CHAPTER 21
The look on Jackson’s face was far from welcoming. It wasn’t just surprise—it was disapproval, cold and sharp. I slowly pulled away from Noah’s embrace, and Jackson stepped closer, offering a brief, flat greeting to his mother before walking past us without a word. He gave Noah and me a dead, unreadable stare. The tension in the room thickened like smoke. Pamela noticed it too. She turned to me with a gentle smile and said, “Don’t worry about Jackson, sweetheart. He’s just... processing things in his own way.” I nodded politely, but inside, guilt churned in my chest. Why did I feel guilty? He was the one who let me go. He was the one who pushed me away. So why was he now acting like I had done something wrong? This wasn’t how I had pictured my visit. I thought it would be healing, mayb
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