Interview

As I stood there, the weight of frustration settling upon my shoulders, I realized that I had no choice but to accept Jackson's offer to drive me to the hospital. The irony of the situation was not lost on me. I was relying on the person I least expected to help me in my time of need.

I turned to him. "Fine, Jackson. I'll accept your offer. But don't think for a second that this changes anything between us."

He nodded, his expression a mix of understanding and something else I couldn't quite decipher. "I don't expect it to, Emma. Just let me handle this for now. We can sort out our differences later."

I followed him back to his sleek Ferrari, a stark reminder of the stark contrast between our lives. I slid into the passenger seat, my fingers gripping the edge of the seat, my knuckles turning white.

The silence inside the car was deafening, each passing moment filled with unspoken tension. The engine purred to life, a stark contrast to the sputtering mess that was my own vehicle. As we drove through the streets of Ridgeton, my eyes were fixed on the passing scenery, the familiar landmarks of my hometown now tainted by the bitterness that lingered in my heart.

A cloud of smoke billowed from the exhaust pipe of my old beat-up Ford, serving as a constant reminder of the disparity between our lives. The contrast was almost comical, if it weren't for the underlying resentment that simmered within me.

Jackson broke the silence, his voice filled with an unusual mix of concern and guilt. "Emma, I know you're angry..."

I didn't let him finish, because I felt as if he was mocking me, as he tried to stop laughing as he looked att my car.

"You don't know me. You don't know how I'm feeling," I crossed my arms.

"Emma, you have every right to be indifferent. But I want you to know that I never intended for things to turn out this way. I left for my own reasons, but I never stopped caring about you."

I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze, my focus fixated on the passing road. "Well, caring from a distance isn't much of a consolation, Jackson. I had to rebuild my life, pick up the pieces you left behind. And now, here we are, forced together by a twist of fate."

He let out a heavy sigh, the weight of regret evident in his voice. "I'm sorry, Emma. I truly am. But let me make it right. Let me help you."

The bitterness rose within me, threatening to spill over. I couldn't deny the part of me that still longed for his presence, his touch, but I refused to let it overpower my anger and pride. "Help me? Like you helped me by leaving? Like you helped me by shattering everything we had?"

His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and longing. "I can't change the past, Emma. But I can be here for you now. Let me make it up to you."

I glanced at him, the intensity in his eyes reflecting the turmoil within my own heart. For a moment, I considered his offer, the temptation of his presence threatening to break down the walls I had carefully constructed. But I couldn't allow myself to be swayed so easily.

"You can't fix everything, Jackson," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Some things are broken beyond repair."

The rest of the drive was shrouded in silence, the weight of unspoken words lingering between us. As we reached the hospital, I stepped out of the car, a mix of gratitude and resentment swirling within me.

"Thanks for the ride," I said, my voice cold and distant. "I'll figure the rest out on my own."

He watched me intently, his eyes searching for any hint of forgiveness or acceptance. But all I could offer him was a curt nod before turning away, determined to face my uncertain future alone.

Inside the hospital, I couldn't shake off the lingering ache in my chest, the remnants of a love I had tried so hard to bury. As I walked through the halls, the familiar scent of antiseptic and the sounds of beeping machines surrounding me, I couldn't help but wonder if I had made the right choice.

As I entered the interview room, my heart pounded in my chest, a mix of anticipation and self-doubt filling the air. The questions came at me like rapid-fire bullets, testing my knowledge, my skills, and my determination.

In that moment, I made a silent vow to myself. I would succeed in this new chapter of my life, not just for myself, but for Ava. I would prove to her that she had a strong, resilient mom who could conquer any challenge that came her way.

And as I faced the panel of interviewers, my eyes flickered with a newfound determination. I would seize this opportunity, rebuild my life, and leave the shadows of the past behind me.