Chapter 1912

Even if she was a sly old fox-so what?

Jane watched it all unfold, barely able to believe what she was seeing. The woman she'd called Grandma for years was standing there, choosing someone else over her. Was this really what Fiona had always warned her about?

Her hand shook, nearly spilling the chicken soup she held.

"Grandma, are you really going to take her side?" Jane's voice was quiet but sharp.

The silence between them stretched on, heavy and suffocating, before Jane finally broke it. She was only asking out of habit now. If Mrs. Kidd was really going to protect Carson, then what was the point of Jane pretending to lead this family anymore?

Suddenly, a hundred memories flashed through her mind-every moment she'd shared with Carson, every time Mrs. Kidd had seemed to favor her. On the surface, it always looked like Grandma supported her, even spoiled her. But looking back, Jane realized there was never any real difference between her and Carson. She'd just been too blinded by trust and hope to see it.

She'd been wearing rose-colored glasses for far too long.

"Jane, you're a Kidd. The family always comes first," Mrs. Kidd said, her tone final.

"Is that so, Grandma?" Jane's disappointment was impossible to hide. "And Carson? Doesn't he have to put the family first too? He's the one burning through our emergency funds."

Something inside Jane broke. She scooted her chair away from Mrs. Kidd, putting space between them that felt impossible to cross.

Then it hit her-the so-called "emergency funds." None of it was as dire as they'd made her believe. The Kidds weren't on the edge of collapse. The money was all in Mrs. Kidd's hands. Of course, the Kidds were one of the most established families around. Her father's arrest couldn't have ruined them overnight. Even with trouble, the company would survive.

So all this time, they'd been lying to her. One lie after another, day after day.

And she'd bought into every single word.

She'd run herself ragged, chasing deals, desperate to save a family that never really needed saving.

The truth crashed over her, heavy and cold, stealing her breath and leaving her dizzy-like she was drowning and couldn't find the surface.

"Grandma, you really put on a great show. I actually believed you," Jane laughed, the sound brittle as tears stung her eyes.

She felt like a joke a fool everyone else was in on, left in the dark while they played along.

She glanced over at Fiona. How could she have been so naïve, so willing to believe everything Mrs: Kidd said? She'd danced to their tune like a puppet, thinking she was doing the right thing.

"Jane, you and Carson are both Kidds. You're both my family. I love you both the same," Mrs. Kidd said, letting out a heavy sigh as if the decision weighed on her.

"Jane, I know you're a good girl. I'll make up for the money, don't worry," Mrs. Kidd said, pulling a bank card from her purse and placing it in Jane's hand. "I'm old now, I just want

7.ne

everyone to be safe and for there to be no more trouble."

Jane stared at the card, her heart numb. She didn't want it-she didn't want any

of this. Everything she'd believed in was gone.

"Jane, just take the money. No

matter what, don't let yourself ame

without. Be good, okay?" Fiona said

gently, pressing the cas

fingers, her earlier anger gone.

Compared to Mrs. Kidd, Jane almost wanted to trust Fiona more.

At least Fiona was open-she didn't play these games. All these years, Jane realized, she'd been nothing but a fool, tricked and lied to by everyone she loved.