When Love Breaks by Jack

Zoe was in tears, “Adah has been on his case forever, just wanting him to settle down and start his own chapter. Now, finally, Greg’s seen the light at the end of the tunnel!” “Zoe…” Gregory, slipping on a jacket, came out with a helpless expression. “You talk as if I’m some sort of lonely heart no one wants.”

“I’m just happy for you, that’s all!”

Zoe shot him a look before quickly pouring him a glass of water, “Your grandma and mom would be thrilled…”

Gregory cut her off, “Let’s not tell them just yet.”

“You’re not planning on telling the family?”

Zoe blinked, taken aback, “Jane’s a wonderful girl, from a good family. Don’t you go pulling a Clarence on us now!”

Setting down his glass, Gregory reassured her, “You’ve got it all wrong. It’s just not the right time. You know the kind of mess the Ford family’s in right now.”

Zoe exhaled in relief, “That’s true. I mean, you were raised by your grandfather, you’re not about to pull a stunt like Clarence.”

Zoe offered a few more words of advice before briskly tidying up the kitchen, ready to leave.

Before she left, she pulled me aside at the entryway, a bit sheepishly, “Don’t mind Zoe prying too much. I know you’re practically family, and seeing as you don’t have an elder close by, I couldn’t help but remind you, if you didn’t take precautions last night, make sure to take care of it.”

“The rhythm method’s not reliable. Though if you were to get pregnant, Timothy and the rest would only be overjoyed, the Ford family’s tongues wag, and it’s easy to fall prey to gossip.”

but also felt cared for, nodding, “Okay, thanks for looking out for

been unexpected, and we hadn’t taken

Gregory went back home to change before heading straight to the Ford

off a suitcase at my place, “Darling, house my luggage for a

“…Sure.”

ease with which he’d make himself at

by the prospect of an extra

plans to check out the office building with Christine and, incidentally, to pick up some

the parking garage, I received a call from

Webster, did you pick up

“No, I didn’t.”

heart tightened. “Is

family, and

nurse explained, “She

we did our morning rounds. It

visited that we

searched the entire

“We’ve searched everywhere!”

we need to

“I’m on my way.”