He didn’t apologize.Not yet.
“And the car?”
She folded her hands in her lap.“Sold it.I used the money to pay off Mom’s medical bills.”
His head snapped toward her.“Youwhat?”
“Paid off the debts,” she said, not meeting his eyes.
He stared at her for a long moment, shaking his head.“That’s insane.And completely unnecessary.”
She finally looked at him.“Paying debts isn’t necessary?”
“That’s not what I meant.”He scrubbed a hand over his face, exhaling.“Yes—no—ugh.What I mean is, losing your house and your car to pay offmedicaldebt?That should be criminal.And legally, children don’t inherit their parents’ medical bills.”
“I was told otherwise.”
He narrowed his eyes.“By who?”
She blinked.“Pardon?”
“Who?”he repeated, his tone gentler now.“Who told you that you’re responsible for your mother’s debts?”
“The hospital called and…” She bit her lip.“I just…assumed.”
He covered her hand with his.“I’m pretty sure children aren’t responsible, honey.”His voice was soft, but steady.“I’ll double-check with my lawyers.But if a debt collector is telling you otherwise, it needs to stop.You don’t owe them anything.”
She blinked at him, stunned.“But that would mean—” Her eyes went wide.“The house!”
He shook his head.“If it was in her name, it might’ve been part of the estate.But let me make a few calls.”He squeezed her fingers, then let go.“I’ll explain everything over breakfast tomorrow.”
Jemma nodded, a wave of gratitude washing over her.Sheshouldhave looked this up herself.A basic Google search might’ve told her the truth.Had she jeopardized her family’s future by not doing that?
But those first few months had been a nightmare—grieving her mother, nursing a newborn, fielding relentless debt collection calls, trying to hold her brother together while dismantling the only home they’d ever known.Sleep-deprived, broken, terrified… she’d barely been functioning, let alone researching legal loopholes.
“Thank you,” she whispered, blinking fast.“That’s very kind of you.”
The SUV stopped in front of her apartment.Still, she hesitated.
“I can’t meet for breakfast,” she said at last, gesturing to the building.“Mornings with kids—chaotic doesn’t begin to cover it.”She offered a wobbly smile.“I’ll try to get in early to keep working through the files.”
“Don’t,” he said firmly.His eyes sharpened.“I’ll send a team to handle it.”
She shook her head.“No.Please don’t.If you’re serious about me turning that company around…”
“I am.”
“Then let me do it.”Her voice strengthened.“You’re right.I’ve been coasting.I let fear drive too many decisions this past year.Leaving you… keeping secrets… I thought you’d reject everything.Us.”
She laughed softly, sad but self-aware.“After some of the things you said back then, I truly believed you didn’t want kids.I didn’t think you’d want to be part ofanyof it.”
Saif said nothing, but his gaze didn’t waver.
Jemma looked back at him with a flicker of the woman she used to be—strong, bold, capable.“But I haven’t been idle.I saw what needed to change the moment I started working for Mark.I’ve been sourcing new vendors, researching factories.He didn’t listen, but the plan’s ready.I can fix it.”
“There are personnel changes that need to happen too.Are you ready for that?”
She smiled—truly smiled—and it lit up her whole face.“You betcha.”
