?


    Jayne eyed him, noting the storm brewing beneath his surface. "Had a fallout with Christine?"


    Dailey remained silent, a fortress of solitude.


    Jayne''s thoughts drifted back to the previous day, picturing Dailey lurking behind her car, likely overhearing Christine introducing her new boyfriend. She had thought Dailey was cool as a cucumber, unbothered. Yet, here he was, having dashed over at the crack of dawn.


    "Is that mark on your neck courtesy of Christine?" Jayne inquired, a touch of concerncing her voice.


    Dailey, struggling to keep his emotions in check, replied tersely, "If you have something to say, just say it."


    Not one to beat around the bush, Jayne cut straight to the chase, "Call off the wedding with Nelly."


    Dailey''s refusal was swift, "If that''s all we''re here to discuss, I''d rather not."


    As he turned to leave, Jayne caught him, her voice a blend of stern and tender, "Son, this is your first love; you don''t understand how a woman''s heart works. If you go through with this wedding, Christine will never forgive you."


    Dailey''s response was devoid of emotion, "Isn''t this what you wanted?"? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Jayne was momentarily taken aback. Indeed, they had hoped to steer him away from Christine, but a wedding with Nelly was out of the question, especially now that the child was no longer in the picture. Nelly''s maniptive nature would only entangle Dailey further, making any future rtionships challenging at best.


    "Son, Nelly doesn''t want to marry you either. Pushing her into this will only backfire," Jayne advised, her voice softening. "The child''s not yours, so sending her abroad might be the best move. As for Christine, it''s for the best. You two are worlds apart. I''ll find you a suitable match."


    Dailey had grown weary of these conversations, his patience worn thin. "Mom, I''m not a kid anymore. You left me to fend for myself once, and I made it through. I''ve learned a lot."


    "And you''ve be someone many admire because of it," Jayne added, trying to steer the conversation.


    Dailey acknowledged, "I won''t deny


    what you''ve given me-skills, resources. I''ve not turned my back on the rkson family, but if you keep pushing, I''ll have to choose my own path."


    Jayne fell silent, her heart heavy with unspoken words.


    "Dailey, without the rkson family, you won''t be able to protect Christine," she finally said, the concern evident in her voice.


    Dailey''s smirk was his only reply, "That''s why I''m leaving her a way out."


    Jayne''s heart ached, "Don''t you care about us, about the rkson legacy at all?"


    Dailey''s tone remained detached, "Just watch from the sidelines. I won''t let the rkson family fall."


    Before Jayne could respond, Dailey''s hand went up, signaling the end of the discussion.


    Primo stepped forward, offering to


    escort Jayne back. Her words lodged in her throat, she nodded, and Primo gently urged, "Madam, please."


    As they entered the elevator, Jayne couldn''t help but ask, "Did you go to see Christine this morning?"


    Primo bowed slightly, loyalty shining in his eyes, "Madam, you can scold me, punish me, but please don''t ask me about the young master. My lips are sealed."


    Jayne could only sigh, acknowledging Primo''s steadfast loyalty.


    ...


    After leaving the shop, Christine sought out Jane.