Rachel Wakes Up
Chapter 08 - Rachel Wakes Up
Rachel opened her eyes on Tuesday morning.
Jax was there.
Lily was asleep in a chair.
Ethan had gone with Helen for breakfast.
For several seconds, Rachel stared at the ceiling.
Then she turned.
Her eyes found Jax.
"You came."
Jax almost laughed.
"You sent an eight-year-old to find me."
A weak smile appeared.
"He always follows instructions."
Jax's eyes filled.
"Rachel."
"I know."
"Sixteen years."
"I know."
He wanted to be angry.
He couldn't.
Not yet.
"Did Martin push you?"
Rachel's smile disappeared.
She looked toward Lily.
"Is she asleep?"
"Yes."
Rachel closed her eyes.
"We argued."
"About the insurance?"
Rachel looked surprised.
"You know."
"Some of it."
Rachel slowly told him.
Martin had discovered she was planning to leave.
He demanded access to Lily's remaining money.
Rachel refused.
They argued near the stairs.
Martin grabbed her wrist.
Rachel pulled away.
She lost her balance.
"Did he push you?"
Rachel stared at Jax.
"I don't know."
It wasn't the answer he expected.
"He grabbed me. I pulled away."
"So it might have been an accident."
"The fall might have been."
Rachel's voice weakened.
"But everything before it wasn't."
Jax understood.
Martin had created the danger even if he hadn't deliberately pushed her.
Rachel began crying.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For Lily."
Jax looked toward the sleeping girl.
"You should've told me."
"I tried."
"Caleb lied."
"I know."
"You could've tried again."
Rachel's tears continued.
"I was ashamed."
"Of what?"
"That I believed him."
Jax softened.
Rachel continued.
"Then years passed."
"That doesn't explain everything."
"No."
She looked at him.
"It doesn't."
Jax appreciated the answer.
No excuses.
No perfect explanation.
Just regret.
Rachel reached for his hand.
"I don't expect you to forgive me."
Jax looked at her fingers around his.
"I don't know what I expect either."
Then Lily stirred.
Her eyes opened.
She saw her mother awake.
"Mom?"
Everything else disappeared.
Lily ran to the bed.
Rachel opened her arms.
Mother and daughter cried together.
Jax stepped back.
He was about to leave when Rachel called his name.
"Jax."
He turned.
She looked at Lily.
Then at him.
"There's one more thing you need to know."
May you like
Jax waited.
"Lily's account wasn't the first money Martin stole."
