Chapter 41

Sitting with the girls, Jackson comes back, clearly upset and on edge. Instantly, my heart falls. Is Helen really ill? He can’t lose his Mum as well! After everything we have been through, surely we deserve some happiness, without heartbreak?

“Alena, can you come with me, please.” Jackson walks upstairs. I follow closely behind, my mind praying to Jesus that he will not give me devastating news. We walk into his office. Sitting down, I stay quiet, waiting for him to talk.

“She has congestive heart failure.” His words are painful. I’m unable to move, unable to comfort him. I just sit. I don’t even know what it is, but anything bad to do with the heart is not good.

“Don’t tell Liam or Georgina. Actually, don’t tell anyone.” He gets up. I watch as he walks out the door, still sitting there, frozen. What does it mean? I wouldn’t tell Liam or Georgina, but I don’t know anything about it.

Reluctantly, I move off the bed and walk downstairs. Jackson is like he