Chasing the Unexpected

anger

Wilhelm looked up and saw Jane glaring at him fiercely.

Startled, he stammered, “Mom… Mommy, why are you-”

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Before he could finish, Jane yanked him up and delivered two hard smacks to his backside. She scolded, “Why did you lie?! Do you have any idea how serious the consequences of your lie are?!”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and the harder she hit Wilhelm.

Having been spoiled while growing up, Wilhelm had never been hit like this before. He immediately burst into tears, his sobs echoing throughout the villa. “Wah… Mommy, please stop! I know I was wrong! I’ll never lie again…”

Jane smacked him a few more times, still fuming. “Shut up!”

Frightened by her terrifying demeanor, Wilhelm was stunned before bursting into a high- pitched, panicked cry that filled the entire villa.

A maid rushed over. “Ms. Wilkie, you can’t hit a child like this, and Mr. Wilhelm is frightened…”

Jane shot the maid a cold glance, causing her to fall silent. The maid shrank back and stared at the floor as if she hadn’t seen anything.

Bothered by Wilhelm’s cries, Jane tossed him to the maid. “Make him shut up!”

Without a care that Wilhelm was crying so hard he could barely breathe, Jane headed upstairs to her bedroom. Once inside, she tossed her bag on the floor and sat at her vanity, looking utterly exhausted.

If Gabriel didn’t help her, she honestly didn’t know who else to turn to. Could she really have to come clean to Pedro?

Just the thought of that possibility made her chest feel heavy, but it seemed there were no other options.

That evening, Gabriel sensed something was off as soon as he arrived home.

Usually, Wilhelm would either be

was nowhere to be seen, quietly satching TV or running around the villa, but today he

in his room.

As the maid came forward to help him change his shoes, she reported in a low voice, “Mr. Hackett, Ms. Wilkie isn’t in a good mood today. She punished Mr. Wilhelm and then went

to her room. She hasn’t come out since.”

“Got it. I’ll go check on her,” Gabriel replied.

Hearing this, the maid felt relieved. In the past whenever Jane was upset, Gabriel could cheer her up in no time.

“Okay, dinner is ready and being kept warm in the kitchen. It’s ready whenever you are,” the maid reminded him.

Gabriel nodded and headed upstairs. He paused at the bedroom door and knocked. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

A frustrated voice called out from inside, “Didn’t I say I’m not eating dinner tonight? Bother me again, and you can pack up and leave!”

“Jane, it’s me. Open the door. Let’s talk,” Gabriel said.

After a few seconds of silence, Jane replied icily “Gabriel, since you won’t help me, there’s nothing left to talk about. You can sleep in the guest room tonight. I don’t want to see you.”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “I actually had a solution in mind, but it seems you don’t need me now, so I’ll just leave.”

Silence returned as if Jane hadn’t heard him at all.

Gabriel was in no rush, casually standing at the door. In less than a minute, he heard footsteps, and the door opened to reveal Jane’s angry face.

“What’s your solution?” she asked.