The weather was hot, and because Jeanette's arm injury had gone untreated for too long, it became infected and started to worsen. The doctor insisted she be admitted to the hospital, and she agreed.
She had taken care of Skyler around the clock for the past three years and had never once stepped away, even when she was sick herself. But now, she wanted to live for herself.
Jeanette turned off her phone and stayed in the hospital, using the quiet time to rest and read.
Watching the doctors rush up and down the hallways filled her with longing. Once, her dream had been to become a great doctor, to heal people and make a difference. However, after signing that contract with Dorothea, she let go of that dream.
Now, with a new opportunity to return to school, she simply wanted to study hard and one day work on the front lines of medicine again, finishing what she started.
Just before discharge, Jeanette ran into Isadora in the hospital corridor.
Isadora was there with a friend who had a check-up. The moment she saw Jeanette, she stormed over, fuming.
She snapped, "Country girl, what the hell are you doing? Disappearing on purpose? Do you even realize how messed up everything's been at home? Skye's been looking everywhere for you!"
"Why would he be looking for me?" Jeanette was puzzled. She thought she had given Skyler and Kimberly plenty of space to enjoy their time together in peace.
Isadora groaned and ran a hand through her hair. "I don't have time to explain. Just go back and see for yourself."
With that, Isadora completely ignored Jeanette's wound and dragged her out of the hospital, bringing her home.
As soon as Jeanette entered the mansion's front door, she noticed something different. The garden that had been lush and green a week ago was now completely withered, and the house was a complete mess.
Skyler heard the noise at the entrance, and his eyes suddenly lit up. He strode to the door and grabbed Jeanette's injured arm.
"Where did you run off to? Jeanette, you're really developing quite an attitude! Just because I was a little late taking you to the hospital, you decided to run away from home! Look what a mess this house has become!"
Jeanette felt pain shoot from her wound all the way to her bones. Blood had started to seep through her bandage again. It finally hit her that Skyler had not been looking for her because he cared.
He had been looking for her because the house was falling apart without a maid. He did not care about her injury or where she had been during this time. Instead, he would only blame her for not being the dutiful wife she used to be.
Jeanette gritted her teeth and pulled her arm from his grip. "Skyler, you're hurting me!"
Only then did Skyler notice the blood stains on her clothes.
He remembered the burn from the cafeteria and finally softened. He said, "I didn't realize it got that bad. Fine, this time I was wrong, but you running away from home cancels that out. Come here. I have something to show you."
For the first time ever, Skyler took her hand in his and led her upstairs. He placed a sparkling diamond necklace in front of her and said, "This is for you. A little something for your injury. Kimmy's moving out too, so don't stay mad, okay?"
Jeanette opened her mouth, unsure what to say. In the past, she had hoped every day that he would give her a gift, anything at all.
But now that it was sitting in front of her, she could not tell if he gave it because he cared or because of Kimberly.
Jeanette expressionlessly took the box and placed it on the table. She turned and went to her room to shower, but when she came out, she saw Kimberly wearing that necklace in front of the mirror.
Kimberly saw Jeanette in the mirror and smiled smugly at her. "Sorry, Ms. Schafer. I hope you don't mind. I just mentioned yesterday that I liked this necklace, and today, Skye bought it back. He really is—"
Before Kimberly could finish, Skyler came out of the kitchen. He saw the necklace around Kimberly's neck and was momentarily stunned.
Kimberly hugged his arm, being all sweet. "Skye, you're so thoughtful. I really love this gift."
Skyler looked at Jeanette with complicated feelings, then at Kimberly. After a long moment, he finally spoke. "I'm glad you like it."
"Yeah," Jeanette mumbled quietly. "As long as Ms. Affleck likes it."
She brushed past them without another word and headed to the garden. A familiar fragrance drifted past his nose, and Skyler watched Jeanette's retreating figure, feeling something strange.
He was surprised that Jeanette was not angry, and he wondered if she was just pretending. Then again, it did not matter.
After all, it was just a necklace. He could buy her something more expensive next time.
He quickly convinced himself that Jeanette would not be that petty.
