Chapter 49

Jamie, an artist who spent his days painting at home, was no match for Nevin. When Nevin punched him, Jamie's face contorted, and a tooth flew out, rolling to my feet. I reacted instantly, grabbing Nevin. "Are you crazy? Stop it!"

"Get off me! You all set me up!" Nevin's bloodshot eyes betrayed his rage. He violently shook me off, balling his fists to strike Jamie again. I stumbled, crashing into a table, pain lancing my lower back.

This time, Jamie was ready. He seized Nevin's wrist, shouting, "Why don't you come at me instead? What kind of man hits a woman?!"

"You're defending her! Are you two involved? No wonder she keeps yelling about divorcing my brother—it's because of you!" Nevin's accusations flew, unrestrained.

"You jerk!" Jamie roared, punching Nevin squarely in the face. The impact echoed louder than the first, and Nevin recoiled, clutching his face. As I regained my composure, I saw him spit out two teeth.

A brawl was imminent when others intervened. I'm unsure who called the police, but the three of us ended up at the station. Reluctantly, I called my cousin Stanley, and Hayden was also brought in.

Through the glass, I saw Stanley, in a dark gray suit and gold-rimmed glasses, negotiating with the officers. He sighed deeply, "Great, my brother's definitely going to chew me out later…"

Stanley and I were from the same side of the family. My father inherited the family wealth; his father left years ago to pursue his dreams, returning only years later with Stanley. He showed little interest in the family business, so few knew about his branch of the Jacksons.

My father and his never got along. We interacted little as children, becoming familiar only as adults. When I married Hayden, Stanley vehemently opposed it, though he always appeared when I needed him, as he did today.

Jamie, nursing a face pack, followed my gaze. "You think so? He seems so refined."

"You have no idea! Refined types can be the scariest!" I shook my head, attending to the scratches on his arm. Without thinking, I grabbed alcohol and cotton swabs to clean his wounds. We were friends; helping him felt natural.

Nevin, however, noticed. Seeming to sense a weakness, he shouted at Hayden, "Bro! Look! Yvonne's in cahoots with Jamie! They're trying to take me down!" Having lost teeth and been reprimanded by Hayden, he sought to shift his brother's focus.

Hayden didn't look back, his expression grim. "You still think this isn't enough trouble?"

Nevin deflated. "They attacked me first…"

"Who told you to hit them?" Hayden's confident confrontation filled the air with intensity.

Nevin hung his head, speechless. Hayden's gaze found Yvonne tending to Jamie's injuries. Yvonne gently blew on Jamie's wound. Hayden felt a strange irritation, a dark, brooding look in his eyes. Since returning, Yvonne had been cold or argumentative towards him, yet she treated other men with such care. Had she forgotten who her husband was?

Stanley entered. "How's the injury? Need to see a doctor?"

Jamie stood. "It's nothing serious, just lost a tooth. But I think Yvonne got hurt too."

Surprised, I shook my head. "I'm fine, just bumped my waist. What did you tell the police?"

Stanley studied me. "Nevin's committed intentional harm twice. The chances of a successful lawsuit just went way up." Nevin had dug himself deeper into trouble.

Jamie sighed in relief. Hayden approached. "Are you hurt?" I was shocked; shouldn't he be concerned about his brother?

Jamie scoffed. "You actually care about Yvonne? It was your stupid brother who started this!"

"Who are you calling stupid?" Nevin lunged, but Hayden's cold glare stopped him.

"Apologize to Yvonne," Hayden said quietly.

Stanley intervened. "Mr. Nevin, I represent Yvonne in suing you for defamation. A lawyer's letter will arrive tomorrow."

"What did I defame her about? She's a married woman dining with other men! If she can't behave, how can she expect not to be talked about?!" Nevin exploded.

I thought of Hayden's welcome party with Joanna. No one called him a married man for being with another woman. Nevin had even been thrilled about a new sister-in-law.

In the heavy silence, Hayden slapped Nevin. The sharp sound brought an eerie stillness.