Chapter 110: The Official Lie
"I’ve never seen a family like yours," Jean said, almost in a whisper. "All I ever knew was mine... where everything was staged, polished, empty. Where love was just another performance. Your parents? They’re real. They care."
She finally turned to Logan, her gaze vulnerable and unsure. "If I hadn’t met them, I might have never known what that looked like."
Logan didn’t speak right away. Then, gently, he asked, "So what are you saying?"
Jean hesitated. "I’m saying... I don’t know how long I can lie to people like that. Especially people who don’t deserve to be lied to."
A beat passed. Then Logan spoke, softer than she expected.
"I didn’t bring you into my life to hurt them, Jean."
She nodded. "I know."
Another stretch of silence settled in the car, heavier than before, but not cruel. Just... complicated. Like both of them were beginning to understand the consequences of a decision that once felt so calculated.
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Later that evening, as the house quieted down and the guests had left, Jared sat in the lounge with a glass of whiskey in his hand. His eyes were thoughtful, his brows furrowed. Martha sat across from him, folding laundry with a calm air, while Hannah lounged nearby with her phone.
Jared finally spoke. "Something’s off with Logan and Jean."