“So it really was you,” Gary said, the last bit of hope draining from his voice. “You told Hayden everything.”

Jennifer stared coldly at him. “I’m part of the Lynn family now. Donald’s my husband. His parents got divorced, and he couldn’t bring himself to say it. I said it for him. Is that a problem?”

“Why now? Why’d you have to pick now?” Gary’s voice rose. “You know Grandpa’s health is fragile with high blood pressure. Why bring this up to him now of all times?”

“So you tried to give him a stroke on purpose, huh? You did it. How can you wear that white coat and be so completely shameless?”

Jennifer’s pen hit the floor with a sharp click. She picked it up without a word, snapped the cap on, and stood to face Gary.

She said calmly, “Hayden was here for a checkup. I bumped into him and told him the truth. At least he was already in the hospital if something went wrong.”

“And what if he didn’t make it?” Gary shot back, his gaze burning into her. “Did that thought ever cross your mind?”

He took a step closer. “You pulled this stunt to keep Teresa from telling Jonathan about their kid. You’re terrified of losing your job and Donald, so you roll the dice with an old man’s life? When the hell did you become this twisted?”

“Are you done?” Jennifer’s composure finally cracked. “This is my office, and we are in the hospital. You and I are nothing to each other. Who do you think you are, storming in here and questioning me?”

“Nothing to each other…” Gary echoed, letting out a bitter laugh. “I’m Werner’s son. Donald’s brother. Does our friendship over all these years mean nothing to you now? Did you just erase it all? I thought we were best friends, Jennifer.”

“If you were my best friend,” she sneered, “you’d be on my side, not standing there waiting for my world to implode. I don’t want Teresa to tell Jonathan everything, but it’s not just about me. I’m trying to protect Teresa from making a huge mistake, one that would ruin her life.”

To Gary, her words weren’t an explanation. They were just pathetic, twisted excuses.

Gary snapped, “So the whole world’s gotta play by your rules? You were never this twisted. Or maybe…” He choked on the words. “Maybe this is who you’ve always been, and I was just too stupid to see it.”

“Twisted? You don’t get to judge me. None of you do.” Jennifer’s voice stayed flat. “You have no clue what my life has been like. The number of people who have ever genuinely cared about me? I can count them on one hand. My only goal is to protect the very few people who matter to me.”

“But all you do is hurt people. Again and again.” Gary’s voice shook, “Is your crappy childhood your only excuse? I’ve been through hell, too. Lots of people had messed-up childhoods, but they don’t use it as an excuse to cross lines like you do.”

“You were wrong, Jennifer. Just admit it. You gambled with a man’s life. You…” he said, tears in his eyes. “You're a…”

“Sanford-” Jennifer started.

“Don’t,” he snapped. “Don’t call me that. That name is dead. I’m Gary now. And you need to understand something, Jennifer. You’re gonna pay for what you did.” He turned on his heel and walked away.

Jennifer stood there, stunned. Gary had never gone at her like that. Snapping out of it, she ran after him, grabbing his arm and dragging him to an empty end of the hall.

“Where are you going? Are you going to tell Jonathan everything?” She was in his face now.