Revenge: Once His Wife, Now His Regret - Chapter 143: Chapter 143

"When I got up at six, Mr. Zale had already left," Wendy explained. "Apparently, there was some trouble with a project. Caleb called first thing this morning, rushing him out the door."
'So he left at six,' Sally thought.
"Sally, there's something I've been wanting to ask, if you don't mind," Wendy said gently.
Sally looked up, her expression neutral. "Go ahead. What is it?"
"You and Mr. Zale... Brad, I mean. Has the divorce not been finalized yet?" Wendy asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Sally paused for a beat. "No, not yet," she said quietly. "But it should be soon."
Wendy looked worried. "The sooner, the better, I should think."
Sally managed a weak smile. "Why do you say that?"
"To be honest, I've worked for Mr. Zale for years, and this is the first time he's ever brought a woman home," Wendy confided. "I can tell he really cares about you."
The spoon in Sally's hand froze.
After a moment, she asked, "Jaxon's never brought anyone home before? Not even Kendall?"
Wendy shook her head. "No, never."
Sally's lashes fluttered.
'They're so close,' she mused. 'Does that mean Kendall just shows up uninvited every time?'
After leaving Longbay, Sally drove to her clinic. By evening, she still hadn't heard a word from Jaxon.
Three days later.
That afternoon, just as Sally was seeing a patient out, she spotted a familiar car parked outside.
Brad was perched on the hood, a cigarette in his hand, watching her with a lazy, indifferent gaze.
Sally froze for a second before striding over to him. "What do you want?"
Brad flicked the ash from his cigarette. "A good friend of Grandpa's is throwing a party for his new great-grandson tomorrow. Grandpa wants me to take you. Get yourself ready, I'll have someone pick you up in the evening."
"Not going." Sally's refusal was instant and sharp.
Brad's hand holding the cigarette paused for a second.
He tossed the cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his polished leather shoe. "I don't want to take you either," he said, his tone clipped and cold. "But Howard gave the order. You don't get to say no."
"Then I'll tell him myself," Sally said firmly, turning to leave.
Brad's low voice stopped her. "Howard just got his health back. This is the first party he's attending since he recovered. Even Jaxon agreed to go. You're really going to refuse?"
Sally's steps faltered. 'Jaxon's going to be there?'
"Don't tell me you think you're more important than Jaxon. Does Grandpa need to come and ask you personally before you'll deign to show up?" Brad strode forward, circling around to block her path.
His glare was colder than she'd ever seen it.
Sally just stared back at him, her own gaze intense, saying nothing.
If it were just her and Brad, she wouldn't even consider it. But if Jaxon was going... that was different.
For some reason, she found herself wanting to see him.
Jaxon used to pop up every other day, but these past three days had been complete radio silence.
"Can you just give me an answer? Are you going or not?" Brad pressed.
"If you don't bring Lena, I'll think about it." Sally said.
His face darkened for a second. "Do you really think I have no class?" he growled. "Why would I bring her to an event like this?"
"Yes," Sally said, nodding seriously. "In the entire Zale family, besides Nick, you're the one with the least class."
He always brought Lena to family dinners, serving her food right in front of everyone, as if he had no shame.
And he had the nerve to talk about class?
Sally turned and walked away, hearing him muttering behind her, "Sally, you're getting bolder and bolder... "
She ignored him and disappeared back into the clinic.
After getting home and giving her son a bath, Sally went up to her loft studio to work on restoring the Madonna Locket for Jaxon.
It had been days, and Jaxon hadn't sent a single text. Sally had enjoyed the peace and quiet, and she had no intention of messaging him first.
But for some reason, her heart felt hollow, like something was missing. It was a strange, indescribable feeling.
"Sally! Sally!" A voice suddenly shattered her thoughts.
Sally looked up to see Abigail pushing the studio door open, a tense look on her face as she rushed toward her.
"What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?" Sally asked with a small smile, watching her friend intently.
Abigail shoved her phone at Sally, her face full of confusion. "Who is this woman? Why is Jaxon taking her to look at jewelry?"
Sally lowered her gaze to the phone's screen. When she saw the photo, her eyelids fluttered.
In the picture, Jaxon and Kendall were in a couture jewelry boutique. They were both looking down at a piece of jewelry, gentle smiles on their faces.
The scene looked exactly like a newly engaged couple thoughtfully picking out their wedding bands.
It was an achingly beautiful, almost enviable sight.
"I thought Jaxon didn't have a girlfriend! Who is she?" Abigail's confused voice echoed in her ear.
Abigail had no idea about Kendall, the stunning woman who had been by Jaxon's side for years.
"Where did you take this? When?" Sally asked, trying to sound casual as she handed the phone back. But Abigail caught the flicker of despair in her downcast eyes.
Abigail's voice was heavy. "It was today. My team took me out to dinner for my first day back at work, and I saw them on my way out. I was going to go up and say something, but I didn't want to cause a scene, so I just snapped a picture to ask you about it."
Sally just nodded slowly, unable to form a word.
"Don't tell me he's just like that bastard Brad, two-timing you," Abigail said, her expression growing colder as she stared at Sally.
Sally's lashes fluttered wildly. For a split second, she wondered if they really were picking out rings. Were they actually getting engaged?
"Say something! You're killing me here!" Abigail exclaimed, seeing her friend's silence. She began to pace anxiously.
"I... I don't really know," Sally whispered. "He hasn't contacted me in days. He hasn't been around at all... "
Abigail planted her hands on her hips, incensed. "What? He ghosted you?"
Sally instinctively waved her hands. "It's not that dramatic. We just haven't been in touch for a bit."
"One day of no contact is ghosting! If a man really loves you, how could he... "
"Abigail, there's nothing between us," Sally cut in. "We're not dating, we're certainly not married. He has no obligation to text me every day."
Abigail exploded. "Then what the hell are you? How is what you're doing any different from being his lover?"