The Ex-Wife He Can’t Have novel Chapter 45

Jillian simply stared right back into her eyes.

For a fleeting moment, Mrs. Zeller actually felt a twinge of panic under that steady gaze.

After all, the main family estate didn't even know she had kicked Jillian out.

All Jillian had to do was make one phone call to the matriarchs, Eleanor and Sienna, and they would force Killian to let her stay permanently.

If that happened, not even Killian would dare defy the elders' orders, let alone a mere housekeeper like her.

"Mrs. Lewis," Jillian called out softly, completely ignoring Mrs. Zeller.

"Yes, ma'am, I'm here," Mrs. Lewis quickly answered.

"Connor will be home from school soon. Please start on dinner."

"Right away, ma'am."

Mrs. Lewis hurried into the kitchen.

Jillian turned away to go about her business.

Mrs. Zeller let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Jillian had fundamentally changed.

The woman was no longer intimidated by her, yet she didn't react with anger to her insults either.

She just remained perfectly detached, acting as if Mrs. Zeller didn't even exist.

It made Mrs. Zeller feel as though she were violently punching a wall of cotton.

During the few days Killian was away, Jillian and Connor actually got along wonderfully.

Ever since Jillian had firmly disciplined him for lying, Connor had developed a newfound respect for her, dropping his previously spoiled and entitled attitude.

One morning, Jillian woke up early.

Seeing how messy Connor's desk was, she decided to tidy it up for him.

Noticing a drawing placed face down, she casually reached out to pick it up.

Just then, Connor pushed the door open and yelled, "Mom, don't touch that!"

He lunged forward and snatched the paper from her grasp. The sharp edge sliced across Jillian's palm, sending a sting of pain through her hand.

Swallowing her frustration, Jillian asked gently, "Is this your drawing? Why can't Mom see it?"

Connor blinked nervously. "It's for the art festival! If I show it to anyone before the exhibition, it won't be a surprise anymore."

Deep down, she suspected his business trip was just an excuse to travel with Sylvia, and they were undoubtedly sharing a hotel room.

A suffocating wave of despair washed over her chest, the painful realization gnawing at her from the inside out.

She already knew the truth about their affair. She knew they had likely been living together for quite some time.

Yet, having that truth confirmed over and over again was still a bitter pill to swallow.

"Things are better between you and Connor, right?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah."

"At the end of the day, he's only four. It's totally expected for the Quincy family to spoil him."

Daniel was right. Regardless of everything else, Connor was her flesh and blood. She couldn't take her marital frustrations out on an innocent child.

She had brought him into this world, and she had a responsibility to care for him.

More importantly, Jillian had no intentions of ever remarrying or having more children. Connor would be her only child for the rest of her life. She couldn't let her impending divorce destroy their bond.

"Connor really is a sweet kid when he wants to be. He loves you very much."

Daniel's encouraging words lifted a heavy weight off Jillian's shoulders, allowing her to tackle the rest of her workweek with a genuine smile.