Chapter 1644

After hearing Charlie’s explanation, Jamie finally managed to calm down. However, the emotional rollercoaster of the day had been overwhelming, testing her limits.
“What did the lady who took you look like?” Jamie asked.
“She kind of looked like Aunt Winnie,” Charlie replied, his words causing Jamie’s hand to freeze mid-motion.
Winnie?
Her pulse quickened at the mere mention of her sister’s name, her newly found composure teetering on the edge. It was as though her body instinctively reacted, her chest tightening and her breath growing shallow. Sensing Jamie’s unease, Ben intervened. “That’s enough for now, Charlie. Come here.”
Charlie glanced hesitantly at his mother, noticing her troubled expression, but eventually obeyed Ben’s firm yet gentle instruction.
Ben, after settling Charlie down, turned his attention back to Jamie. “Take a moment to breathe, Jamie. Remember, Charlie’s still watching.”
Her eyes snapped to his, and for a moment, she looked like someone pulled from drowning. She was gasping for air. She then nodded stiffly, retreating into the bedroom.
“Mom…” Charlie began to follow, but Ben stopped him with a shake of his head. “Let her rest for a bit.”
Inside the quiet room, Jamie pressed her back against the door, slowly sliding down until she was sitting on the cold, hard floor. The chill seeped through her clothes, leaving her numb, matching the state of her heart.
She had known Winnie was alive. She had even sent people to search for her. But every effort led to nothing, as though Winnie was deliberately avoiding her. And now, after all this time, Winnie had shown up to see Charlie but still wouldn’t meet her. Why?
Jamie asked herself, though deep down, she already knew the answer. It was Ben. Winnie still had feelings for him. That unresolved emotion was likely why she avoided Jamie altogether.
After taking some time to regain her composure, Jamie finally emerged for dinner, her expression calm, almost indifferent.
Charlie opened his mouth as if to ask her something but stopped, remembering Ben’s earlier advice not to pry. He huffed, biting back his question.
Ben didn’t bring it up either, letting the meal pass uneventfully. Later, after Charlie had gone to bed, Ben broke the silence.
“Winnie must have finally gotten her freedom.”
Jamie looked up, startled. “What makes you think so?”
“Well,” Ben began thoughtfully, “we suspected she was being held against her will. But for her to willingly meet Charlie now? That’s not something she could do@nless she was safe.” en FindNovel
Jamie hesitated before nodding. “That makes sense.”
Ben studied her closely, his deep gaze unreadable. “She probably has her reasons for staying away. Don’t let it eat at you.” Jamie sighed deeply. “I know. I’ll manage.”
Still, the situation clearly weighed on her. From then on, Jamie became overly vigilant with Charlie, always making sure she was the one to pick him up and drop him off at O
preschool.
Yet, every time she arrived, her eyes seemed to search for something or someone. When she left disappointed, her mood would noticeably dim.
Even Charlie noticed, though he didn’t dare question her.
Meanwhile, Ben found himself
buried in work as new projects piled
up, leaving him with little time to
check in on Jamie. When his assistant suggested delegating some responsibilities to Jamie to lighten his load, Ben flatly refused.
“Don’t involve her. Keep her workload the same as before.”
The assistant opened his mouth to protest but was quickly silenced by Ben’s sharp glare. “Understood, Mr. Lucas”
Ben rubbed his temples, fatigue evident in his posture, when the phone on his desk rang abruptly.