Sam didn’t want to feel like he was running away. His pride wouldn’t allow it. But Joanne’s ntion of Brian Cooper made his stomach twist. That na, sharp as a slap, hit a nerve.
Brian had opened his eyes. Made him see what little worth the world saw in him. He showed him the path forward.
And now Joanne, the cousin he believed had manipulated their grandfather to steal what should’ve been his, was mocking his savior. That was all she did. She considered herself the smartest person in the world and did whatever she pleased. She considered him beneath her.
He wanted to bring down her arrogance. He wanted to shout back. Wanted to tell her he would get what was owed to him. That he wasn’t finished. He was going to win.
But before a single word left his mouth, the rottweiler crouched beside Joanne lunged forward with a thundering bark.
Sam’s heart stopped.
Then his legs moved.
He spun on his heels and bolted.
Joanne gasped, not expecting Fluffy to actually pounce. But when the careless, most cowardly of her dogs gave chase, it sparked a chain reaction.
Mr. Bingley—the towering Great Pyrenees—barked once, deep and guttural, and bounded after Sam. Her other guard dogs joined the stampede, charging after the flailing man.
Sam scread, holding his life in his hands as he ran across the yard like a man chased by the very hounds of hell.
It was probably true.
Joanne stood frozen for a beat before laughter bubbled up from her chest. The image of Sam being chased down by Fluffy and her fluffy army was too much.
Just as Fluffy was about to nip at Sam’s heels, her voice rang out, firm and clear.
"Stay!"
All the dogs skidded to a halt, paws scattering gravel in every direction. Obedient. Disciplined. Regal.
Sam didn’t look back. He kept running like the devil was still on his heels.
Joanne shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Amusent danced in her eyes.
Jeffrey watched her, that light in her face, and a grin blood on his own. He whistled sharply and Fluffy ca bounding back, tail wagging. Her other dogs dispersed to continue their duties.
Jeffrey stepped up and gently took her hand, guiding her back into the house.
The mont they crossed the threshold, the light in her expression dimd just slightly. A flicker of lancholy curved at the edge of her smile.
"I’m proud of you," he said softly, his voice full of warmth and quiet strength.
He didn’t need to ask. Sam’s reaction had told him everything. Joanne hadn’t given him a single cent.
And he knew—he knew—she was mourning sothing deeper. Not just the loss of family, but the burden of guilt she’d carried far too long.
Joanne let out a shaky breath and nodded.
"I coddled him so much," she said. "His family helped ... begrudgingly. And I didn’t want him to struggle when I had more than I needed." Her voice was quiet. "But he got greedy. Spent all his chances."
She t his gaze. "I owe him nothing."
Jeffrey kissed her temple, slow and sure. "You don’t have to support him anymore," he whispered.
Joanne nodded again. "Say that to whenever I forget," she murmured.
And he would. As many tis as it took.
-----
Joanne leaned into the couch, letting her body sink into the softness—and into him. Her head carelessly ca to rest on Jeffrey’s lap, and he instinctively began to stroke her hair, careful around the bandage. The slow rhythm of his fingers was soothing, almost hypnotic. Her eyes fluttered shut.
She was dangerously close to dozing off when her phone buzzed. Fiona had called earlier, saying she was bringing over dinner. Joanne smiled faintly at the thought. She didn’t want to fall asleep just yet—she was starving.
"Sam is a piece of work," Jeffrey said, his voice tinged with amused disbelief. "You’re not still thinking about him, are you?"
A soft smile played on her lips. "No..." she murmured, eyes still closed, voice drowsy. His fingers threading through her hair made her feel like she was floating, warm and weightless.
Then, with a dry chuckle, she added, "et my family."
Jeffrey laughed quietly, but she could feel him watching her. She shifted slightly, sinking further into him.
"What about your cousins?" she asked, not thinking much of it at first. "What are they like?"
The question hung in the air.
She noticed the mont his hand paused.
And in that silence, realization dawned. He hadn’t told her who he really was. And she knew exactly what his cousins thought of him.
Her heart sank, just a little.
She hadn’t ant to corner him—not with a loaded question. But now that it was out there, she couldn’t help but wonder... why was he still hiding? Was she not open enough? Hadn’t she shown her heart to him? What was he afraid of? That she’d love him less if she knew?
She opened her eyes and looked up at him, studying his expression.
Jeffrey cleared his throat. His smile returned—easy, familiar, but a little too practiced.
"My cousins are all... assholes," he said with a laugh. "They’re high-achievers. The type that only respect people who graduated from Ivy Leagues at age fourteen. So basically, 99.5% of humanity is beneath them."
Joanne laughed with him. She let it go—for now. But her heart had felt the dodge, the way he’d stepped back behind his wall. It stung, but she didn’t show it.
She decided she’d wait. She’d be patient. She’d make sure he knew, without a doubt, that her love wasn’t conditional. She wanted him—all of him, na and all.
They talked for a while, their conversation andering comfortably. Until a knock sounded at the door.
Jeffrey stood to answer it.
Liam grinned on the porch. Fiona stood beside him with a wide smile, holding up a tray like a prize. "She wanted to have dinner with you two," Liam said, amusent dancing in his eyes. "So I brought her here."
Joanne smiled. Warmth blood in her chest.
The four of them sat down to eat together. Laughter filled the air, stories passed between bites. And though there were things still left unsaid, for now, there was comfort. There was company. There was love.
Joanne smiled seeing Liam and Jeffrey talking about sothing so seriously. She went to her room and Fiona joined her. They just chatted for so ti before Joanne fell asleep without knowing.
The morning light spilled into her room and Joanne was in for a surprise.
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