“No, he didn’t,” Terry said, defending Simon with more passion than Gabe expected. “Yes, it was a shock. He comes from a long line of attorneys. He had expectations and dreams for you. But he never stopped loving you.”
“Look, I’m not here to talk about my father’s feelings,” Gabe said, reining in his anger. “Well, I am, but not the way you think.” He pulled his mother’s phone from his pocket. “You’ve been messaging my mother. Repeatedly. Trying to meet with her, trying to ‘clear the air’ as you put it. Why?”
Terry looked down at her hands. “Because I miss her. Because I want to apologize properly. Because it’s Christmas, and I remember all the years we spent Christmas together, and I...” She trailed off. “I know it’s selfish. I know I don’t deserve her forgiveness. But I needed to try.”
“Well, stop trying,” Gabe said firmly. “My mother is finally happy. She’s moved on. She’s building a new life here, and she doesn’t need you dragging her back into the past.”
“I just want to apologize—” Terry started.
“Then apologize now,” Jane interrupted. “Tell us what you’d say to Holly, and we’ll consider whether it’s worth passing along.”
Terry looked at Jane, then at Gabe, clearly torn. Finally, she drew ashaky breath.
“I’d tell her that I’m sorry,” Terry said. “That I was selfish and cruel, and I betrayed her in the worst possible way. That she deserved so much better from me, from Simon, from everyone. That I destroyed something precious, and I can never get it back.” She wiped at her eyes. “I’d tell her that I hope she finds happiness. Real happiness, with someone who treats her the way she deserves to be treated. And I’d tell her that I understand if she never forgives me.”
Gabe studied Terry’s face, looking for signs of manipulation or insincerity. But all he saw was genuine remorse and regret.
“Fine,” Gabe said. “I’ll tell her you apologized. Whether she accepts it or not is up to her.”
“Thank you,” Terry said quietly.
“But there’s something else,” Gabe continued. “My father needs to sign the divorce papers. Now. No more delays, no more using them as leverage. My mother deserves to be free of this marriage.”
“He’s signing them today,” Terry said quickly. “He’s said he was meeting Holly and Charlie today. That’s why I was surprised when you messaged me, and I thought it was Holly, to meet here instead.”
Gabe’s eyebrows rose. His mother hadn’t mentioned meeting Simon today.
“Good,” Gabe said. “Make sure he actually signs them. No more games.”
“I will,” Terry promised. “Simon’s ready. He wants to move forward, too. We’re...” She hesitated. “We’re engaged. We’re getting married next summer.”
“Congratulations,” Jane said flatly, making it clear she thought no such thing.
“Thank you,” Terry said, missing or ignoring Jane’s tone. “Gabe, I know you probably won’t believe this, but I am happy your mother has found happiness. Holly deserves that. And I hope... I hope someday she can forgive me, even if we can never be friends again.”
“She’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her,” Gabe said, wanting Terry to understand what she’d lost. “And I won’t let you or my father ruin that for her. You’ve both done enough damage.”
“I understand,” Terry said.
“There’s one more thing,” Jane said, stepping forward. “You and Simon are working for Victor Martin, trying to help him take the Christmas Inn. How can you justify that? How can you live with yourself knowing you’re trying to destroy another family?”
Terry’s face flushed with shame. “I don’t choose my clients. Simon’s firm assigned him to the case, and I’m the realtor on record because I specialize in historic properties.”
“Everyone has a choice,” Jane said coldly. “You chose to have an affair with your best friend’s husband. You chose to lie for years. And now you’re choosing to help aman destroy my family’s legacy. Those are all choices, Terry. And they’re all terrible ones.”
Terry flinched as if Jane had struck her. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. But Jane, there’s something you should know. Something that might help your family.”
Gabe and Jane exchanged glances.
“What?” Gabe asked warily.
Terry looked around nervously, as if worried someone might overhear. “Someone’s been paying off the inn’s debt. Slowly, in increments small enough not to trigger any alarms, but consistently. It’s the only reason the bank hasn’t foreclosed yet.”
“What?” Jane said. “Who?”
“We don’t know either,” Terry admitted. “But Simon’s been tasked with finding out. Victor Martin is furious that someone’s interfering with his plans. He’s told Simon that if we don’t identify this benefactor and stop the payments, we’ll both lose our jobs and our reputations. Victor has that kind of power.”
“Is that a threat?” Gabe asked, his voice dangerous.
