Faux Vows, True Desires

After a long, painful silence, Nathan's voice came out hoarse with emotion. "Janice, I have to be honest with you. In my life, there's only ever been you. Past, present, and future... it's always been just you."

"Janice, I know I've been distant over the past twenty-some years, that I've let you down and you've suffered for it. That's on me. I failed to protect you and our kids."

Nathan explained his agony: "But I had to keep my distance to lessen the hurt coming your way. They mocked you, and that was better than them coming after your life. God knows, seeing you treated like that tore my heart out, like a knife twisting in my chest."

"I'm not making excuses for myself, Janice. I failed to protect my family, and that's on my weakness. I'm not asking for your forgiveness. But I can't go through with a divorce. I just hope that from time to time, I can come by and see you."

"Our Lucy is coming back to Skywatch with me in a couple of days. Will you come back with us? Can we be a family of four again, for real this time?"

As Nathan gently touched Janice's face, he spoke in a low, somber tone about his helplessness.

"If I'd known being the head of this household would bring you and the kids so much pain, I'd have never accepted it. But I can't escape where I come from. If I didn't take the position, they'd come after me just the same because anyone in power would see me as a threat. They wouldn't rest until they saw the end of our whole family."

So, he had no choice but to tough it out at the top. At least, this way, his family was alive, though they had to endure so much.

Pausing, Nathan admitted, "Janice, am I selfish? Am I weak?"

"The Porter was involved in all sorts of dirty dealings. I decided to play along, to gather evidence of his crimes. If something happens to me, go to our room, open the safe. You'll find the divorce papers I've prepared and signed."

"We'll divorce, you'll be free. Don't worry, before I go, I'll make sure Keith can take over the headship without any obstacles. The Blue family reforms are underway. The bad stuff, I'll take it all with me."

"After I'm gone, you can live with our son or daughter. I know they'll take good care of you."

"I'll gradually transfer my assets to you and the kids. Then the Blue family can't feed off the benefits we've provided while harming us at the same time."

only be with you so much; they're young

than hold you back, but he still hoped you'd find

Janice were past the

was eliminate any danger to his family, his life a small price to pay for their safety and peace. If

now fifty, having spent the first half of his life in hardship. He'd fought the family and external threats every step of

capable, with his son having support, he felt like he'd reached the end of his road. It was

make it out

Janice. Even if she

his head against

leaned on her, slowly closing his eyes. He just wanted to feel what it was like to be with

off, fighting off slumber

sky brightened, the black of night giving way

light, the shift occurring without

stirred awake, her head pounding from too much

her stomach, Instinctively reaching down, she touched a head and, startled, she jerked awake, shoving the

with a thud, his head

sprawled on the floor and felt a surge

the covers

Nathan with it all the while scolding him. "Nathan, you jerk!

huh?"

s

room? What did you

and though his