Chapter 5

Mr. Jack has been out of touch for several days. My mother is anxious, but I feel oddly at ease. The heavy snowfall has closed schools and businesses, bringing the city to a standstill. Yet, the morning news continues to air punctually.

[A prominent businessman in the city, Jack, and his wife, Yan Shu, were discovered dead in their home around 10 PM last night...]

I froze, feeling as if the blood in my veins turned to ice. My mother rushed out from the kitchen, her face a picture of shock.

"Mr. Jack! How could Mr. Jack be dead?" she cried out. "What do we do now?"

I sat on the sofa, paralyzed. Her cries echoed around me, but I could barely hear them. How could this have happened? How could his mother...?

The doorbell rang, snapping me back to reality. My mother wiped her tears, ignoring the bell. I dragged myself to the door, my feet heavy. Opening it, a gust of cold wind hit me.

The person at the door was wrapped in the bitter chill of snow and wind. Dressed in a black suit, with dark circles under his eyes and light stubble on his chin, it was Jessica.

I stared at him, taking in his weary face. My heart ached with a bittersweet pang. Jessica was supposed to be proud, dazzling, full of life—not like this, defeated and drained.

"Jessica..." I whispered. He looked at me, his eyes empty, and said, "Come home with me."

My mother protested loudly behind us, unaware of who Jessica was. I grabbed a coat and followed him, leaving behind my mother's curses.

"What are you doing with that boy? Such a worthless thing..."

Jessica paused, and I nearly bumped into him. I heard his rough voice say, "Like mother, like daughter."

In the icy cold, his words felt like a splash of freezing water. I stood frozen. Jessica opened the car door and looked back at me.

"You owe me, Judy," he said.