They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 312

Chapter 312

Chapter 312

“Mom, I’m about to hit the haunted house. Not scared one bit!

“Mom, check it out! That’s the giant pendulum ride behind me. I’m going up soon. I’m gonna wave to you from the top, so keep an eye tuk

“Mom, look at that massive pirate ship! Remember the first time I rode it? You carried me on…” Jacob’s upbeat voice poured from the video

Jessica watched him posing next to every ride, smiling without warning.

She thought, ‘Has Jake really been thinking of me all this time?‘

Even at the park, he’d made Brian film tons of clips to send her.

When she saw Jacob so full of life in the videos, the worry that had knotted in her since his hospital stay finally unwound.

After the videos, Jessica set her phone down and picked up the letter again.

Brian had written a long note, talking about Jacob and sharing his own thoughts.

[The park’s got tons of rides, but it’s a madhouse in summer.]

[If you want to chill, Jessi, maybe skip this place. But there’s a park nearby with a killer view–especially the man–made lake. The water lilies are in full. bloom, and it’s super peaceful and cool there. Good spot to relax.]

“Park, huh?” Jessica muttered, setting the envelope aside to search online.

Turns out the park and amusement park were close by.

She thought, ‘If we were still together, this would’ve been a perfect family spot. Wait, what am I thinking?”

Jessica shook her head, trying to shake off the thought.

She told herself, ‘Divorced is final. No room for “what–ifs.”

She put Brian’s letter aside, grabbed the kid–friendly envelope, and pulled out a thick stack of postcards.

Each had a local postmark, most with quick notes like “So fun,” “Seriously awesome,” “10/10 would ride again,” and other such hype.

When Jessica flipped through the postcards one by one, her eyes were suddenly filled with Jacob’s beaming smile.

Her fingers brushed the photos tucked among them, her gaze going all soft.

Stay happy, Jake,‘ she thought.

The next morning, when Gabriela called to hang out, Jessica blurted the park’s name.

“Since when do you do parks? That’s such an old–person vibe.” Gabriela snorted.

She lived for the hustle and had zero chill for green spaces.

“Saw a TikTok of their lake. Water lilies are popping. Thought it’d make good art reference for my next piece.” Jessica improvised.

Gabriela deadpanned. “It’s the weekend, Jess. Work mode again?”

“Lightbulb moment. Sketching while we walk isn’t a crime.” Jessica shrugged.

“Ugh, fine.” Gabriela caved. “Send the deets. I’ll swing by.”

1/3

Chapter 312

Jessica agreed to meet up later.

At Atkinson Villa, Brian was off when Jacob begged for another amusement park run.

“Nope. We just went,” Brian shot back.

Jacob pouted, then tried. “How about a picnic?”

Brian flicked his head. “Do I look I have nothing better to do?”

Jacob eyed the spatula in his dad’s hand as if saying, “Really?”

“Think you rank higher than your mom in my book?”

Jacob wilted.

Brian arched a brow as if saying, “Figure it out.”

He thought, ‘Dad has a point. I don’t stand a chance. But…‘

“Mom would take me on a picnic,” he whined, fishing for guilt.

“Yeah, well, she’s not here,” Brian said flatly, unfazed.

Jacob stomped his foot. “Dad!”

He thought, ‘Talk about rubbing it in.’

“Look, if you’ve got time to jaw at me, you should be figuring out the rest of your summer. Can’t spend every day playing,” Brian said.

He packed up lunch and turned to Jacob with a straight face. “You said you wanted to bring home a medal for your mom next semester. That promise already forgotten?”

“Of course not,” Jacob snapped.

He was hitting the books, just not 24/7.

“Then put in the work. I believe in you.” Brian ruffled his hair, grabbed the lunchbox, and headed out.

A few steps later, he turned back. “Oh, there’s leftovers in the kitchen. Ask Sylvie to reheat them, or have her cook something. No more junk food. Got it?”

He didn’t want another middle–of–the–night ER dash.

“Geez, I get it. I’m not an idiot,” Jacob groused.

The doc had lectured him enough about diet in the hospital.

“Better be.” Brian tossed the words over his shoulder and left.

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