Page 85 of Breaking
"Because he's a decent person, Troy!" Jenna snapped, her frustration boiling over. "Unlike some people, he actually listens when I talk, doesn't dismiss me like an afterthought, and doesn't assume I need someone hovering over my shoulder every time I make a damn decision."
Troy's jaw tightened. "So that's what this is about? Sins that I can never overcome. I thought we were moving forward"
Jenna threw up her hands. "I thought so too. But this is about you thinking you still have a say in my life when you don't!"
Troy exhaled sharply, his hands curling into fists before unclenching with deliberate control. "You think I don't see what's happening here? The cosy little tête-à-tête, the lingering conversations? You can't seriously expect me to just ignore it."
Jenna took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "And you can't seriously expect me to run every aspect of my life by you. We are not together yet, Troy."
She didn't notice the sleek car pulling up outside, nor did she see Margaret stepping out, her expression like she had been sucking on a lemon as she caught the last of the argument. Only when she spoke did the tension in the air shift. "You really have no shame, do you?"
Lila was stepping out from the other side. Grant exited the driver's seat with a sigh, looking thoroughly exasperated. Jenna took one look at the unfolding scene and thought, 'My cup runneth over. As if this day could get any worse.'
Troy's frustration was immediate. "Mom, I told you not to come here. Why is she here?"
Jenna was already turning to leave, unwilling to subject herself to another round of Margaret's passive-aggressive comments. But Margaret, having overheard the last bit of her argument with Troy, seized the moment.
"First, you embarrass this family, and now you're flaunting another man while still legally married?"
Jenna, the new Jenna, didn't shrink back. She turned on her heel, already stepping toward the house, muttering under her breath, "Not today, Satan." But before she could escape, Troy's hand caught her wrist, his grip firm but pleading. She turned back, eyes blazing.
"Jenna, please," he said, voice low, steady. "This involves you. Don't walk away."
Jenna exhaled sharply, looking between him and Margaret, who was watching with a triumphant smirk. Her instincts screamed at herto leave, but the earnestness in Troy's eyes held her in place, anchoring her to the moment.
She sighed, tilting her head in mock consideration. "Fine. But if anyone starts preaching, I reserve the right to start drinking."
Chapter 64
Troy led them into the seating area, his shoulders rigid, his jaw tight. As Lila perched delicately on the edge of the couch, Jenna immediately noted the dark circles showing through her makeup, the way her frame had thinned, the nervous energy in her fingers as they tapped against her knee. Something was off, and Jenna, having dealt with Lila before, was wary.
Jenna followed reluctantly, her stomach twisting with unease. Was Troy actually entertaining this? The thought made her feel sick to her stomach. But before she could voice her doubts, Troy reached for her hand and pulled her down onto the couch next to him, firm and protective. The action was subtle, but the message was clear. Jenna let herself sink into the seat, watching the storm unfold around her.
Margaret exhaled sharply; her gaze sharp yet deceptively polite. "You must understand, Jenna, I only want what's best for Troy. His life in Brighton-it's where he belongs. Where he can thrive. I can see why he's finding this difficult, but sometimes we have to make the hard choices. You've done the right thing stepping away, and you should continue on that path. I'll ensure you're compensated."
Jenna snorted, folding her arms. "Compensated? For what, exactly? For my years of service? For being a broodmare, a maid, a nanny, and an event manager? Margaret, you couldn't compensate me enough."
Margaret's lips pursed slightly, but she maintained her composed expression. Lila, for once, remained silent, observing, assessing.
Troy had had enough. His voice cut through the room, firm and unyielding. "We have had this conversation before, Mother. You know what Jenna means to me. I don't want a life without her. I am trying to rebuild what I have destroyed, and you coming here, against my clear wishes-well, this is like an act of war."
Margaret attempted to interrupt, but Troy spoke over her. "If Jenna tolerated the emotional abuse she was subjected to, it was because she wanted to keep the peace in the family. Thinking back, I don't know why she stayed as long as she did, but if she had left before this, I would have followed her. My life took a different, better path only because she came into it. I don't regret a thing."
Margaret stiffened but recovered quickly. "But Lila-"
Troy's gaze flicked to Lila, his voice unwavering. "Lila is here and can answer for herself. Have I ever given you the idea that I was interested in you as anything but a colleague and Mack's sister? You know how much I owe him, and you know that factored into our relationship, platonic as it was. I hope you're not suggesting there was ever something more than that. Grant might be an easier option than me."
Grant pulled a face as if he had just smelt something disgusting before shaking his head.
"I leave the crazies to you-I have my hands full dealing with Victoria."
Margaret's expression turned apoplectic, her face resembling a fish out of water gasping for breath.
Lila remained silent, assessing. The weight of the room shifted as Jenna took her turn to speak. "Margaret, control is important to you, isn't it? You used money to control your husband and your children,moving your family like pieces on a chessboard to keep them exactly where you wanted. You have a controlling interest in the company, and you make Grant and Eleanor toe the line with that. Troy has been chomping at the bit in his own quiet way, and you blame me for that, don't you? It's not just my background-you just can't take the loss of control."
Margaret sputtered, trying to regain control of the conversation. "Well, I never-"
Grant, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Mother, your constant interference hasn't done anyone any favours. My marriage to Victoria? That was your choice. I went along with it, and look where it got me. Now we're separating, and it's the kids who are suffering the most. You keep thinking you know what's best for everyone, but sometimes, you're the reason things fall apart. Maybe it's time you let the adults make their own decisions."
