Chapter 3888
Hank attempted to convince himself that his pain arose from witnessing how well Sonny got along with Duncan. Although Sonny was his biological son, he would now be living with Duncan. There was even a possibility that Sonny might start referring to Duncan as “Dad.”
As these thoughts consumed him, Hank felt something wet on his face. Raising his hand to his cheek, he realized his palm was damp with tears. He was crying. But why?
Deep down, Hank understood the reason; he just couldn’t bring himself to admit it—not out loud, and not even to himself. Overwhelmed by his emotions, he slumped forward, resting his head on the steering wheel, and let the tears flow freely. He sobbed, releasing the torrent of regret and sorrow that had built up inside him.
Once his tears dried, Hank composed himself. He had made a plan for the day, and despite his turmoil, he intended to stick to it. Starting his car, he left the Civil Affairs Bureau and drove toward the prison to visit Jessica.
As Jessica spotted Hank in the visitor’s area, her gaze immediately fell on his swollen, red-rimmed eyes. Urgently, she picked up the phone and leaned closer to the glass partition. “Hank, what’s wrong? Why have you been crying? Your eyes are all puffy. Did something happen to your parents?”
Her voice conveyed a mix of concern and curiosity, though the latter held a darker undertone. Jessica still harbored a deep resentment toward Hank’s mother, Mrs. Brown, and his sister, Chelsea, who had brought her nothing but misery. In fact, Jessica often fantasized about something terrible happening to them, particularly to Mrs. Brown.
If she could rewind time, Jessica thought bitterly, she would have stabbed Chelsea instead of Hank during that chaotic confrontation. Chelsea had been the mastermind behind so much of the turmoil in her life.
of their chaos. She had instigated the conflicts between Hank and Liberty, pushed Jessica into her current situation, and obliterated any chance Jessica had for a decent life.
Hank’s voice was low and calm, devoid of his usual arrogance. “No, my parents are fine.” He knew better than to defend his mother or sister in front of Jessica. Their past treatment of her was indefensible, and even he felt shame for their actions.
Jessica tilted her head, a look of confusion furrowing her brow. “Then why are you crying? Are my parents okay?”
Her question reflected genuine concern. While her relationship with her family was strained, they were still her parents. The burden of her incarceration had already taken a toll on them, both emotionally and socially. They had faced whispers, judgment, and shame from their community due to her actions.
Initially, her parents had visited her frequently, trying to support her as best they could. However, over time, their visits ceased. The only connection they maintained was through the occasional package delivered by a third party. She later discovered that her brother and sister-in-law had prohibited her parents from seeing her, labeling her a disgrace to the family.
Jessica had laughed bitterly upon hearing this news. How quickly things had shifted.
When she was flourishing and showering her family with gifts, they praised her. Her parents proudly boasted about their capable daughter who had “married well.” Her brother and sister-in-law eagerly enjoyed the perks of her city lifestyle—cars, money, and the promise of a brighter future for their own children.
But the moment Jessica’s life unraveled, she became a
stain on their reputation, making them no longer deserving of love or support. Jessica thought with cold detachment, people are painfully realistic—even family. Finally, Hank broke the silence, his voice barely a whisper. “Jessica, Liberty got married today.” Jessica froze, unsure if she had heard him correctly. “Is that why you’ve been crying?” she asked slowly, examining his face. Her mind raced with questions. Did Hank still have feelings for Liberty, or was his regret purely practical? Liberty had lost weight, built a successful business, and reclaimed her life. She was thriving—far from the woman Hank had discarded. Jessica recalled how Hank’s mother and sister had urged him to leave her and pursue Liberty instead. To them, Liberty was the better choice—stronger, smarter, and more connected. After all, Liberty’s sister Serenity had married into wealth and influence. With Serenity’s support, Liberty’s future had always appeared bright. And now, with her new marriage, it was undeniable: Liberty had found her happiness. Jessica couldn’t help but wonder if Hank’s tears were for love lost or a missed opportunity.