A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 181

Jocelyn's anger flared in an instant. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh, am I wrong?" Jude's voice dripped with mockery. "I heard every word of your little scheme just now. Don't tell me you're not trying to worm your way between Elvis and Winona? What a pity—your mother carried herself like a lady, yet this is the daughter she raised."

"Enough!" Jackson's face darkened with fury. "Clearly, dinner is off the table tonight."

He should have known better than to hope he could smooth things over between them.

"Couldn't agree more. You really shouldn't have asked me here in the first place. Guess it's just me, the lowly bastard child, ruining the refined evening for the proper heirs."

With a lazy, mocking bow, Jude turned on his heel and sauntered out without a second glance.

That left only Jackson and Jocelyn in the private dining room.

"Don't waste your time, Jackson," Jocelyn spat, voice trembling with rage. "I will never consider that bastard family. Have you forgotten how that woman strutted into our lives, humiliating Mother? Now her son thinks he can be our brother? Over my dead body."

Jackson was silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "You're right. I won't try something this pointless again."

"Glad to hear it."

Jocelyn had lost her appetite entirely. She spun on her heel, heading for the door, but paused at the threshold. Her voice was low and cold as she said, "Jackson, think carefully about what I told you. You only get one shot at life. If you don't go after what you truly want, what's the point of living?"

With that, she strode away, the click of her heels echoing down the hall, never looking back.

Alone now, Jackson slumped in his chair, a rare trace of helplessness flickering across his features.

She was right. Life only comes once.

Shouldn't he try, just this once, to fight for what he wanted?

Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, Jocelyn paused and glanced back over her shoulder.

She couldn't be sure her brother would follow her advice.

***

It was still early. Jeremiah suggested they hit a bar nearby and have some fun.

Winona didn't object, and Elvis went along without protest.

As soon as they stepped inside, Jeremiah dove straight into the dance floor, throwing himself into a wild tangle with a blonde in a tight dress. His moves were a mess, but that didn't stop him from waving at them every few seconds.

Elvis rolled his eyes and looked away, clearly embarrassed for his friend.

Winona, on the other hand, found it all rather entertaining. She waved back at Jeremiah and turned to Elvis. "You two couldn't be more different—hard to imagine you're friends."

"We've known each other since we were kids," Elvis replied with a smile. "Matriarch Whitlock and my grandmother were best friends. Whenever they got together for tea, they'd drag Jeremiah and me along. After a while, we just got used to each other."

Of course, at first, it was all one-sided. Jeremiah would chatter away about anything and everything, never mind how cold I was to him. He'd still pull me into his games and never seemed to take offense.