The forgotten heir

ust beginning to rise over the city skyline. He gripped th

Was Rachel hurt

as her grandmother. What

she sounde

ce. Guilt crawled up his chest. He should have answered her calls. Ten

epped out and hurried inside. The lobby was buzzing with nu

rms folded, brows furrowed, and her

called, jog

y, her face a mix

ou so long?"

d," Jesse replied gently. "A

voice rising. "You can't even do the simplest things right. If any

words, but he swallowed the pain. She was ang

d softly. "You were

o pull her into a comfortin

e," she snappe

ill midair, before letting

into his arms. "Come with me. We're going to see Grandma. Everyone's h

ed. "Al

r been about love. Rachel's grandfather had once been in danger-a medical emergency Jesse had helped treat when no one else could. The old

r forgiven him

or, unemployed at the time, and always seen as not good enough. Even though he had spent year

ashame

room, and Jesse paused. H

n't bee

ne was

e seated, some standing, all with expressi

oticed so

sive suit that looked like it had never known a wrinkle. He was

e was R

. He walked straight to her and pul

low and gentle. "It's going to b

n pulled away slightly and gave a

ond had always been around, waiting in the shadows, always the one everyone preferred for Rache

er grandmother's room, leaving

steps toward him, h

show up," Raymond said, h

he called me," Je

est, Jesse. You're a joke. Always have been. You married into this family like

jaw. "You don't kno

job. No place in the family. You think a few books and m

, hoping someone might speak up. Defend him. But the f

eed with

r, Victor, said as he entered the room. His v

," Jesse said, tr

Raymond's here now. A real man. And soon, he'll take

in with mutt

ve staye

ays been

deserves

t have words to fight them. They'

ay to the hospital room door. Rachel was standing beside

said softly, "

sharply. "Why ar

on her. Maybe I can help. I

laugh. "Help? You? You th

till, stung.

" she snapped. "Yo

t as the tension th

ook. "Doctor's here," he announced,

ward the door, giving spa

if frozen in time. Around him, the world moved on.

ame feeling from the night before. A flicker. A

se said

rned away an