Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 144

When Jonathan got home late that night after work, the house was cold and empty.

For the past few days, whenever he returned late, Stephanie had left a light on for him in the hallway.

But not today.

It was completely dark. Jonathan’s eyes fell on the shoes Stephanie had changed out of, sitting on the shoe rack.

He then headed upstairs.

The light in the third-floor bedroom was off. It seemed she was already asleep, the room perfectly still.

Jonathan stared at her door for a moment before going to his own room to shower.

Just as he stepped out of the bathroom, he heard a sound from upstairs.

It sounded like something falling to the floor.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Jonathan walked up to the third floor.

…

Stephanie was caught in a hazy dream.

She was sixteen again.

In the funeral hall lay the bodies of her father and two older brothers.

She knelt alone on the floor, sobbing until her voice gave out, her body swaying, on the verge of collapsing.

She couldn't find Susan. Worried her mother was too overcome with grief, she went to look for her.

But after searching everywhere in the Jackson family estate, she still couldn’t find her.

As she passed the private lounge behind the main hall, Stephanie suddenly stopped.

A strange noise came from inside. Peeking through a narrow crack in the door, she saw it… Susan, wrapped in another man's arms.

Separated by only a door, Stephanie’s body trembled uncontrollably. Her feet felt as if they were filled with lead, and tears streamed down her face.

Her father and mother had been so in love.

They had never once raised their voices at each other in all those years; they were a model couple.

How could she be with another man at her husband's funeral?

Her eyes were still brimming with tears, and through the blur, she saw him sitting on the edge of her bed, his sleep shirt half-open.

The man’s deep chestnut hair was still damp, as if he’d just showered, and a few drops of water lingered on his neck.

Stephanie’s face was soft with the lingering haze of sleep.

The night was deep, dotted with stars. The only light in the room came from a single wall lamp, its warm yellow glow casting a soft filter over Jonathan’s handsome features.

“A nightmare?”

“Yeah.”

He didn't ask what she had dreamed about to make her cry so hard. Instead, he said, “What did you have to eat with your friend today?”

“Hot pot.”

“Tobias ran into you two, did you know?”

Stephanie paused. “He did?” She had been so focused on eating that she hadn’t noticed.

“He didn't want to disturb you, so he didn't say hi. But he did send me a text giving me a hard time.”