Chapter 30
Emily and Xena we
were sharing a hospital room, both looking pale and battered which sharply contrasted with Molly’s condition
But Janie and Jackson felt no rympathy.
Inside, there were two police officers a doctor, and Erhan
The moment Ethan laid eyes on Janir, his pupils widened in shock,
he stood up in a panic,
Xena bit her lips, feeling her already aching body intensify with pain as the thought. Why? Why did the Jenkins family react so dramatically at Janie’s arrival?” It was just blood! We were the ones who had been family for twenty years!
The Jenkins family knew that Janse, Ryan, and Xena were on the same show since it involved their two kids, so they had been keeping an eye on
When Xena had her incident yesterday, their parents riched over to care for her.
Today, they had other commaments, Iraving only Ryan and Ethan
Ethan could hardly process–the person who had vanished for five yo
Jamie hadn’t changed much at all.
He tentatively asked, Janie!”
years had suddenly reappeared
Janie gave a casual nod, a polite acknowledgment as if they were meeting for the first time.
With so many people around, Ethan chose to keep his cool and replied calmly, “It’s been a long time”
David couldn’t help but look at Janie and then back at Ethan and Xena, itching to grab them and demand to know their relationship
Then, Janie, Jackson, and David got to work on the investigation, changing information with the interested doctor.
Janie and Jackson had no intention of sticking around. Once they wrapped up their business, they planned to leave.
However, Ethan stepped in front of them. “Miss Janie, please wait.
Jackson was annoyed by their interference but didn’t lash out. Instead, he turned to Janie.
She simply watched Ethan quietly.
After
a moment of hesitation, Ethan said. “We need to
to talk to Miss
Miss Janie. Can we have a moment?*
Ryan, who had just returned, was also focused intently on Janie.
David frowned
Janie knew there was no way to avoid this and if they didn’t sort things out now, they would keep coming after her, which would be a hassle
“Fine, Janie finally said.
Jackson quickly added. “Janie, I’ll go with you.”
Ethan and kyan frowned in unison, clearly unhappy with this.
But Janir nodded, “Okay”
Ryan and Ethan were obviously reluctant. “We meant alone.”
Jackson smirked. “You think you can dictate terms! Janir getting to go is generous enough!“
Erhan and Ryan felt frustrated. “Janie..”
Janae cui lum off, impatient. “Didn’t you hear what he said? If you don’t want to talk, then get lost”
Ethan frowned, ready to retort, but Ryan stopped him. “It’s fine.”
David watched, clearly unable to intervene.
Amid his envious gaze, Jackson confidently walked away, following Janir,
1/3
12:26 PM d
Chapter 30
In a nearby cafe, after they ordered their drinks, the door was firmly shot, leaving Janie, Jackson, Ethan, and Ryan alone in the private booth.
Ethan and Ryan exchanged glances but stayed silent.
Impatient, Jackson snapped. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it We don’t have all day!”
Ethan gritted his teeth. “What’s with your animale?“
Jane replied coolly, “If you don’t like it, feel free in leave?
Ethan was taken aback. “Janie, you’re actually defending him?”
Jackson shot back. “Of course! I’m her brother!”
Janie didn’t respond, clearly agreeing
Ethan clenched his jac. “We’re her brother?”
Janie’s expression darkened. “Are you really going to keep going with this pointless argument! I don’t have the patience for this”
Knowing Janie’s temperament well, Ryan quickly interjected, Janie, let’s get to the point.
Ethan’s face fell. “Since you’re hack, why not go home?”
Jane said. “Huh?”
Jackson chimed in. “Seriously, are you out of your mind‘ Don’t push me!”
All traces of Jackson’s usual calm disappeared.
Lihan, unable to hold back, slammed his hand on the table. “What’s your attitude? This is ridiculous!”
Jackson smirked. “Giv
“Given people like you, I’d say my attitude is pretty generous.
Janie nodded. “Exactly, you’ve really gone above and beyond.”
Jackson smiled sweetly. Im happy to do it for you”.
Ryan and Ethan’s expressions turned grum.
