When Love Breaks by Jack

Chapter 35

I never realized Bryant had such a penchant for holding grudges.

There was nothing for it but to steel myself and follow him, but before I could even attempt an explanation, Timothy turned around with a warm, welcoming smile. “Heard from Emma that you moved out, Jane?”

“Yes, Timothy.” Acknowledging it seemed the only way forward. If Grandpa got mad, I’d figure out how to smooth things over later.

But Timothy didn’t seem inclined to blow up at me. Instead, he shot Bryant an angry look, “Useless brat, you can’t even keep your wife!”

Bryant looked helpless. “Grandpa, be reasonable. It was her choice to leave. What could I do?”

“She left, and you didn’t think to go after her?” Timothy’s disappointment was palpable, “You’re just like your father. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“Aren’t you the tree?” Bryant managed a small laugh.

“You bastard!” Timothy pretended to grab a coffee mug to throw at him but set it down again, struggling to find the right words. Finally, he just sighed, “Hungry. Let’s eat.”

Dinner was surprisingly harmonious.

plate until it resembled a small mountain. “Eat up.

some meat on

My smile was as warm as the feeling swelling

this. My aunt’s family was well-off, but my uncle and cousin would subtly monitor every bite I took. at their dinner table. I loved food, but even at eight, I knew how to read the room. Every bite

looked at the bounty before me, my eyes welled

authoritative aura but was all warmth around me. “Silly child,

head, fighting back the tears with a polite smile. “You’re just so nice to me. It

your parents. We should visit

stern, his voice harsh, “Shut up! With how little care

to argue, and I interrupted, “My parents are

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Chapter 35

Bryant asked, “When did…”

he could ask more, not to defend him before Timothy but to avoid upsetting

ache in my heart. The tears had fought back threatened