“Yes,” Julie said firmly. “Because that woman has never done anything in her life without an ulterior motive. This is about more than some genetic disease. I would stake my life on it.”
Jane looked at her father, seeing the same suspicion in his eyes.Then she looked at Gabe, who was watching her with such concern and understanding that it made her chest ache.
“I survived a car crash,” Jane said quietly, the words spilling out before she could stop them. “One I wished for so long that I had died in as well. I had to learn to walk again. And now I might have a hereditary disease?”
Her voice broke on the last word, and Jane felt tears burning behind her eyes. She had just started to feel alive again. Just started to look forward to waking up each morning. Just started to believe that maybe, possibly, she could have a future beyond grief and loss.
And now this.
“We don’t know anything for certain yet,” Jack said gently, pulling Jane into a hug. “We will find out what is really going on. We’ll get you tested with a doctor we trust. And we will figure this out together.”
Jane let herself lean into her father’s embrace for a moment, drawing strength from his steady presence. But over his shoulder, her eyes found Gabe’s.
Gabe was watching her with an expression that made something in Jane’s chest both break and heal at once. There was no pity in his eyes. Just understanding. Just support. Just a silent promise that she was not alone in this.
And somehow, that made all the difference.
5
JANE
Jane stood in her father’s embrace, but over his shoulder, her eyes found Gabe’s. He was watching her with an expression that made something in her chest both break and heal at the same time. There was no pity in his eyes. Just understanding. Just support. Just a silent promise that she was not alone in this.
“I must go get ready,” Gabe said, breaking the moment. He turned to Jane with understanding in his eyes. “I understand if you don’t want to come with us tonight.”
“I’m not cancelling anything,” Jane said firmly, surprising even herself with the conviction in her voice. She refused to let Pamela have that power over her. Refused to let that woman derail her evening. “I’m looking forward to it and will meet you as planned in the foyer in an hour.”
Gabe gave her an encouraging smile that reached his eyes, warming them. He nodded once, then turned and left,managing his crutches with the practiced ease he had developed over the past days.
The sound of the front door opening drew Jane’s attention. William Moore stepped inside, his distinguished silver hair catching the light from the chandelier. He was clearly there to fetch Julie for whatever plans they had made for the evening.
“I can cancel if you need me, sweetheart,” Julie said, her voice full of grandmother concern as she moved toward Jane. Her hand reached out to gently touch Jane’s arm.
“No, Gran. Please don’t interrupt your night for this.” Jane managed a small smile, though it felt strained on her face. She did not want anyone derailing their evening because of Pamela. Wouldn’t give that woman the satisfaction of disrupting their lives any more than she already had.
Julie looked torn, clearly wanting to stay, but William squeezed her hand and she reluctantly allowed him to lead her toward the door. She kept glancing back at Jane with worried expressions that made Jane’s chest tighten with guilt and gratitude in equal measure.
The moment they were gone, Jane turned on her father. “You knew about this?” The words came out sharper than she intended, hurt and confusion bleeding through.
Jack immediately took Jane’s arm, his grip gentle but firm. “Let’s talk in the office.” His voice was quiet but urgent. He glanced around the foyer, where guests might overhear, where this very private family matter could become gossip.
Once in the office with the door closed behind them, Jack ran a hand through his hair. He looked tired, Jane noticed. Tired and guilty, the lines around his eyes were deeper than they had been even a few days ago.
“Pamela called a few days ago,” Jack began, his voice heavy with the weight of the secret he had been carrying. “And there just hasn’t been the right moment to speak to you about it.” Jack paused, struggling with his next words. Jane could see him working through what to say, how to explain. Then he admitted quietly, “You’ve been so happy lately. I probably subconsciously put off telling you because it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you smile and laugh like you have been.”
The admission made Jane’s throat tighten with emotion.
“I was also trying to research the disease,” Jack continued, his hands spreading helplessly. “Something in Pamela’s voice made me not trust her. I wanted to have information before I worried you. I wanted to know if this was even real or just another one of her manipulations.”
Jane felt her heart squeeze as she realized just how concerned her family had been about her. About her happiness. About her healing. They had been walking on eggshells for three years, afraid to upset her, afraid to break the fragile peace she had found in simply existing day to day.
She fought back the tears threatening to spill over. “It’s okay, Dad. I understand.” Her voice was thick with emotion she could not quite contain. “If the roles were reversed, I’d have done the same thing.”
They embraced, a father-daughter moment of understanding and forgiveness. Jack held Jane the way he used to when she was little and the world seemed scary, when his steady presence and strong arms could chase away a nightmare.
When they pulled apart, Jack asked carefully, “Are you sure you’re up to doing whatever it is you’re doing with Gabe tonight?” There was a hint of something in his tone. Fishing. Wondering about their relationship.
“It’s Gabe, Trinity, and Maddy,” Jane corrected with a small smile. “We’re going dress shopping and having junk food for dinner in St. Augustine.”
