The Ex-Wife He Can’t Have novel Chapter 123

The cleaner didn't notice the movement behind her. Keeping her head down, she meticulously wiped her cleaning tools, casually pulling her mask down to her chin.

Jillian slowly leaned in, her voice suddenly tightening as she recognized the familiar face. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

Judith Jarrett's head snapped up. Caught entirely off guard, her eyes instantly filled with panic and embarrassment as she met her daughter's gaze.

Afraid that Jillian would be angry or humiliated, she hurriedly explained, "Jill, don't be mad. I just can't sit idle at home. I've worked hard my whole life, and doing nothing makes my skin crawl. I really didn't mean to keep this from you."

Too busy explaining, she failed to notice Jillian's fingers curling slightly at her sides, or the layered waves of sorrow, loneliness, and heartache welling up in her daughter's eyes.

A heavy lump formed in Jillian's throat. "Mom, you should have told me."

"I didn't want you to worry, and I definitely didn't want to be a burden."

Judith smiled weakly, wiping her hands on the towel tied around her waist. Her eyes were filled with cautious apprehension.

Jillian didn't have the heart to say another word. She asked softly, "You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

"I'm not hungry. There's no rush. The manager said they'd hand out staff meals later."

Jillian glanced down at her phone screen. It was already nine o'clock at night.

How could she not have eaten at this hour?

The sour ache in her chest instantly spread into a dense, suffocating pain.

"Wait right here. I'll go grab you some food," Jillian said.

"Don't!" Judith hastily reached out to grab her, her eyes full of shame. "Don't go to the trouble. It's bad if people see you. They'll laugh at you..."

Jillian looked up at her, her tone gentle but carrying an undeniable firmness.

"Just wait here. I'll be right back. If you leave, I'll search every corner until I find you."

The two women quickly filled two massive plates with warm, hearty food and walked out of the hall together.

Just as expected, Judith was still standing right where she had been told, hovering awkwardly in a secluded corner and glancing around nervously.

Seeing the elegant and poised Mallory walking beside her daughter, Judith's face flushed bright red. She instinctively tried to shrink back.

Jillian walked up and handed her the plates. "Eat up. Your stomach will act up if you stay empty for this long."

Judith looked at Mallory nervously and whispered, "Who is this?"

Before Jillian could introduce her, Mallory smiled warmly. "Hi, Judith. I'm Jillian's friend. My last name is Vaughn, but you can just call me Mallory."

"Oh, alright. Nice to meet you, Ms. Vaughn," Judith replied hastily, her tone stiff and polite.

"I brought you some soup," Mallory said, handing over a steaming bowl. She carefully added, "It's warm and soothing on the stomach. Have a little of this first."