Novel & Cerita Sorry Miss Jackson

When he doesn’t volunteer the information, my nerves ratchet higher. “And the reason you’re taking me back is…?” He darts a glance at me. Just one, and it’s too fast for me to read his eyes. “Because I made a mistake.” And the winner of the Vaguest Person Ever Award goes to Jackson Stone. “And that mistake is…?” Several more minutes pass in silence. Just as I’m preparing to repeat myself, Jackson pulls onto the side road leading to his land. There are a couple of temporary cabins set up a few feet away, but that’s it. Other than that, everything looks much the same as when I was last here for the BBQ.

“Sorry for startling you, Miss Grace. Are you alright? I just wanted to say hi.” I blinked up at the man, slightly startled, my eyes narrowing in confusion. His face didn’t ring a bell. He caught my look and chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Oh, right. You must’ve forgotten who I am.” He smiled easily, like we were old friends. “I’m Jackson, from the sales team. We met at the welcome party, at that restaurant?” The name hit me a second later. Jackson. Oh. That Jackson. The one who’d cornered me outside the restaurant that night, trying a little too hard to get my number, until River showed up and scared the living daylights out of him.

Jackson looked stunned, then came to his senses and hastily offered an apology to Shawn and Sally, “I am so sorry; I didn’t know that my silly daughter would do something like this. "Let me take her home and give her a good talking-to, then after a few days, we'll personally make amends!" After saying this, Jackson made as if he were going to drag Wynn off with him and depart. “Wait a minute.” A corner of Elijah’s lips quirked up slightly. Calmly and with great presence of mind, he poured himself a cup of tea. “Blair, please play back what Mr. Jackson Summers said before.” “Okay.”

A message from Jackson. Congratulations.

“Where? Oh my God! Did anyone get hurt? Anyone I know? Where was it? Oh God, oh God, oh…” “Calm yourself, Ms. Jackson," Reggie nods in my direction, reminding her that they are not alone. “This isn’t helping anyone.” Jessica looks past Reggie to see me watching her display. Wiping away a tear, she reaches out to me. “Oh Addison, I’m so sorry. I…” she pauses, looking at the ring on my hand. “Is that the Excelsior Diamond?” She tilts my hand to the side, letting the ring catch the light before remembering herself and apologizing.

"Don't. Don't try to talk. You'll hurt yourself." Jackson shook his head stubbornly. Reached for Richard's hand. Squeezed weakly. And Richard understood. Forgiveness. Or at least the beginning of it. He sat back down. He held Jackson's hand. And they stayed like that until Jackson fell asleep, exhausted from the effort of that single word. *** Outside in the waiting area, Liam found Richard emerging from the ICU, his eyes red, his expression raw. "Mr. Maddox." "Liam. I'm glad you're here. Jackson needs you. More than he needs me." Richard's voice was rough. "I just wanted to say... I'm sorry. For what my family has done to yours. For the role I played in all of this."

Jackson spilled unexpectedly. “Your child!”

he says. I look at him in disgust. I can see on his face he realizes he may have made a mistake. “We just lost our best friend; give us a few minutes to process before you start dictating,” I scowl as he frowns. “You did not lose her. She is going to be with her mate. She will be back. You heard Carleton. He wants her here when he is travelling,” Jackson says confused.

"Mistakes? That's a broad term." Jackson sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. Look, I... I never properly apologised for how I treated you after you rejected me. I was hurt, yes, but that's no excuse for shutting you out completely." Lima's grip tightened on her glass. She hadn't expected this conversation, not after all this time. "It's in the past, Jackson. We've both moved on, haven't we?" "Have we?" Jackson's eyes met hers, searching. "Because I'm not sure I have. And I'm starting to wonder if you have either."