Never Late, Never Away (Vivian and Finnick)
Chapter 2249

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 2249

He came! Jessica realized with a jolt. Didn't I tell him not to? Why didn't he listen? she fretted. He's already sick! What if he gets worse in this terrible weather? Jessica's heart ached at the thought. "Here, take this. Let's go over," Larry suggested, handing Jessica his umbrella.

"I don't need it," Jessica said brusquely. She shoved him aside in her haste and sprinted over to Caspian.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the hospital? How could you do something like this! Let's go now!" Jessica demanded urgently, the words spilling out of her. She seized Caspian's arm and was ready to haul him away.

"Jessica, is everything over yet?" Caspian asked frantically.

Jessica almost burst into laughter at the thought. Everything had been over for her the moment those relatives had turned their back and fled. A part of Jessica's heart had died along with their inhumanity. Jessica recalled with bitterness how often her parents had bailed those relatives out. Their ingratitude itself was appalling. What made everything worse was that on the day that Jessica's parents were to be memorialized, all that those relatives cared for was the money they'd left behind.

"It's over! Let's go!" Jessica snapped.

"Wait," Caspian suddenly halted in his tracks, tugging at Jessica. He took off his jacket and placed it around Jessica's shoulders.

Caspian's gesture filled Jessica with more warmth than the jacket itself did. She looked up at him speechlessly, her eyes brimming with tears.

It was the first genuine display of care that had been shown towards Jessica that day. A thought struck Jessica that Caspian might henceforth be the only one who would care for her from then on. "Don't catch a cold. It's getting chilly lately, so wear warmer clothing, OK? What if you fall sick?" Caspian chided disapprovingly.

"I'm fine. What about you? How could you have come all the way here when you haven't even fully recovered? Aren't you worried that you'll make things worse?" Jessica replied in anguish, wrinkling her brow. Caspian smiled tenderly at Jessica's worried face. What was there to worry about? What could be more important than you? Caspian mused. He reached out to brush a stray tendril of hair from Jessica's face. Inwardly, however, Caspian was furiously turning over Jessica's speech in his mind. Does this mean that she cares for me? Is she worried about me? A smile hovered over Caspian's lips as he reflected on that pleasant thought.

It made him even more determined to make Jessica his girlfriend. I'd give her the world if she asked for it, Caspian resolved.

"Why are you smiling? We should get going!" Jessica said earnestly. "Don't do silly things like this in the future. I can take care of myself."

Caspian didn't appear sentimental at first glance, but he was someone who cared deeply for the woman he loved. Regardless of whether Jessica would accept him as her boyfriend, he would doggedly remain by her side nonetheless.

Back at the hospital, Jessica had insisted on tucking Caspian back into his bed. He flashed a smile at Jessica's worried face. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I've already recovered and have been discharged," Caspian said cheerily.

Jessica reflected that it was so typical of Caspian to insist on coming all the way out to the funeral to see her, even when he was so obviously unwell. Jessica's heart softened. Caspian's dedication had rather moved her.

Why did I fall for Larry instead? Jessica thought, bemused.

Caspian watched as Jessica tilted her head to the side, as if deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about?" Caspian asked, gently rapping his knuckles against the side of Jessica's head in a teasing manner.

"Huh? Nothing much. What do you want to eat? Let me buy you a meal," Jessica hurriedly answered.

"Meatloaf, I suppose," Caspian said, shrugging.

Upon hearing Caspian's reply, Jessica immediately ran out of the room without the slightest hesitation.

What's going on? Did something happen? Why does Jessica look so flustered? Caspian stared at the hospital door that Jessica had just run out from, puzzled.

Jessica, meanwhile, had darted out into the hallway, a million thoughts racing through her mind.

When Jessica had been at her lowest, Caspian was there beside her. When Jessica had been at her most helpless, Caspian had steadfastly stuck by her, providing solace. He had proven himself to be a most reliable man.

It was a pity, however, that Jessica was in no presence of mind to develop feelings for anyone. She was more intent on regaining her footing in this world. After the events of today, Jessica had grimly set her mind on building an enterprise that the Zimmer family could truly call their own.

"Where's Jessica? Where did she go?" Larry asked as he swung open the door of Caspian's hospital room.

"She went to buy meatloaf," Caspian replied.

"Well done! Keep going, bro. Jessica will need you to take care of her in the future," Larry said, jovially patting Caspian's arm in approval.

Caspian felt a hint of irritation at Larry's words, which clearly refused to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Didn't Jessica already reject me because of Larry? Caspian thought ruefully. He was well aware that the position Larry occupied in Jessica's heart could afford no substitute.