Say Less I Love You Episode 9

Chapter 90

Jacob

I stab at my steak, the knife scraping against the china with an irritating screech. The tension at the dinner table is palpable, matching my foul mood. My parents exchange glances, clearly noticing my brooding silence.

"Jacob, dear, what's troubling you?" my mom asks, her voice laced with concern.

I grunt in response, shoving a piece of meat into my mouth. The last thing I want is to discuss my feelings with them.

Father clears his throat. "You've barely touched your food. Is something the matter at work?"

Before I can deflect, Trixa pipes up, "Actually, it might have something to do with Nyla losing her job recently."

My head snaps up, eyes narrowing at Trixa. She continues, oblivious to my glare, "As a board member, I'm privy to operations and staff turnover. It seems Nyla was terminated for cause."

My mom’s eyebrows shoot up. "For cause? But wasn't she a good nurse?"

I clench my jaw, the guilt I've been trying to suppress bubbling to the surface. "I fired her," I admit through gritted teeth.

"You what?" Father's voice booms across the table. "Why on earth would you do that?"

I drop my fork with a clatter. "Because I was angry, alright? I found her with Kevin Shaw and I... I overreacted."

"Jacob, you jealous prick," Julia seethes, jumping out of her seat and stomping out.

My mother responds calmly, “Well, she has the right to move on.”

I stare at my mother, dumbfounded. The words that just left her mouth seem so foreign, I wonder if I've misheard. Hilda Stone, showing compassion for Nyla? It's as if the earth has suddenly decided to rotate backwards.

"Jacob, you and Trixa are happy and getting married. You should be okay with Nyla moving on.”

"You're right," I mutter, pushing my plate away. The smell of perfectly cooked steak suddenly turns my stomach. "I should be okay with it."

Trixa reaches for my hand, her diamond engagement ring catching the light. "It's just so sudden, don't you think?"

I pull away, unable to bear her touch. My mind races, replaying the scene at Nyla's apartment. Kevin, barely dressed. That damn sweater I gave her. The hurt in Nyla's eyes.

"We do have a responsibility to Nyla," she continues, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "You may not be marrying her, but at one point, you did love her. If she was a good nurse and valuable to the hospital, we should see if we can find another position for her."

I blink, trying to process this unexpected turn of events. "I guess you're right," I manage to stammer out. "I never thought you would say that."

A slight smile plays at the corners of her lips. "I'm not a monster, Jacob."

The tension in my shoulders eases slightly, but a nagging doubt lingers in the back of my mind. This is the same woman who, not long ago, was plotting to remove Nyla from my life entirely. What's changed?

"That's... surprisingly thoughtful of you, mom," I say, unable to keep the skepticism from my voice. "But why the sudden change of heart?"

She takes a sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving mine. "People can surprise you, Jacob. Perhaps I've realized that my previous approach was... misguided."

Trixa shifts uncomfortably beside me. "But Hilda, surely you don't think-"

"Trixa, dear," my mother interrupts smoothly, "sometimes we must rise above our personal feelings for the greater good. The hospital's reputation is at stake here."

I lean back in my chair, studying my mother's face. There's something in her eyes, a glimmer of... what? Satisfaction? Triumph? It's gone before I can place it.

"Well," I say slowly, "if you're serious about this, I suppose we could look into positions at one of our satellite clinics. Keep her in the system without the... complications of her working directly under me."

"I'll ask around and see if we can get her another job so she can continue her grandfather's treatments," she concludes, her voice unnervingly calm.

Father's fork clatters against his plate. "Well, I'll be damned. Hilda, are you feeling alright?"

She shoots him a withering glare. "I'm perfectly fine, William. I simply believe in being practical." She nods approvingly. "I'm glad we're all in agreement. Now, shall we move on to dessert?"

As the maid brings in a tray of elaborately decorated pastries, I can't shake the feeling that something's off. My mom’s sudden change of heart is as unsettling as it is unexpected. But for now, I choose to focus on the relief that washes over me. Maybe, just maybe, I can make things right with Nyla after all.