"I told Dad and Mom to go back home. I don't need a bunch of babysitters. I'm not some three -year old, you know?" Rachel said and took over Jack's coat. "How is everything going on with the police?"
"Nothing."
Since the company scandal, this word had become Jack's pet phrase.
There was a time when Rachel would genuinely believe him. Now, she was not so sure—in fact, it almost always meant the opposite.
"Jack, tell me the truth," she insisted.
Rachel stared at Jack with such seriousness that he had no choice but to tell her what really transpired at the police station. He gently added, "Rachel, I just don't want you to worry about me. That's all, really."
"But, you and I are a couple. We should be together through thick and thin, shouldn't we?" Rachel said with a pout. "Don't make me look like a fool. How can I call myself your wife if I know nothing about this matter? I don't want our marriage to be over just because of some silly disaster." Her calm tone added meaningfulness to her words.
Jack couldn't help but hug Rachel tightly. He was overwhelmed with emotions that tears streamed down his face. He felt loved. "I feel so lucky to have you by my side, Rachel," he whispered.
They hugged for some time. Rachel silently hoped that things turned out well. The gravity of her husband's predicament dawned on her and it dampened her mood.
It also didn't help that the baby in her belly had been growing rapidly these past few days. Her body had grown more sluggish. It was also getting harder to cheer herself up despite her efforts.
The couple had dinner. After that, she just went straight and sat on the couch instead of prepping for the usual walk. She was clearly not in the mood for some activity.
Jack found his wife sitting lousily on the couch with an irritated look. He just came out of the bathroom and had now joined Rachel on the couch. He shook his head playfully and said, "Honey, didn't the doctor advise you to take more walks? Come on, get up. Hang out with me for a while."
"I don't want to go. I don't want to move an inch," Rachel replied lazily.
Jack set the remote controller aside and held her hand. "Let's go out for a couple of steps. If you're too tired to walk, then I will support you."
His coaxing worked! She got up and the two of them headed to the door.
Usually, the couple took the 5-minute path from their house to the main road and walked back and forth for two rounds. As soon as they stepped outside, Rachel insisted, "Today, I will only walk one round. I really don't want to do this. Perhaps, if you're the one with the baby, you would feel the same way."
"Okay, okay." As long as Rachel was willing to go, one round was enough for Jack. He didn't push her any further.
The two held each other's hand as they walked. The sunset bathed everything in a soft, golden glow and the two casted long shadows on the pavement.
Their quiet walk was broken when Jack's phone suddenly rang.
These past two days, Rachel would always get nervous whenever she heard his phone ring. Jack stepped away and took the call. She heard him hum a few times and then hanged up.
Jack joined Rachel again and tucked his phone back in his pocket. He noticed her concerned look. He couldn't help but grin. "It was from Austin. Nothing to worry about."
As soon as he said "Nothing", he became painfully aware how it triggered Rachel in a bad way. He immediately grabbed her hand and explained, "It was just about the press conference tomorrow. We thought it would clear things up and stop our investors from pulling out their shares one after another."
He then gazed into the distance and said in a tired voice, "After all, even if I'm removed from my position, the company will still exist. I need to do this for the future of the company."
As soon as he muttered those words, Rachel spat on the ground three times. She let go of Jack's hand and then walked towards the nearest tree by the roadside. She knocked on the trunk and told Jack, "You should stop saying unlucky things."
Jack was bemused by his wife's antics. "What were you doing, Rachel?"
"I just knocked on that tree to get rid of the curse." Rachel brushed the bits of bark off her hands. "You will definitely continue to run MK Group. I won't allow you to say something silly again."
Jack rubbed her nose affectionately while he whispered her name again and again. His chest was full of mixed feelings.
There was no mistaking it; true love blooms in the midst of crisis.
After they finished one round, Jack thought that maybe Rachel could do one more since she was quite energetic earlier. To his surprise, she went straight to the door and just stood there facing him.
Rachel shook her head like a child, indicating her refusal. Jack was at a loss. He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. He eventually acquiesced and nodded, "Alright, it's over today."
"Okay," Rachel answered loudly.
The sight of the couple brought tears to Julie's eyes. She was looking out the window, basking in the early evening view, when she saw them walking together. She wiped the tears off with the palm of her hand.
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