Lost Me Gained Regret

Christine was always reasonable, at least in Jake's eyes.

And it wasn't about winning her forgiveness or anything like that.

He simply wanted to protect her as much as he could.

To shield her from the harm that hanging out with Max could bring-hurt from Ella or disdain from the Clarksons.

Jake reluctantly tagged along with Max, not out of choice but because Emily had asked him to check on things.

Seeing the mess Max had landed himself in, Jake couldn't help but jab, "Looks like Merritt's got it better than you right now." Max, uninterested in a verbal spar, suggested, "Let's reach out to Dr. Andrews, see if we can arrange a DNA test now." Jake replied, "Haste won't help. Even if you wanted to, Ella wouldn't let you."

"This mess might be on you now, but if she starts targeting Christine, the road ahead for both of you will be even rockier."

It wasn't that Jake couldn't intervene, but he had a soft spot for the elder Clarksons who'd treated him well.

He wasn't keen on burning bridges unless absolutely necessary.

Besides, with Caldwell and Madge at their age, any stress could be too much.

Even if Max chose Christine unequivocally, she wouldn't want his family to suffer over their relationship.

rather than

real issue

the years, Jake had learned to read between the lines

take

avoid the cold. Let me know if you need anything." Caldwell was

"How could I? My best trait is

good trait is

it aloud, just kept up

slid into the driver's seat, and the line of sleek black cars slowly

hospital, heading straight for Dr.

to wait at least two

for a moment before asking, "And the

and becoming a father, had

preferring words over action,

now rare.

briefly taken aback, "Yes, the procedure is safe for the mother. The later stages just provide more

the child is Max's, that's all that matters." "Then let's schedule it for two and a half months. I'll

with just month's difference. Monitoring

was crucial for