“No problem,” Zane replied without a moment’s hesitation. “She’s my family. I would have checked in even if you hadn’t asked.”
“Great. I’ll wait to hear back from you.”
“Absolutely.”
After ending the call, Zane immediately tried reaching both Colleen and Nelson. Neither answered. A deep frown creased his features as unease settled in. Something wasn’t right.
As it turned out, something had indeed happened.
Colleen’s phone was unreachable because her mother, Louise Hayes, had taken it away. And it hadn’t stopped there—Louise had effectively placed Colleen under house arrest.
She had even gone so far as to call the hospital herself and arrange Colleen’s leave. Louise had seen Brady drop Colleen off that very night, and she was determined to put an end to their relationship once and for all. Colleen’s stubborn refusal had only led to this forced “disappearance.”
Outside, the rain hammered down relentlessly.
Colleen slipped quietly from her room and tiptoed down the stairs.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Louise’s voice rang out as Colleen reached the steps, edged with sarcasm and restrained anger. “Trying to sneak out?”
“Mom…” Colleen froze in place, her lips curving into a strained smile that never reached her eyes. “Please… I’m scheduled for the night shift at the hospital.”
“Night shift, huh?” Louise scoffed. “Fine. End things with Brady, and you can take as many night shifts as you want, even for a month. I won’t stand in your way.”
She lifted her chin, her voice cool and firm. “So, do we have a deal?”
“Mom!” Colleen’s voice trembled with desperation. “Why are you asking for the impossible? I’ve told you already—Brady and I truly like each other!”
I@?€$? ￠tя? In ?alπ?νεl?.c?m
“Genuinely like each other?” Louise’s teeth clenched as she jabbed a finger at Colleen’s forehead. “Do you have any idea what the Jenkins are like?”
“I…” Colleen faltered, then gave a small nod. “I do.”
“And yet you still want to be with him?” Louise threw up her hands in disbelief. “Cade left his wife for her sister! And that woman—good heavens! She has no shame! I’ve never seen anyone so shameless!”
Those scandals had once been little more than juicy gossip to Louise. But everything changed when her daughter’s future was at stake.
“Colleen, you are our pride and joy, our beloved daughter!” Louise’s tone softened, shifting into a plea. “I can’t just stand by and let you marry into that kind of family!”
“Mom…” Colleen shook her head, her brows drawn tight. “I know his family has issues, but Brady isn’t like them! I swear, he’s amazing. Please believe me!”
“Don’t be so naive!” Louise’s bitter laugh cut through the air. “Blood ties don’t disappear. Do you really think marrying him means you can cut off his family?”
Colleen recalled what Brady had told her. “He promised we would live separately from his family.”
“What?” Louise’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You two have already talked about this?”
.
.
.