A Night To Forget, A Lifetime To Remember.

ion remained, as everyone str

y quickly slipped out of the room, desperate

he called, catc

, her expression guard

t this to happen. I didn't

is is helping? You've avoided and ignored

ce heavy with regret. "But James, he's not-"

e to believe you? Look Jack, I'm clearly unimportant, and unwo

, leaving him standing in

in the courtyard. He approached quietly, sitting beside her. His voice soft. "Don't let

and and nodded slo

ply made it easier to cope with her uncertainties. The

settled. Richard looked up, sensing that Jack had somethin

rd said calmly, nodding hi

could you support this, Dad? Was it even necessary to announce Ja

k? James has made his decision, and as a family, we

oice grew louder. "Do you even ca

s eyes. "Emily is a grown woman, capable of m

th know James. He's reckless and manipulative. How can we just si

We can't afford distractions, and we certainly shouldn't interfere in James's perso

ow what she's getting into. You know exactly what I'm tal

hat means? Of course, he's a good choice for her. He's intelligent, wealthy, and influential-things most people c

. "I just don't think she knows what she's walki

like she's so innocent. She jumped at the opportunity, and whatever it is,

lways take his side. You said the same thing before, remember? You stood there and act

"She made her choice, Jack. It wasn't James's fault.

though his voice carried an edge. "You told me

er. "What's done is done. James is making his o

er. "It's not about standing in the way. It's about

her feelings? She's not my concern. James is. He's the one who ne

You're just going to ig

together, and in this case, James's future. If Emily's part of that, then so be it. But d

well, you always put his future first, didn't you? Even w

al. "If you have nothing else to say, then

ptly, his shoulders stiff, and walked out of the office without another word. His thought

ders. His chest tight with frustration over the conversat

. His father's cold dismissal still stung, the fe

at him. Did Emily truly

onging he hadn't allowed himself to acknowledge. He'd been tr

around his heart to protect himself. And yet, here h

e, her happiness, and twist it into something that ser

s a protector, not as James's brother, but as himself.

Jack couldn't shake the feeling that the battle ahead