Fortunately, I woke up quickly.
The driver wasn't going very fast, so I was just startled and had some scrapes on my limbs. But the moment I opened my eyes and saw Jacob, tears spilled uncontrollably down my cheeks.
Seeing me awake, Jacob looked tense. "Josephine, how are you? Anywhere hurting?" he asked.
I shook my head, but the tears wouldn't stop.
Jacob wiped my tears with a pained expression, his eyes filled with guilt and unease. He took my hand and pressed it tightly against his cheek. "Josephine, I was wrong. I promise to be completely devoted to you from now on. Please don't ever do something this foolish again, okay?"
I finally stopped crying and spoke through sobs. "Really?"
Jacob nodded, raised his palm and swore with utmost sincerity. "I promise to treat Josephine Nelson wholeheartedly from now on. If I break this vow, may I never see Josephine again."
From that day on, Jacob seemed like a different person, tending to me with the greatest care in the hospital every day.
I thought he had finally realized his true feelings and that he loved me, too. But when the truth was revealed, I realized how foolish I had been. It was all just wishful thinking on my part.
Jacob had never changed. In his heart, there had always been only one person: Natalia.
By the time I came to my senses, Jacob was already getting ready to leave.
He answered a call from a friend in the car and the person on the other end stammered for a long time.
Jacob grew impatient and raised his voice. "What is it?"
"Jacob, are you okay?"
Confused, he snapped back, "What's wrong? Of course, I'm fine."
The voice on the other end seemed stunned, pausing for several seconds before speaking. "We heard the news that Josephine and your son are gone. Jacob, we're so sorry for your loss!"
Jacob slammed on the brakes, a sudden wave of panic washing over him. His tone turned sharp. "What nonsense are you spouting? Josephine and my son weren't home. She must be upset because I went to pick up Natalia yesterday."
"When she gets back, I'll just cheer her up. Don't mess with me! If Josephine finds out, I'll make you pay."
Before the other person could respond, Jacob hung up.
The veins on the back of his hand bulged as he gripped the phone. With a heavy sigh, as if steeled in resolve, he dialed my number. Unfortunately, a mechanical female voice announced the phone was turned off.
He refused to accept it. However, I never turned my phone off, let alone ignored his calls. I must have been furious at that time.
Jacob thought that if he just bought me gifts like before and sweet-talked me, I'd calm down. I had always been obedient and compliant with him, no matter what.
He dialled the number repeatedly, but it remained switched off.
My son and I had disappeared, but where could we have gone?
Suddenly, his phone rang. His expression brightened as he hurriedly lifted it, but the smile on his face froze when he saw Natalia's name on the screen before he finally pressed the answer button.
"Jacob, there's thunder. I'm scared of being home alone. Can you come keep me company?"
Strangely, Jacob didn't feel his usual excitement after hearing Natalia's voice. Perhaps it was because he still hadn't found me and our son. Yet for the first time, he felt a hint of irritation toward Natalia, thinking she was being overly delicate.
After he married me, he had once asked me if I was afraid of thunder. At that time, I had looked at him with amusement and said, "What's there to be scared of? I'm not some fragile woman."
Suddenly, Jacob found himself missing me. It felt like ages since he'd seen my smile, heard me call him Jacob, or experienced my unique way of caring for him.
