The Suspense

 As Jack and Blue rekindled their romance, Blue is torn between her love for him and the secrets she's kept hidden for so long - Ivy. She knows she can't keep Ivy a secret forever but she's afraid of how Jack will react, and she's trying not to get entangled in his family's dark side.

when Jack asks Blue about her life, she falters, not certain of how to approach the question. "I've been…busy", she says vaguely, "I've been focusing on my career and…. Other things."

Jack senses that there's more to her story, but he didn't push her. Yet.

As they spend more time together, Blue knows that she needs to come up with a more convincing story about Ivy's presence in her life. She decides to tell Jack that Ivy is her niece, the daughter of a sister she never knew she had.

"Ivy is my sisters daughter" Blue says casually, trying to sound convincing.

"Her mom passed away and I've been taking care of her".

Jacks eyes widened with surprise, but he doesn't suspect a thing. "I'm so sorry Blue," he says, pulling her into a hug. "I had no idea."

Blue feels a pant of guilt for lying to Jack, but she knows she needs to protect Ivy's true identity - for now.

As Jack spends more time with Blue, he begins to notice Ivy's presence in her life, but Blue is careful to keep them apart, using excuses like "Ivy's shy" or "Ivy is busy with school."

But as their relationship deepens, Blue knows she can't keep Ivy hidden forever. Jack will eventually discover Ivy's true identity, and She can only hope that he'll understand and forgive her for keeping the secret.

 Jack is set to return to New York the next day, he is stuck and confused. What is this thing he really feels for Blue? He wants to stop his heart from getting attached, but it's not working. He stared at her from across the room, she's laying peacefully. Her face illuminated by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. She looked serene but yet he knew there was a storm beneath her calm exterior- just as there was within him.

He clenched his fists, frustrated. How had he let himself get here? His life in New York was a web of obligations, built on compromises and secrets. But Blue, everything felt raw and real.

She shifted in her sleep, her hair spilling across the pillow like a dark halo. Jacks heart ached, he didn't want to leave but he knew he had to.

Blue wasn't asleep, she felt jacks eyes on her, heavy with emotions he hadn't voiced. She wanted to tell him everything-about Ivy, about the years she spent alone, about the fears that kept her from reaching out to him, and the silent nights of tears. But she couldn't, not yet.

Her mind raced with questions, what if Jack found out about Ivy? Would he see it as a betrayal or would he understand that she had only been trying to protect their daughter from the dark webs of his family?

She opened her eyes slightly, with a heavy heart, catching a glimpse of him by the wall mirror. He looked conflicted, lost in thoughts. "What could be running through his mind?" She thought to herself. He caught her eyes, and softened his expression.

"Jack" she whispered with a soft voice, breaking the silence.

He turned to her, his expression turned mild.

"Come here pookie" she said, parting the space beside her as she rubs her eyes giving him a soft smile.

Jack hesitated before walking over and sitting beside her. Blue sat up, wrapping the duvet around her shoulders.

"Are you okay?" She asked softly, her eyes searching his.

He nodded in affirmation but the flicker of hesitation didn't escape her.

"You're leaving tomorrow" she said, her voice tinged with sadness.

"I have to" Jack admitted, with a heavy tone. "But I don't want to" he added

Blue smiled faintly, trying to hide her own turmoil. "You have a life in New York, Jack. A wife, a business, everything you've worked for all your life."

"And none of it feels right anymore", he said with a low but firm voice, looking straight in her eyes, "not when I'm here with you"

Blue's heart skipped a beat, she looked away, "Jack, this -whatever this is- can't be easy. I can't be easy. There are things you don't know…things I'm not ready to let out."

Jack reached for her hand, his touch warm and grounding. "Then tell me when you're ready. I just need to know one thing: Do you still feel what I feel? Or is this just me?" 

Her breath hitched. "It's not just you," she admitted, her voice barely audible. 

"Jack, I feel the same way about you, most times I can't even hold it back. But right now. Everything seems complicated" she looked away as tears rolled down her eyes.

Jack reached out to her face, and wiped the tears, he pulled her into his arms and patted her back.

At that moment, he was short of words, he didn't know exactly what to say to her, he felt like he had made a serious mistake-of course he did- but how can he change things? Will there be a chance at love for him and Blue? He instantly had flashbacks of the day his father decided he was going to marry Myrtle, he thought about the family empire, he thought about the family secrets and the major role he plays in keeping the little he knows undercover. "Is it worth risking for the one I truly love?" He whispered to himself. And kissed Blue on the forehead.

"Everything will be fine, Blue. Trust me with this" he muttered.

She looked up to him, and nodded, feeling a bit relieved. She gave him a big hug.