In the current situation, Callie had no room to argue.
Jaquan grabbed her and led her to his office, not letting go no matter how much she struggled.
The office door closed, and colleagues outside whispered among themselves.
Callie was forced to sit in Jaquan’s chair. He took out some ointment and applied it to her, his eyes filled with anger and something else.
She felt awkward. “It really wasn’t Nelson who hit me.”
Jaquan scoffed, thinking of something. “Is there anything he wouldn’t do?”
Callie stopped explaining.
She sat upright. “Jaquan, don’t think that by doing this, I’ll forgive you.”
Her tone was childish, making Jaquan finally laugh. He leaned closer. “Then tell me, what do I need your forgiveness for?”
Callie had many things to say, but when the words reached her lips, she realized there was nothing he needed her forgiveness for.
She became despondent, her suppressed emotions from the past few days bursting out.
“To you all, I’m just a blade of grass, just wanting to live. But you expect a blade of grass to do things for you, and if it doesn’t do well, you kill it. Is that fair to me?” Tears welled up in Callie’s eyes. She looked up, her chest tight. “I just want to live.”
Jaquan couldn’t bear to see her like this. He placed his large hand on her head, gently comforting her. “No one is asking you to die.”
“But you’re pushing me to the brink!” Callie finally broke down. “You and Nelson are playing games, and I’m caught in the middle. Jaquan, can you let me go?”
Seeing the man’s face grow serious without a reply, she understood and began to tremble.
“Let me go. Maybe I shouldn’t have come today. It was reckless of me.”
As soon as she stood up, Jaquan pressed her back into the chair. “I can promise you safety for you and your family. If Nelson ever tries to kill you, you can come to me for help. Callie, I won’t harm you.”
He spoke earnestly and sincerely, making Callie suspicious.
Jaquan released her and turned to face the floor-to-ceiling window, lighting a cigarette for himself. “Nelson’s mother had mental issues; it’s hereditary.”
Hearing this, Callie felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. She was stunned. “What?”
“During her worst episodes, she put Nelson in the hospital.”
Jaquan spoke calmly, but it sent chills down Callie’s spine. She never imagined there was such a hidden story behind it. No wonder he was so shocked when he saw her wound.
“How is that possible… Nelson never hit me. I’ve been with him for so long, and he’s never shown any violent tendencies.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Callie froze, recalling the car accident when he rammed the other car. Did that count?
Jaquan flicked his cigarette ash. “With hereditary mental issues and growing up in that environment, how could he not be affected?”
“Callie, you don’t understand Nelson.”
For a long time, Callie sat motionless, unsure how to process this information. Her feelings were complicated-fear mixed with something else… perhaps pity.
Did Nelson grow up in such an environment? For a moment, she even understood why he always seemed so angry and gloomy.
Before leaving, Jaquan said one last thing, “What I just told you still stands. You can come to me anytime.”