She decided to just pull off the Band-Aid. “I’m moving back in until you get the all clear.”

“I don’t want you to,” Gretchen whined. Her eyes were wide like she was only a second from a full-blown panic attack. “If you move in and stay, I’m just going to get hurt.”

Jax wanted to scream about the ways they had already hurt each other, but she needed to avoid an argument. She shook off her aggravation. “It’s for Caleb, not you. You need to be the best version of yourself for him, and the only way that can happen is if our family is together.”

“Please, Jax.” Gretchen’s eyes filled with tears. “Please don’t do this to me,” she pleaded, so loudly her voice broke.

Jax needed to stay rational through the pain. Whatever Gretchen was so afraid of, it was her duty to make it go away. “Amanda will stay with you while I’m at work or if I need a break.”

“Or if you need a break from Jax.” Amanda stepped up to Gretchen and started rubbing her back. Gretchen started to sob.

“It’ll be for the best. I promise.” Jax stood back as Gretchen cried harder. Why was she doubting her promise, and why did it feel like she’d just sentenced Gretchen to a punishment worse than life in the hospital?

Chapter Twenty-eight

23 days, 14 hours, 58 minutes

Jax unpacked her duffel bag and started filling the dresser drawers with her clothes. She felt like she was in a foreign land even though she had picked out the furniture for the guest bedroom. She had never expected to use it, and now she hated herself for making decisions based on design and not practicality. She’d have to use the dresser and closet just for the few things she thought to bring along. Everything else could stay at her apartment for the time being.

She stopped moving and listened for Caleb, making sure he wasn’t getting into too much trouble while she tried to settle in. She heard the TV and his giggles. She opened the closet and pulled the chain for the dim light to start hanging her work shirts and sweaters. She was shocked to see Gretchen hadn’t taken over the spare closet, but then she remembered Gretchen now had the whole master walk-in closet to herself.