When Love Breaks by Jack

It was around this time that life seemed to finally be going my way.

Mentioning Bryant Ferguson made me pause-a momentary lapse that felt like a lifetime had passed.

These days, it felt like the struggling, pain-ridden Jane of the past had been cleaved in two, leaving a new me in her place.

Gregory pinched my cheek, “Daydreaming?”

“No, not really.”

I shook my head, unable to pin down my feelings, and followed his lead, “Is this about Bryant?”

I knew Bryant’s influence had been creeping towards Vista Town again.

But his helping Gregory seemed both unexpected and somehow anticipated.

He wasn’t a bad person, not really.

You could even say he was good a great boss, a dutiful grandson, a loving adoptive son, a caring step-brother… just not a great husband.

The world where I was the only one hurt somehow felt justified.

carefree demeanor that belied his upbringing. Wiping his mouth with a napkin, he said, “It’s a bit complicated, but in short, Bryant did me a

that means your

myself, remembering it was his father we were talking about, and corrected, “He won’t be giving you trouble for

one way to put

of coldness in his eyes, “That man married my mother for her wealth, and suppressed me to maintain his grip on power. He doesn’t want a son; he wants a puppet.” Hearing this, I felt a pang

these powerful families, fights for control often left little

sole heir to the

naturally taking

the

time waits for ho one, and he grew old.

a new

only choice. His illegitimate siblings didn’t even

in power, Hanson

Confronted with fatherly affection,

easily list his

indiscretions. Hanson’s support

Palmer, an illegitimate son,

heir, a

hand, “Regardless, I just want you to be safe. If your father and Palmer make a move, don’t