Nina watched their banter from the sidelines, a warm, aching feeling spreading through her chest. She wanted—desperately—to touch Lynn. To hug her.
Lynn glanced at the table again.
“Alright, I won’t interfere,” she said with a smirk.“I’ll grab what I came for and head out.”
Jasper stayed silent. Nina almost exhaled—but Lynn stopped in the doorway and turned back.
“But seriously, Dad,” she drawled with a mischievous smile.“Don’t drag it out. Ask Nina out already.There's so much tension between you two you could power the city.”
She shot Nina a quick look and bounded up the stairs.
“After that, I probably should leave,” Nina exhaled, adjusting her napkin.
“The court hearing is tomorrow,” Jasper said calmly.“After that, Frank will be taken into custody, and you’ll be able to go home. Under Nolan’s protection. He’ll contact you himself and give you instructions.”
Nina nodded.
“He still hasn’t sent me a bill,” she suddenly remembered.
Jasper smirked.
“Don’t worry about that,” he said.“Nolan never misses a chance.”
CHAPTER 42
Nina stepped out of the house with Jasper and Lynn.
Jasper was grim and silent. Nina felt unsteady, walking on shaky legs—and still in house slippers. The slippers had come with the clothes Nolan’s people brought her.
Lynn locked the door and slipped the keys into her purse. Nina forced a casual expression and, nodding toward the street, lied:
“I’m just up the street,” she said, pointing uphill.“Just a couple houses.”
Lynn glanced at the slippers, at the knit set, pressed her lips together—clearly swallowing another sharp comment. Thankfully, she didn’t say it. She just waved a hand.
“Later, neighbor.”
They stood on the walkway until Lynn’s car disappeared around the corner. Only then did Nina finally exhale.
“God,” she muttered.“I almost died of embarrassment.”
Jasper huffed beside her, hands in his pockets, looking relaxed. The air was cool, and Nina wrapped her arms around herself—partly for warmth, partly to hide the awkwardness.
“She grew up to be an amazing young woman,” Nina said, staring down the street.“Smart. Kind. Sweet. Caring. Sharp-tongued. Maybe it’s even better that I didn’t raise her. Or my family.”
Jasper was quiet for a moment, then said,
“I disagree. I’m sure you would’ve managed. With dignity. In your own way.” He turned to her.“She didn’t take after me. Her personality is… completely different.”
Nina turned, met his gaze. He added,“After getting to know you, I realized she’s all her mother. Just as stubborn.”
At the word mother, something inside Nina snapped tight. Bitterness spread instantly—on her tongue, in her chest. She looked away.
“I don’t think I have the right to call myself her mother,” she said, voicing the thought that hurt the most right now.
Jasper didn’t answer.
Strangely enough… his silence felt like an apology.
