The commotion subsided at last.
Before leaving, a police officer said smilingly to Courtney, "I've handled many missing persons cases over the years, but I've never seen a husband as devoted as Mr. Hawthorn. Don't make him worry again."
Jesse defended her with a displeased frown. "Courtney only went for a walk. Worrying about her is my business. It's not her fault."
The officer shook his head, amused. "You're right. As long as your wife is safe and sound."
Courtney apologized to the officers and saw them out.
Jesse stayed glued to her side the entire time, unwilling to let her out of his sight. When he noticed the velvet box in her hand, his eyes lit up. "Babe, did you get new jewelry?"
Courtney replied, "It's for you."
"For me?"
"Yes. Your birthday gift."
"Thank you, babe! Can I open it now?"
"Let's wait until your birthday."
Jesse's 30th birthday was a week away; the same day, her flight would depart at 5:00 am.
By the time he woke up and opened the velvet box to find a lump of platinum and a diamond, Courtney would've taken the memory-erasing potion and crossed the border.
Their story had begun with this ring, so it was only fitting for it to end with it.
In the following days, Jesse seemed afraid Courtney might disappear again. He canceled all his work and stayed home with her every day.
He cooked meals, watched TV shows with her, and went on walks in the park together.
For a moment, Courtney felt as though they had returned to the early days of their relationship when they'd been so in love and loyal to each other.
Yet, the endless incoming messages on her phone shattered that illusion.
Mia texted, "Courtney, I saw you by the window that day.
"I know you saw what happened between me and Jesse in the car. To be honest, we've been together since four years ago, right when you first started sponsoring my studies.
"I became his woman when I was 18. I don't want to spend my life treating him like a brother.
"Courtney, you gave me money to attend college, opened my horizons, and introduced me to the most wonderful man.
"I'll show you that he can't live without me."
Then, she sent a video. It was long—an hour and 40 minutes.
The moment Courtney saw the duration, she already knew what it was.
While Jesse went to buy her a drink, she tapped on the video.
Inside the cramped car, Jesse's face was filled with pleasure. He pinned Mia against the seatback, relentless despite her sobbing pleas for him to stop.
After that, Mia traced circles on his body and teased, "Do you think this is fair to Courtney?"
Jesse merely chuckled and said, "A man's love and lust are separated. I genuinely love her, but I can't get enough of your body either."
"So, we'll never be officially together?"
"I can give you anything but a title."
"What if I want a child?"
After a moment of thought, Jesse replied, "Then we won't use protection today. It'll feel better anyway."
Courtney couldn't bear to watch any longer and closed the video.
When Jesse returned, he handed her a bottle of water and said, "Babe, here. I had the store heat it for you. The weather's cold. It'll help warm you up."
Courtney took the bottle. It was indeed warm.
Jesse then cupped her cheeks with his hands, and his brows furrowed slightly. "Why is your face so cold? You look pale. Are you feeling unwell?"
She turned her face away to avoid his touch. "No. I just saw a video earlier that made me feel sick."
"You should skip videos like that next time. Don't watch them."
"Yeah, I'll never watch them again."
