Chapter 10 - BROOKE AND JACOB
Brooke agreed to meet Jacob alone.
Neutral social-services office.
A counselor present.
No Dylan.
No Chloe.
She began with anger.
“You ruined everything.”
Jacob nodded.
“I walked into a restaurant.”
“You exposed me.”
“I said your name.”
“You knew what would happen.”
“No.”
That stopped her.
Jacob genuinely did not know Dylan believed her father dead.
He came to warn Chloe and confront Brooke privately if possible.
The public recognition happened because Victoria—no, Brooke—was standing there.
Then Jacob asked:
“Why did you say I died?”
Brooke answered:
“Because people stop asking questions.”
A dead father needs no address.
No job.
No Christmas plan.
No explanation for homelessness.
Then Jacob asked:
“Did you hate me?”
Brooke cried.
“Yes.”
He accepted it.
“And?”
“And I loved you.”
Harder.
Then:
“I hated that you made every moral choice cost us something.”
Jacob said:
“I made some proud choices.”
That surprised her.
He admitted refusing the severance harmed the family.
He believed he was protecting integrity.
He never fully considered whether accepting payment while continuing to report lawful concerns might have been possible.
Principle and pride had mixed.
Then:
“I made your mother carry too much.”
Brooke looked down.
“I’m sorry.”
No dramatic reconciliation.
Then she said:
“I’m sorry I told people you were dead.”
Jacob nodded.
“That one I’ll take.”
May you like
A beginning.
Not absolution.
