Jill was surprised to learn his mother is visiting. She’s a little conflicted, not knowing how to approach her. Things are awkward right now. However, Kate proved to be motherly and righteous. She sided with her and openly berated Josh. She would have thought it’s scripted or something, except their expressions are on point. Kate was glaring at her son and her disdain couldn’t be faked, while Josh showed helplessness and exasperation.

Josh had no choice but to leave them to talk.

Kate was apologetic to Jill for not guiding her son properly and doing hurtful things to her.

“To be honest, if I were you, I would have divorced him already. He knows this. I told him clearly. If he wants you back, he has to work hard and prove himself again. I’m not going to ask you anything on his behalf. He hurt you badly. I’m just here to comfort you. You came back here alone, only to find him doing useless things… I’m sure you needed someone to talk, someone to listen to you… Come, tell me how you feel. Don’t keep your feelings to yourself. Let it out. It won’t be good for the baby if you have pent up anger and frustrations. Curse him out if you want, he deserves it.”

Jill teared up as she listened to her words. By the end of her speech, she was crying and softly laughing already. When Kate pulled her into a hug, she finally cried her heart out. She didn’t say anything, she simply cried.

Josh was watching from the second floor. His mom really…

His heart ached at hearing her cry again.

Kate gently embraced her, caressing her back, sometimes tapping her shoulders…

When she saw Josh, she can only sigh.

This girl has been through a lot. She hoped his son actually understands the depth of his betrayal, which is really not easy to forgive. Even she, his own mother, could not condone such sin. If Jake Harrison did that to her, she’d be sure the divorce papers are signed the same day.

When Jill calmed down, Kate methodically asked her questions to understand her feelings and thought process at the moment.

“You’re angry, aren’t you?”

She smiled in a way that says yes.

“You have strong control over your emotions. In a way, that’s good. In a way, it could be bad as well. Right now, seeing how you can still tolerate Josh’s presence… what do you plan to do?”

Jill bit her lip. Isn’t that the question she had been trying to answer in the last week or so? Slowly, she shook her head.

“I still don’t know.”

“Tell me your thoughts.” Kate took one of her hands and held it. Jill appreciated the connection and the apparent support. She teared up again. She appreciates that his mom is being supportive of her right now. Remembering their first meeting, it was funny. She had called her his new plaything. But that was also the time Josh confessed to her. Ah, the memories of the past. At this point, she can’t say they were good memories.

“I do want to take some time for myself… away from him. But I’m currently broke, so… can’t afford a place to go to. I’m inclined to give him a chance, but only because of the baby.” She managed a chuckle before continuing, “I don’t want her growing up without a father. With a broken family.”

Just saying it out loud is heartbreaking to her. When she found out she’s pregnant, she was very happy. She thought Josh would be happy, too. She’d envisioned them as a source of her happiness. When Josh acted up and refused to communicate, she felt apprehensive. She knew how low he can get. She just didn’t expect that he would really sink that low.

“That’s not the best reason, but I’m sure Josh would take it. He’s serious in wanting you back. He knew he fucked up.” She sent a glare his way.

“I know it’s different. When he slept around before your marriage and after your marriage. It’s not easy. To accept. To forgive. I know if Jake did that to me, we’re done. So, take some time. If you really want to move out and take some time alone, I’ll convince him for you. Do you want that?”

She found herself nodding to Kate’s help.

“Alright. I’ll talk to him. But don’t go disappearing, okay? You’re still my daughter-in-law and this is still my granddaughter. We’re still family regardless of Josh’s actions.”

“Thank you.”

She was pulled into another hug and Kate gently patted her stomach for three seconds.

“How’s the pregnancy? Do you get nauseous? Did you have morning sickness? What have you been craving?” When the conversation turned to that, she relaxed a little and answered easily. It’s just telling his mother what she experienced. That’s much easier to talk about compared to her current thoughts and feelings.

