?Chapter 1255:


    He turned to the kids then. “Jesse, Nina, say goodbye to Ms. Russell and Jerome.”


    “But…” Nina hesitated. Didn’t Jerome just ask them in for drinks? Weren’t they supposed to go inside?


    “Let’s go home,” Jesse said simply.


    “Okay.” Nina lowered her head, reluctant but obedient. “Ms. Russell, Jerome, goodbye. I’lle to y when you’re free.”


    “Why note in for a bit and chat before leaving?” Jerome’s demeanor had shifted—gone was the bright energy from earlier, reced by something quieter, heavier.


    Nina blinked in confusion.


    n and Jesse looked equally puzzled.


    The three exchanged subtle nces, clearly trying to make sense of the sudden change.


    A trace of unease flickered in Donna’s eyes. “Jerome…”


    “Mom, let theme in,” Jerome said, his tone difficult to read. “If I’m not wrong, Mr. Wilson’s here today to take me and my brother away, right?”


    Donna’s whole body tensed, but she forced a smile, trying to steady her voice. “Don’t worry. I won’t let him take you two.”


    Jerome didn’t respond. He knew perfectly well that if Kevin really meant to take them, his mother wouldn’t be able to stop it. After all, Kevin was their biological father.


    “Mr. Briggs, could you help us out?” Jerome finally spoke, his words careful and deliberate. “The man inside is my father. But for the past five years, he hasn’t cared about me, my brother, or my mom.”


    He took a breath, then mustered the courage to add, “If you can, I’d like to ask you to pretend my mom is a close friend of yours.”


    “Jerome,” Donna said sharply, clearly disapproving. She didn’t want to involve others in their problems.


    But Jerome pressed on, ignoring her. “If you say that, maybe he’ll hesitate. Maybe he won’t force us to go. But if it would trouble you… forget I said anything.”


    g?lnσν???s．c????, a world of tales


    “Jerome doesn’t understand what he’s saying. Please don’t take it seriously,” Donna added quickly, clearly ufortable with dragging someone else into their situation.


    n fell silent, considering for a moment before asking just one question. “Are you two married?”


    If they were, it wasn’t his ce to step in.<fnece4> Th?s chapter is updated by fin?novel</fnece4>


    “No,” Jerome answered before Donna could. “They were engaged by family arrangement. But after an ident, my mom got pregnant with us. He thought she tricked him and demanded that she get an abortion. She begged the doctor to let her keep us.”


    That story hade from his uncle. If his mother hadn’t pleaded with the doctor back then, he and his brother wouldn’t even be alive now.


    Afterward, their mother faked the abortion, called off the engagement, and moved to a different city. It was only this year, with school in mind, that they’de back.


    But Kevin had found them not long after they returned.


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