Chapter 21
Coming back from the Morgan mansion, I felt completely exhausted.
Aiden and Uma gave me a long talk, saying so many good things about Levi—how he's too busy with work to spend time with me, how he still holds a grudge about what happened years ago, so he's not warm enough.
Actually, I've heard these words many times. Before Jessa came back, they were like a spell that made me believe them.
Now that I'm clearheaded, I still nod and smile. After all, my grandparents have taken such good care of me, from funding my education to later having Levi give me a home.
I'm grateful for their care, but this seemingly perfect arrangement of marrying Levi didn't have a perfect ending.
"Mrs. Morgan, watch your step."
"Okay, drive safe."
I waved to the driver and entered the yard.
As soon as I got back, I saw the garden lights on and the sound of violin music coming from the pavilion.
If it wasn't Jessa playing, I would have found the music beautiful, but seeing her smug face immediately irritated me.
Levi sat across from her while she played the violin, exchanging meaningful glances with him.
The bright yellow candlelight, delicious food, fresh flowers...
The scene was so painful to my eyes.
Indigo saw me and trotted over. "Mrs. Morgan, it's cold outside. Let's go in."
I clenched my fists, already planning not to get involved with them.
But Jessa still had to drag me in.
"Blair, you're back! Want to come have some more food?"
Jessa stopped playing and called out to me.
Indigo shook her head, hoping I wouldn't have another unpleasant encounter with her.
"Levi says he's still hungry. Come over." Jessa's invitation was really just an act for Levi.
When I didn't move, Jessa actually ran over, grabbed my hand, and pulled me toward them.
"Blair, look at the fruit salad I made."
I shook off her arm. I didn't want to talk to her, yet she dragged me over to humiliate me.
When I saw that horrible-looking fruit salad on the table, I almost couldn't hold back my reaction.
"I learned this while studying abroad. Try it, it's pretty good."
Playing violin, cooking—I really don't know how Levi could eat something that looked so awful.
"You two should keep the good stuff for yourselves."
Jessa fake-smiled. "Levi said it tastes good. There's not much left, but I'll make you a special portion next time."
"No need."
I looked up at the sky. "I won't disturb your fun; you two continue."
"Blair, I was just telling Levi we're going to the farm tomorrow to pick fruit. Do you want to come?"
How boring.
Jessa was basically telling me that on Monday, Levi's busiest day, he's taking her out.
He's already brought her into our home—do I still care if they go somewhere else? Since they're openly trying to disgust me, I might as well let her embarrass herself.
I was about to leave when Jessa grabbed my arm.
"Blair, I'm really sorry about what happened before. I really didn't mean it." She pretended to be upset. "Later, I got food poisoning, and Levi felt bad, so he..."
"No need to explain to me."
I didn't want to make things ugly with her before, but now I don't want to watch her act at all.
"Blair, please forgive me, okay?"
Jessa suddenly started crying, wiping her tears as if I was bullying her.
Levi immediately stood up. He wanted to comfort her, but didn't move.
I was completely confused by her act. "We're all adults, no need for this drama. You don't deserve my forgiveness for what happened before, and there's no need to bring up what's happening now."
"Blair, let's not carry our parents' grudges to our generation." Jessa pretended to beg for my understanding.
My heart ached. How could I possibly forgive what they did to my mother and me back then? Why should I forgive on my mother's behalf?
She's a mistress's daughter—what right does she have to fake sincerity and ask for my forgiveness?
Impossible!
"Blair, I really don't want the three of us to be so unhappy..."
Jessa looked at Levi, hoping he would speak up for her.
But he didn't seem to have that intention.
I found her ridiculous. What right did she have to demand that the three of us get along?
"I don't care how you moved into my house, and I don't care what your purpose is. I only have one requirement—don't involve my daughter."
"Of course not, Celestia and I get along great."
I was impressed. This woman was completely immersed in her own world, impervious to reason.
If Levi weren't here, she probably wouldn't be able to stay this calm.
I really couldn't stand it anymore. Out of sight, out of mind—as long as I don't see her, she can't hurt me.
"You two continue, I won't disturb you anymore."
Jessa grabbed me again.
This caught me off guard.
"Blair, I'll kneel down to you, I..."
Levi and I almost simultaneously pulled her up. I'm not even thirty yet—her kneeling to me would curse me!
"What are you doing?" Levi panicked.
Jessa continued her performance. "I really want to make peace with her, but she keeps rejecting me. I didn't want to bother you guys either, but you said..."
"If you don't want to be here, then leave."
Anyway, there's no one else here. Anyway, no one knows about my relationship with Levi. Anyway, Levi will keep everything about me locked up tight, so whatever I say or do should follow my heart.
Levi looked shocked. My words clearly got to him.
"Levi, I..."
Jessa cried harder, still trying to act cute with him.
But Levi pushed her hand away. "It's getting late, go rest."
Not getting what she wanted, Jessa still tried to cling on. I really couldn't stand her anymore.
"I'm going to the hospital to give you two some space. Please don't drag me into this next time."
I looked at Levi and took the key to the Morgan mansion's guest house from my bag and put it on the table. "Grandpa says the guest house is good for recovery. You decide."
I was hinting that Aiden wanted him to send Jessa to live in the guest house and stop disturbing our lives.
"Blair, what's this?"
"He knows."
I didn't want to waste more words. Let Levi decide whether she stays or goes.
I heard Jessa keep questioning him, their voices getting quieter and quieter. I felt depressed.
Jessa puts on a different show every day. Now, just thinking about her nagging in my ear makes me sick. I remember when she first came back to the country, she was pretty good at pretending—how does she seem so cheap now?
The three of us have already laid our cards on the table. She wants to get back with Levi, and Levi treats her well, so why does Levi play dumb when I ask for a divorce?
I've already asked for a divorce—why won't he respond?
Hasn't he been hoping for us to separate all these years?