After Kate left her with a promise to come and see her again next weekend, she went to talk to her son. He remained at the second floor and upon seeing her approach, he prepared himself for her evaluation.

He wasn’t expecting her first sentence, though.

“She wants to move out. Seeing you every day while she’s still angry is not helping the two of you.”

“I can’t let her go. What if she doesn’t come back? What would I do, then?” His expression is a bit…

Kate didn’t dare look at his pitiful face. “Well, aren’t you supposed to woo her again? Keep your communications open. When she asks for you, go and see her. If she doesn’t, visit her once or twice a week. Bring her things she would need or appreciate.”

Josh sighed as he thinks it over. In a way, he can understand her desire. But he’s afraid. He wants her close. He wants her where he can see her.

“What do you suggest I do?”

“Get her a place. An apartment. Close to here if you prefer that. Make sure the security’s alright. If you can, convince her to take a maid or two. Moving around and about would be a little difficult for her right now.”

“If I can’t convince her? Could you convince her for me?”

Kate rolled her eyes at his son. Is she going to be the middle-man between them? The negotiator? She sighed. Is it still hard for Jill to talk directly to him? Well, she hasn’t exactly asked. Before she goes back, she’ll have a little talk with her again.

After talking to him, she came down to speak with Jill again.

“Well, I think he’ll be willing to let you move out.” She saw Jill’s complicated expression. The poor girl’s both glad and saddened.

“He has a few conditions, though. He’s not really keen on letting you live apart from him. He would choose the place for you, make sure it’s a good place. No security issues. Also, you’ll have to take a maid or two. In this state, you can’t do all the chores by yourself even if you’re living alone. Pregnant women are usually tired and sleep most of the time. You have his number. If you need him, give him a call. And he’ll visit once or twice a week. I told him not to go more than that, unless you expressly permit that he can come often. In which case, you might as well just move back in.”

She paused and noticed that Jill’s expression relaxed.

“I take it you have no objections to his conditions?” She needed confirmation.

Jill nodded, “All good, I guess.”

What she needed the most is space, and to do so without any difficulties.

She can tell it’s all beneficial for her. Those considerations were because of her condition. She glanced at her stomach. Good job, baby.

With Kate gone, Josh carefully approached Jill and asked her to choose which place she wants. He narrowed it down to a few apartments, the farthest is only ten minutes away, in a car.

Jill stared at him. He always works fast. He’s not keen on letting her go? She expected him to arrange it after a few days while blaming the delay on some random thing. Or maybe Kate told him something. Who knows?

She’s not picky and she knows nothing about these places. She chose one that feels cozy to her.

After deciding, she told Josh about it.

Then he asked which maid she wants to come with her.

She thought for a moment before deciding on the motherly woman. She likes the feeling of having a mother around. She talks to her sometimes, especially when she used to stay at the guest room and won’t go out.

“Take another.”

She considered the suggestion. “Alright. The bubbly one, Therese.”

“Alright. It might take a while. I’ll send people over to clean the place up and buy anything that would be needed. A big fridge. Kitchen stuff. Is there anything you want, specifically?” He asked as he stood up.

She shrugged. It feels a little weird to her. She doesn’t exactly hate his closeness. And seeing him go somehow made her unhappy. Couldn’t he sit with her a little longer?

As for Josh, when he said it might take a while, he decided it will take as long as ten days. There’s the issue of settling the contract, renovating the place a little, getting everything needed to live comfortably there, making sure it’s safe and the neighborhood has no issues.

One time, he approached her in the garden to give her updates on the house. Her responses were repeated hums. He’s not sure if she’s only tolerating his presence or if that meant he should get lost already. Her expression doesn’t look irritated, though. He took a chance and sat on a chair he’d set for the dining table.

He’d noticed this before and he’d been wanting to ask her, “I haven’t seen you writing… or do you do it at night?”

She stiffened at the reminder, glanced at him once, before sighing.

She shook her head as she replied, staring straight at a yellow daisy, “I haven’t written in months.”