Ryan tugged at Ethan and, trying to keep his emotions in check, said, “Janie, why are
y are you acting like this? After all these years, you must have made your point. We all miss you; come home with us”
Janie leisurely took a sip of her coffer “What? That sounds absurd. Have you forgotten how I left? I don’t want to get involved in your family drama. Can’t you just pretend I don’t exist?”
Ryan and Ethan fell silent.
After a moment, Ethan finally spoke, “We didn’t handle things well back then, but we’re family. Why dwell on it? We all made mistakes, and so many years have passed..
Janie interrupted, “In those eighteen years and the last five, I’ve gotten used to life without you, and I don’t want you in my life anymore I don’t want to complicate things or get caught up in your family drama.
Ryan pleaded, “But we’re family!
Janie replied coolly, “I don’t feel that way. I tried to accept you because of our blood ties, but that was a mistake. Blood doesn’t matter. You and Xena aren’t related, yet you’re still close siblings, right?”
Sering they were about to argue again, Janie said firmly, “Tve said enough. The bottom line is: I have my own family, and I don’t want to force anything. Let’s just act like strangers. You live your lives, and I’ll live mine. Let’s not disturb each other?”
She stood up to leave.
At that moment, Ryan asked. “Who
family! Jackson!”
Jackson shot him a cold look.
Janie replied without hesitation, “Yes!
Jackson’s face lit up with a smile.
Ryan grilled his teeth. “You don’t even share blood. How can you be sure he has good intentions?””
2/3
Chapter 30
Jackson’s smile vanished instantly, and he exploded, “What did you just say!”
- ed. As her bro
Ethan met his gaze. “You and Janie aren’t related. As her brothers, we have to worry about your intentions.”
In a flash, Jackson’s rage erupted, and both Ethan and Ryan were slammed against the wall.
Janie raised an eyebrow, realizing that those kicks weren’t light, but Jackson had held back his strength; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to
getup.
Ethan and Ryan were in shock, feeling more embarrassed than hurt. “What are you doing‘ Hist”
Jackson let out a cold laugh. “You want to keep this up?”
Getting beaten up in front of Janie was incredibly humiliating for them.
Janic, aren’t you going to do anything“” they asked.
Janie shrugged. “Am I supposed to give Jackson a pat on the back right now? That seems a bit much, don’t you think?”
Ethan and Ryan were speechless.
“If you want to fight back, now’s your chance, she continued.
Jackson shot a sorrowful look at Janic
Janie feigned innocence, knowing they were bound to lose.
Jackson added, Janie and I are innocent here. If you keep talking like that, things won’t stay so easy!”
Ethan and Ryan, still struggling to rise, felt a wave of frustration
“Go ahead and call the cops if you want,” Jackson said again.
They gritted their teeth. “Janie, we’re not trying to question you. It’s just that you’re so young and beautiful, and we’re a little concerned.”
Janie recognized they meant no real harm
She always knew Ethan and Ryan had some humanity in them and feelings for her.
Otherwise, Jackson wouldn’t have gone easy on them.
Janie looked at them. “Is that so? You and Xena aren’t related by blood either. You treat her so well–do you have some secret connection?”
Ryan
and Ethan were furious, shouting back. “How can you say that! We’re siblings with Xenal”
Janie laughed coldly. “Oh, so you have double standards. My family and I are completely innocent, and you have no right to judge. Honestly, we’re not close at all; we’ve only spent two days together. And we can treat each other like strangers now.”
Janie turned to Jackson. “By the way, why don’t you give them some medical expenses?”
Jackson suddenly looked enlightened. “Oh, right!”
He pulled out a wad of cash and tossed it to Ethan and Ryan. Take your time getting up and I’m leaving.”
Janie and Jackson left without looking back
Ryan and Ethan, red–faced and staring blankly at Janic as she walked away, couldn’t help but feel that she seemed to leave without any attachment, just like she had five years ago.
Back then, they thought she was just upset, only to lose touch for five whole years, disappearing without a trace.
They shouted in unison, “Janie!“
But she didn’t stop and quickly disappeared from their sight.
