbed my wrist before I could leave. "Olivia…"

I turned back, exasperated. "What?"

"We'll make up for the anniversary next time. Don't be mad, okay?"

I forced a smile. "I'm not mad."

He studied me for a moment, then pulled me into a hug. "There's a company event this weekend. Come with me."

Lucas was from a wealthier family than I was. He grew up here, while I only ended up here after I married him.

His colleagues never really respected me, if I'm being honest.

Even though they looked down on me, they'd still ask Lucas to have me handle their minor health problems since I worked at the hospital.

I'd been to his office more times than I could count, bringing him lunch when he had stomach issues. Once, I got caught in the rain and looked a mess, but he never once properly introduced me to his coworkers.

It was clear I embarrassed him.

I snapped back to the present. "I can't. I might have to work overtime next weekend."

Lucas clenched his jaw. "Fine. Do whatever you want."

I didn't go, but I didn't expect him to take Jessica instead.

While I was buried in paperwork at the office, my phone kept buzzing. I finally opened it to find I'd been added to Lucas's company's team-building group chat.

The feed was full of photos from their activities.

And, of course, Jessica was in most of them.

There was one photo that caught my eye, Lucas was carrying Jessica in his arms, walking across the lawn, her arms wrapped around his neck. Her face was pressed against his chest. If she tilted her head just a little, she could've kissed him.

The group was going wild, tagging both of them, calling them a "perfect match."

Lucas held a senior position at the company, so everyone was eager to shower him with praise.

One by one, they piled on, commenting on how great they looked together.

Since they'd added me to the group, I couldn't just ignore it.

So I replied: Perfect match.

I even added a clapping emoji.

Then I left the group and muted it.

By the time I finished up my work, it was already dark.

I pulled out my phone and saw dozens of missed calls from Lucas.

His WeChat messages were flooding in.

"Olivia, pick up the phone."

"Olivia, let me explain! It's not what you think!"

"Olivia, where are you? I'm coming to find you right now!"