Soon, only Shane and Jackson remained in the living room.
Jackson coughed, “Do you have something to tell me?”
“Haven’t I told you to keep Jacqueline at the hospital?” Shane narrowed his eyes at Jackson.
Shane wanted to put some distance between Natalie and Jacqueline because of the things Jacqueline had done since moving in.
He had instructed Jackson to keep Jacqueline at the hospital till next month, seeing as she needed surgery for her eyes. He would ask Mr. Gunn to pick her up after holding a recovery banquet for her.
However, Jackson didn’t follow his instruction.
Jackson knew he broke his promise to Shane. “I really wanted to keep her there, but I couldn’t.”
“Did something happen?” Shane frowned.
Jackson let out a sigh, and his expression turned bitter. “Jacqueline didn’t want to stay at the hospital. So when I wasn’t paying attention, she went to the Ophthalmology Department to inquire if she’s free to leave the hospital. When she heard that she could, she had me bring her here immediately.”
“And then?” Shane asked as his face turned dark.
Jackson massaged his temples. “I denied her. But she begged me, and I was worried about her being reckless. So that was how she ended up here. I’m sorry, Shane.”
Shane focused his cold gaze on Jackson. “Do you know the problems you have brought to my family by letting her come here?”
“I know. I can tell from Natalie’s attitude earlier.” Jackson smiled bitterly.
Jackson had regretted his action. Because if anything happened between Natalie and Jacqueline again, he would be the cause of it.
But it was too late to regret now. Jacqueline was here already.
“Jackson, do you still love Jacqueline?” Shane asked abruptly, interrupting Jackson’s pity party.
Jackson was baffled by his question. “Why do you ask me this suddenly?”
“Answer me!” Shane analyzed him.
Jackson’s eyes glinted. After a short pause, he nodded. “Yes, I do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given in to her plead.”
“If so, do your best to woo her.” Shane took a sip of water.
Jackson almost bit his tongue at his comment. “Woo her?”
“Didn’t you say you love her?” Shane cast him a sideways glance.
Jackson fidgeted nervously. “I do! But I can’t because she already has someone she likes.”
Jackson lowered his eyes in dejected.
Shane pursed his lips into a thin line. “Does Jacqueline know you love her?”
“I don’t know.” Jackson shook his head. “I haven’t told her about my feelings yet. So I don’t know if she knew about it.”
“If so, why not just tell her your feelings? If she knew, you might succeed,” Shane added nonchalantly.
Jackson was persuaded but shook his head. “I can’t. The person Jacqueline loves is you. Even if I confess to her, she will only reject me. Moreover, I don’t want to put her in a difficult position and make her unhappy.”
That was his way of showing his love. By doing so, he hoped that she would always be happy.
He didn’t want his feeling to be a nuisance to her.
Shane sneered, “You’re just lame. You don’t confess to her, nor are you bold enough to woo her. And that is why you will never get her. The outcome might be different if you’re bolder.”
Jackson awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Fine. I admit that I’m timid when it comes to expressing my feelings.
But if I’m bolder, will Jacqueline agree to be with me?
Jackson started to consider deeply.
Shane heard footsteps coming down the stairs. When he shifted his gaze, he saw Natalie. He set his glass on the coffee table. “Take your time to think about it. If you leave Jacqueline to herself, who knows what she might become. That isn’t something you and I could determine.”
