Chapter 16: A Heart Turnin Two

The night was endless.

Jane lay awake in her small, cold room, staring at the cracked ceiling as silent tears slid down her face.

She had told Jack to leave.

She had shattered his heart.

And hers along with it.

But what else could she have done?

If Olivia was truly carrying Jack's child, there was no future for them. Jack was an honorable man. He would never abandon his responsibilities. He would marry Olivia and do what was expected of him.

And Jane...

She would be nothing more than a painful memory, a fleeting moment of passion that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

A quiet sob escaped her lips as she turned onto her side, curling into herself.

"This is the only way," she whispered into the darkness.

Even if it felt like her soul was slowly being torn apart.

---

Jack's Anguish

Jack rode his horse hard through the darkened woods, the cool night air biting against his skin. But he didn't feel the cold.

All he felt was rage.

Frustration.

And an unbearable ache that burned in his chest.

Jane had pushed him away again.

And this time, she hadn't even fought for him.

His hands tightened around the reins as he urged the horse forward.

She was lying.

She still loved him. He had felt it in her kiss, seen it in her tear-filled eyes. But she was letting her fear—letting his mother—win.

And that... that was what infuriated him the most.

Olivia's words plagued his mind, but deep down, he refused to believe them. He knew he had never touched her. But the doubt Olivia planted twisted like a knife in his gut.

He couldn't lose Jane.

Not to a lie.

Not to Olivia's schemes.

And certainly not to his mother's cruelty.

---

A Dangerous Proposition

The next morning, Olivia sat in the grand parlor of the Lawrence estate, delicately sipping her tea as Margaret looked on approvingly.

Everything was falling into place.

Jack was furious. Jane was breaking.

And soon, there would be nothing left to stop them.

But Olivia wasn't a fool.

She knew Jack's heart still belonged to that wretched maid.

And until Jane was completely out of the picture, her hold on Jack would never be secure.

Margaret's cold gaze met hers. "You've done well," she said smoothly. "But we cannot afford mistakes now."

Olivia hesitated. "What if Jack refuses to marry me?"

Margaret's expression darkened. "Then we will ensure that he has no choice."

A slow, wicked smile spread across Olivia's lips. "I have a plan."

---

Jane's Breaking Point

Jane was carrying a silver tray through the hallway when she heard voices drifting from the drawing room.

She wasn't one to eavesdrop, but when she recognized the voices—

She froze.

Margaret.

And Olivia.

Her heart pounded as she pressed herself against the wall, listening.

"…must ensure that he has no choice," Margaret was saying.

"What if Jane refuses to leave?" Olivia asked softly.

Margaret chuckled coldly. "Then we will force her out. One way or another."

Jane's breath hitched.

They were going to force her out.

Her hands trembled around the tray as panic surged through her.

They wouldn't stop until she was gone.

And Jack...

Jack wouldn't even know the truth.

Tears burned her eyes as she stumbled back, the weight of her decision pressing down on her chest.

She had to leave.

Before they destroyed her completely.

---

Jack Confronts Olivia

Jack stormed into the parlor later that afternoon, his jaw tight and eyes blazing with fury.

Olivia looked up from her seat, feigning surprise. "Jack, I wasn't expecting you."

Jack didn't waste time. "Tell me the truth."

Olivia blinked innocently. "About what?"

"Are you really pregnant?" Jack's voice was cold, dangerous.

Olivia gasped, placing a hand protectively over her stomach. "Jack, how can you doubt me—"

"Answer me."

She hesitated just a second too long.

Jack's heart pounded.

She was lying.

"I understand this is difficult for you," Olivia said, her voice trembling with practiced sorrow. "But I'm carrying your child."

Jack stepped closer, his eyes burning into hers. "Then prove it."

Olivia's face paled. "What do you mean?"

"A doctor," Jack said darkly. "Tomorrow. I want a doctor to examine you and confirm your pregnancy."

Panic flickered across Olivia's face before she quickly masked it. "Jack, how dare you—"

"How dare you lie to me?" Jack's voice cracked with emotion.

Olivia's eyes filled with tears, but Jack didn't care.

"If you refuse," he said coldly, "I'll know the truth."

Without waiting for her response, he turned and stormed out of the room.

He would have the truth.

One way or another.

---

Jane's Escape Plan

That night, Jane made her decision.

She had to leave.

If Olivia and Margaret were truly plotting to force her out, she wouldn't wait for them to act.

She would go on her own terms.

Quietly, she packed her few belongings into a small, worn bag.

Her heart ached as she glanced around her tiny room.

This place had become her home.

She had found love here.

But love wasn't enough in a world that despised her for her status.

With a shaky breath, she slipped out of her room, careful to avoid the creaky floorboards.

She just had to make it to the servants' entrance.

She was nearly there—

When a firm hand grabbed her wrist.

She gasped, spinning around—

And found herself staring into Jack's furious blue eyes.

"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded.

Jane's heart pounded. "Jack... please. Let me go."

"No," he growled, stepping closer. "You're running away. Again."

Tears filled her eyes. "I have no choice."

"You always have a choice." Jack's voice cracked with desperation. "You can choose me."

Jane shook her head, her body trembling. "Olivia is pregnant with your child. I can't stand in the way of that."

Jack's jaw tightened. "She's lying."

Jane's breath caught. "What?"

"I confronted her. I demanded proof. Tomorrow, she'll see a doctor. And when her lie is exposed, I will have nothing holding me back from you."

Jane's tears spilled over as Jack cupped her face, his touch gentle, desperate.

"I love you, Jane," he whispered. "And I will fight for us. Even if you won't."

Jane's heart shattered as she leaned into his touch, craving the warmth and love she had been forced to deny.

"I love you too," she sobbed.

Jack pressed his forehead against hers, breathing her in. "Then stay. Stay with me."

In that moment, Jane knew there was no escaping her heart.

She belonged to him.

Always.

---

The Storm Before the Truth

As dawn broke over the Lawrence estate, Jack stood at the grand entrance, waiting for the doctor's arrival.

Margaret and Olivia watched from the upper balcony, panic flickering in Olivia's eyes.

"What do we do now?" Olivia whispered.

Margaret's expression darkened. "We make sure the truth never reaches Jack."

In the shadows, Jane stood beside Jack, her hand in his.

And for the first time in her life...

She wasn't afraid.

Because together, they would face whatever storm came next.