Chapter 8

Jordan’s POV

The car rolled up to a stop in front of the mansion, a place I hadn’t seen in months. As the gates slid open and I pulled in the driveway, a familia scent drifted through the window—the fresh fragrance of lillies and roses from my mother’s garden.

I stepped out and let the night air settle around me. Everything looked the same, yet the house felt strangely empty, like a grand stage without actors.

I walked towards the garden, drawn in by the flowers, my mother adored. Plucking a few lillies, I brought them to my nose, inhaling deeply. They smell just like they did when I was a child—soft, pure, untouched by time.

The moment of quiet didn’t last.

“Surpriseeee!”

The house lit up in an instant. Laughter, clapping, and the voices of familiar faces filled the space. My mother, my sister, my bestfriend, and a few others stood before me, smiling.

Nate was the first to reach me, a grin splitting his face. “Didn’t think you’d drag your ass back here.”

I chuckled, shaking my head as we embraced. “Yeah well, someone had to keep you from running the company into the ground.”

Nate smirked, “you mean, someone had to drag you back before you became a ghost.”

Before I could respond, my mother stepped forward, her warm eys scanning my face. “You’re home.”

Her voice softened something in me. The tension in my shoulders, the weight I hadn’t even realized I was carrying, eased just a little.

“Yeah,” I murmured. “I’m home.”

Phoebe, my sister, tackled me in a hug. “Finally! Do you know how hard it was keeping this a secret? Mom made me swear.”

I raised a brow at my mother. “You planned this?”

She smiled knowingly, “you wouldn’t have come if I told you.”

She wasn’t wrong, if I had known they’d be a welcome party, i probably would’ve found an excuse to push my return to another day.

I glanced around, the decorations were simple but elegant—white and gold balloons, fairy lights casting a warm glow along the walls. A cake on the table read ‘welcome home, Jordan.’ it wasn't extravagant, it was personal.

It was exactly what I needed, even if I wouldnt admit it.

Nate clapped me on the back. “Well, since you're here, I hope you're ready to answer a lot of questions about your disappearance.”

I smirked. “Disappearance? I was working not hiding in the mountains.”

He shrugged. “Still some people missed you.”

My mother's gaze fell to the lilies in my hand. “Are those for me?”

I handed them to her, watching as she cradled them gently, inhaling their fragrance.

“My sweet boy,” she said with a nostalgic smile. “Still the same as always.”

She guestured towards the dinning table. “Come, sit. You must be hungry.”

We gathered around as the maids served us, the conversation flowing easily—until my mother steered it in a direction I wasn't ready for.

“How’s Ivy?” she asked, her fork hovering mid-air.

I kept my expression neutral. “She’s fine. She decided to stay in the states.”

She gave a curt nod. “And the wedding? Have you both set a date?”

I set my glass down a little too hard. My appetite vanished. “Mom, not now.”

“What do you mean, not now?” her tone sharpened. “Youre old enough, you should be married by now.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Is that why you wanted to see me? To pressure me into something I don't want?”

Mt mother’s expression tightened. “Something you don't want? Jordan, you're engaged!”

“And I called it off, okay?”

Silence evenloped the room.

I pushed my chair back, stood, and adjusted my tie. “I’m done here.”

Without waiting for a response I strode to the garden, needing space. The cool night air was a relief.

Nate followed, his footsteps crunching against the gravel. “Hey man, you good?”

I let out a humourless chuckle. “Nah, I need a whiskey.”

“Or we could hit the bar, get drunk, and fuck our way out of this mood.” he gave me a nudge, but when I didn't laugh, he sobered. “Talk to me.”

I exhaled, raking a hand through my hair. “Its a long story, man.”

“We’ve got time.”

I hesitated then sighed. “I ran out of patience, Nate. I was struggling to keep up, working insane hours, only to come home and find Ivy on our bed with another guy.”

“Jesus.”

“I know we weren't married yet, but damn, she knew how I felt about her. It fucked me up.” My jaw clenched. “After that, I couldn't take her seriously. Every time we were together, it was just… rough, meaningless. Like I was punishing her, punishing myself.”

Nate shook his head. “I feel you, brother. But it gets better. One day, you'll find someone who actually deserves you.”

I scoffed, “right.”

But then, my mind drifted—unintensionally to her.

Brittney.

A small smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it.

Nate caught it instantly, he narrowed his eyes. “Why are you smiling?”

“Im not.”

“You are.” his gaze turned calculating. “Wait…… don't tell me….”

“Tell you what?”

He smirked. “There is a woman, isn't there?”

I rolled my eyes, “so now everytime I smile, it has to be about a woman?”

“Uh, yeah. Investments don't make you smile like that.” He studied me, so who’s she? A new assistant? Only assistants get close enough for you to catch feelings.”

“It’s nothing, Nate. Drop it.”

“Oh, I will—eventually. But not before I find out who’s got my man’s heart.”

I sighed, shaking my head. “She’s not new….remember Brittney? From high school?”

His eyes widened. “You’re joking.”

I smirked, “I’m not.”

Nate looked at me like I had just grown second head. “So let me get this straight…. Brittney? The same girl you ignored all through high school?”

“I didn’t ignore her,” I defended. “I just….. acted like I didn’t notice how she felt.”

He scoffed. “Same damn thing.”