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 confrontation,

the real issue at

learned to read between

take care of

arthritis, you should avoid the cold. Let me know if you need

could I? My best

only good trait is

just kept up his

seat, and the line of sleek black cars slowly

to the hospital, heading

that won't work. You'll need to wait at least two and a half

asking, "And the mother's safety

and becoming a father, had softened significantly. His

preferring words over action,

rare.

safe for the mother. The later stages just provide

can confirm the child is Max's, that's all that matters." "Then let's schedule it

with just month's difference.

was crucial for