"Jackson, at one time in the past, you tried so hard to protect me, now you only want me to die?" Sally had a pitiful look in her eyes looking up at Jackson. She wondered if he could really bring himself to hurt her.
Jackson looked down silently at Sally. His relationship with her was somewhat complex and this couldn't be solved easily.
Cherry and Joe looked at Sally too, without saying anything. They were all waiting to hear what Jackson would say.
Jackson remained quiet and didn't respond to Sally's question for a long while.
Sally cast her angry eyes in Joe's direction and said harshly, "Your son looks very smart."
Cherry held Joe tighter to her but didn't say a word.
Joe turned half round to look up into Sally's eyes, and saw the hatred, jealousy, dissatisfaction, and anger staring back at him. He wondered, 'Does she love Daddy a lot? Or, does she hate Mommy a lot?'
"Leave right now! Don't let Grandfather see you, or I can't guarantee what will happen." Jackson coldly threatened as he glowered at Sally.
Sally understood Jackson's veiled threat. If his grandfather saw her, she couldn't imagine how he would treat her. If he wanted to secretly kill her, it would be easier than pinching an ant. Nowhere else but the military residential compound could that happen.
Sally gave Cherry and Joe a hate-filled glance before she turned and left.
Cherry watched Sally leave, and reassured her son in a low voice, "It's okay, it's okay, Joe. Let's go to say goodbye to Great-grandpa now. We are going home."
"Okay, " Joe lovingly told his mother.
Seeing Cherry and their son heading into the house, Jackson had a sudden realization. He looked around but didn't see the Butler. He clearly remembered the Butler had taken Joe out earlier. His Grandfather asked him to take good care of Joe. If it wasn't for the fact that Cherry and he were standing in the yard, he didn't know what Sally would have done to Joe.
A complicated emotion showed in Jackson's eyes.
Cherry and Joe said their goodbyes to Grandfather before they went out and got in Jackson's car.
Jackson saw Cherry and Joe sitting in the car, and told his grandfather, "Grandpa, we're leaving now, but we'll come back to see you again soon."
Andrew nodded, looked over at the car and asked Jackson, "Cherry seems to be a little unhappy, did you make her angry again?"
Jackson didn't know how to answer his question.
"Oh, I hadn't noticed, I will ask her later. I am sure it is nothing." Jackson knew Cherry didn't tell Andrew about Sally.
"Well, as a couple, you should live well together. Treat her better and take good care of Joe. He is really cute even though he is quite naughty." Andrew couldn't help but smile when he talked about Joe.
"Yes, I know, Grandpa." Jackson nodded, "Okay, we're leaving now."
"Okay, go, don't keep them waiting too long for you, " said Andrew.
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