Gary yanked his arm free. “What, your control freak act extends to me now? I’m not your sister. I’m a stranger, remember? You said it yourself. I’m free to do whatever I want.”

“You–” For once, Jennifer was speechless. “Fine. I’m begging. Is this what you want? For me to grovel? Right here, in the hospital? Don’t do this to me. I need to prove I have what it takes to be a good doctor. I can’t stand anyone looking down on me.”

Gary didn’t answer, his silent fury more potent than any shout. She grabbed his arm again, her nails digging into his sleeve. “I’m begging you, Sanford… No, Gary. Please. I am begging.”

He closed his eyes for a long moment. When he opened them, the look of pure disappointment was so intense it felt like a physical blow.

“Go check on Hayden.” With those final words, Gary turned on his heel and strode away.

Jennifer stared at his retreating figure, her jaw tight, fists clenched. After a moment’s hesitation, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number she hadn’t touched in ages.

“Hannah?” The voice on the other end lit up with surprise. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work right now? I wasn’t expecting a call from you. What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

“I’m fine,” Jennifer said. “It’s Teresa. She’s in trouble.”

“Teresa?” Evelyn’s voice was sharp. “What happened to her?”

“She’s in trouble here in Nareigh. She’s not doing well at all,” Jennifer said. “Look, she needs to stay with you in Gorthany for a while. But she won’t listen to me. So, we’re going to make her. Here’s what we’ll do…”

Jennifer laid out her plan. Evelyn listened, then said, “Hannah, this isn’t right. You know how Teresa gets when people lie to her.”

“So you’d rather just let her struggle in Nareigh? Raising Michael alone while pregnant with another kid?” Jennifer shot back.

“Pregnant? What are you talking about, Hannah? Teresa’s pregnant? Who’s the father? It’s Jonathan’s again, isn’t it?” Evelyn asked in surprise.

“I’ll fill you in later,” Jennifer cut her off. “Right now, Teresa needs to get out of Nareigh. Just do exactly what I say.”

She paused, the word feeling foreign on her tongue. “Mom.”

Evelyn was stunned into silence. “Hannah, you…”

Jennifer’s grip on her phone tightened. “Mom, this is for Teresa’s own good. For all of us. Just trust me on this. Call her and say what I told you to. I’m sending you her medical report now.” With that, she hung up.

Once Hayden’s breathing had evened out in sleep, Werner slowly pushed himself up from the floor.

Jonathan had handled everything–hiring the caregivers, managing the endless paperwork, all of it. He watched Werner get up but said nothing.

“Jonathan.” Gary walked in, eyes bloodshot and swollen.

Werner moved toward him, his face a mask of fatherly concern. “What’s wrong? Were you crying?”

Gary’s stare could’ve cut glass. “Back off. Not your problem.” Werner’s jaw clicked shut.

Gary turned back to Jonathan. “I need to talk to you. Can you come outside for a second?”

Jonathan checked on Hayden’s sleeping form, gave a quick nod, and walked out. Gary followed closely behind him.

Werner frowned as he watched them go. He thought, ‘What’s so damn important they can’t say it in front of me?’

In the hallway, Gary came clean. He told Jonathan everything–how he’d confronted Jennifer and confirmed she was the one who’d told Hayden all the family secrets.

“Do you understand why she’d do it, Jonathan?” Gary asked. “Why would she tell Grandpa right now, of all times?”

“How would I know? Just say it.” Jonathan patted Gary’s shoulder.

Gary felt sick to his stomach. He let out a sigh, the burden of his secret almost too much to bear. “Okay, so–”