Chapter 52: Scared

Jean was currently browsing job listings online. She knew Kai would be angry if he found out, but the truth was that she had no intention of starting work immediately. It was simply something she needed to consider for the future.

Once Elara grew a little older, Jean knew she could not remain completely dependent on Kai. Sooner or later, she would need something of her own, some way to stand on her own feet instead of relying entirely on him.

Back in school, she had been a fairly good pianist. There had been a time when playing came naturally to her, when she could sit in front of a piano and lose herself in the music. But years had passed without practice. At this point, she doubted she could play even the simplest notes without constantly looking down at the keys.

Besides, in a world plagued by chaos and uncertainty, music had become something of a luxury. It was mostly enjoyed by the wealthy, the people who were secure enough to spend their time pursuing things that had no direct bearing on survival.

There certainly wasn’t going to be a job listing asking her to play the piano.

And aside from that, Jean could not think of any particular talent she possessed that she could rely on.

She had a bachelor’s degree in finance, but most of her credentials had been lost when she left home. She had even been forced to destroy her phone, taking away whatever digital records she might have used to prove her qualifications. Without them, finding a decent job would be extremely difficult.

’Should I really start from a small shop after all?’

She had worked as a cashier in a few stores and as a server in a small café before. She knew she could probably find similar work again.

But even imagining herself leaving Blue Mountain, changing into a uniform and spending her days waiting tables made her hesitate.

’It would hurt his reputation.’

The thought left her sighing quietly.

More than the work itself, Jean was troubled by what it would mean to leave.

The thought of being separated from Elara was unbearable. Even when the doctor had suggested leaving Elara at daycare during the day with the other children, Jean had felt anxious at the mere idea.

How was she supposed to spend her days away from this home?

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Kai with Elara. If anything, she knew he would probably take even better care of their daughter than she could.

But that wasn’t the point.

The very thought of leaving this place, the place where Elara was growing up, weighed heavily on her. And the thought of leaving Kai behind troubled her just as much.

She had been trying to suppress those feelings, convincing herself that keeping her distance was the right thing to do. She didn’t want to become a burden to him, nor did she want her presence to complicate his life any further.

Yet no matter how hard she tried to reason with herself, there was one truth she could no longer ignore.

Her heart grew heavy whenever she imagined parting ways with him.

’Do I actually still like him?’

Jean’s fingers slowly rose to her cheek, brushing the spot Kai had caressed that morning.

There had been a time when she had a crush on him. A time when their rivalry had existed alongside a quiet admiration she had felt for him as a man. Even the occasional moments when he spoke to her in class without any particular reason had been enough to make her feel strangely special.

But time had passed.

Those feelings had eventually faded. They had gone their separate ways, and Jean had never really gotten the chance to experience her first romance.

At least, that was what she had believed.

Now, after spending so much time with him again, she found herself remembering emotions she had thought were buried long ago.

And Kai had changed as well.

He was more expressive now, more open with her, and far closer than he had ever been back then. Above all, they now shared something that would prevent any possible separation

They had a child.

Somehow, that fact made the distance between them feel smaller than it ever had before.

Jean lowered her gaze, her fingers lingering against her cheek.

Perhaps that was why the thought of leaving hurt so much.

Knock.

A sudden knock at the door made her flinch.

Her eyes immediately shifted toward the clock.

There were still two hours left.

Kai had said he would be back by four.

A thought suddenly crossed her mind. Perhaps Kai had sent another courier, just as he had yesterday.

She was about to open the door and check when her phone suddenly rang.

It was Kai.

Knock.

Another knock sounded from outside, but Jean immediately stopped herself. Instead of going to the door, she answered the call.

"Hello?"

{Jean, whatever happens, don’t open the door.}

Jean silently stepped away from the door and retreated toward the bed before asking, "What is it, Kai?" Her voice had dropped to a whisper as she glanced at Elara, who was still busily playing with her favorite toy.

{Someone was sent to verify that you’re living with me. They might be disguised as a courier and try to get you to open the door. Don’t respond to them. I’m reaching there in a minute.}

Bang! Bang!

"Is someone inside?" a voice shouted from outside. "It’s an emergency!"

A heavy hand slammed against the door.

Jean’s heart immediately began to race. She hurried to the bed, picked Elara up and retreated into the corner, holding her daughter tightly against her chest.

Thump. Thump.

"Please, open the door..." the man begged from outside, his voice sounding increasingly desperate. "I need help."

Every knock sent another jolt through Jean’s chest.

She hugged Elara closer and kept her eyes fixed on the door, her entire body tense as she waited. Fear prickled beneath her skin, but she forced herself to remain silent.

Elara suddenly began scratching at her neck again. A soft groan escaped the little girl as she squirmed in her mother’s arms, trying to free herself.

Jean quickly adjusted her hold, making sure not to hurt her.

"Please..." she whispered. "Stay quiet, Elli."

Elara looked up at her mother. Her eyes were already moist, her little lips trembling as discomfort spread across her face.

The child was in pain, and there was nothing Jean could do except hold her and wait.

Then suddenly...

Click.

The lock began to turn.

Jean’s entire body stiffened. She instinctively pulled Elara closer and raised her guard as the door slowly pushed open.

But when the man finally stepped inside, the tension that had seized her body began to ease.

It was Kai.

He looked toward the two of them and released a long breath, the relief evident in his expression. He quickly locked the door behind him before turning back to Jean.

"Are you okay?"

Jean slowly nodded.

She carefully laid Elara down on the bed and asked, "Sorry, baby. Are you hurting?"

Elara looked uncomfortable, but she wasn’t crying.

Jean gently adjusted her position, making sure her neck remained exposed to the cool air. Once she was satisfied that Elara was comfortable, she remained beside her, watching anxiously.

"Jean."

Kai’s voice drew her attention, but she didn’t look up.

He walked closer and rested a hand gently on her shoulder.

"Were you scared?"

Jean paused.

Her head lowered a little further before she finally gave him a small nod.

Kai exhaled softly. Without saying anything else, he pulled her against him.

"Don’t worry," he murmured. "Everything is fine now."