Page 215 of Taeja

So, she told him everything. From hating how controlling he became when they moved in with his mother, to wanting to visit Jamaica. From Teddy helping her to book the flight, to Romar leaving her stranded. How she turned over a new leaf — barely. “I went to the embassy several times, but they turned me away because I have nothing to prove that I live there. I tried, J… I tried.”

His mouth fell afterhearing all she had to say.

Cassedi didn’t leave him? All these years were nothing but a big miscommunication based on lies and deceit from his mother?

His chest tightened. Breathing was difficult. He moved the phone from his ear and ended the call before tossing the phone aside.

A bad choice? Maybe.

But he just couldn’t listen anymore.

To all she had to say. To her voice that haunted him for years. To the hurt in her tone and how much she was telling him that his actions hurt her.

He thought women liked getting taken care of. He thought they liked havingall their bills paid and needs tended to. The only thing they had to do was worry about the home and their kids.

Their daughter. Taeja.

He ruined his relationship with his only child because of his mother.

Had it always been this way? Or were they teaming up to get into his head?

His mother would never do this to him. They must have been lying.

Dissociated, he barely realized when he grabbed his keys and briefcase.

“Mr. Marley, are you going out for lunch? Should I take your calls?” his assistant asked as he waited for the elevator. Her voice was distant despite being only a few feet away.

“Yes,” the word passed his lips, not sounding like his own voice.

Finally, the elevator arrived, and he went to the underground parking lot. He found his car and drove to his mother’s house. The house he paid for with his hard-earned money.

He parked and went inside, seeing Teddy in the living room laughing at a rom-com. How could she look so happy? So carefree? After all his family accused her of doing?

“Teddy,” he forced the word out, and she looked at him.

“Jerry!” She smiled at him. Her joy dwindled when he didn’t smile back. “Is Taeja being a brat again?”

He snapped back to the moment. “Do not call her that,” he stated firmly.

Teddy gasped, her eyes widening. She recovered quickly and patted the space beside her on the couch. “Come talk to Mommy.”

Jerry’s feet brought him there by their own accord. His body dropped beside her, heavier than normal. Teddy made him lay his head on her shoulder, and she held him close like she always did.

“What happened?” Teddy pressed.

“I spoke to Cassedi today,” Jerry said, and Teddy stiffened. He pulled away to watch her closely. “Is it true?”

Teddy forced a chuckle. “About what?”

Jerry chuckled, shaking his head. One action so simple, yet it spoke volumes. “Nothing, never mind,” he said, standing and walking away.

Teddy grabbed his wrist, halting him. Her eyes were frantic and teary as she looked at him. “Talk to me,” she begged. “You can’t push me away like this again, Jerald—”

His nostrils flared as he yanked his hand free. “I’m not Jerald.”

Teddy’s eyes widened before returning to normal. “I mean Jerry—”

Jerry’s jaw clenched. It was hard to believe that this was the same woman who clothed and fed him since he was a boy. She always said his happiness meant everything to her, and now he truly understood why.

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