Jackson hung his head. His jaw clenched and he rolled his shoulders twice as if seeking release of pent-up rage. When he looked up at David, the resentment in his eyes stole Cat’s breath. “Don’t pretend to care so much about me after the way you betrayed my trust.”
“Betrayed you?” David’s brows shot straight up. “When did I ever betray you?”
“When Mom died.” Jackson’s voice ripped from his throat. “You should’ve been here, mourning with us.” Jackson gestured to Cat then back to himself. “But you had your big career to manage and your stupid fight with Dad, so you took off for Hong Kong and barely talked to any of us for eighteen months. You still don’t trust me enough to share whatever’s going on between you and Dad, but I don’t even give a shit anymore.
“I always looked up to you, counted on you, even tried to compete with you. I thought we shared a special bond. But you left when I needed you most. You completely shut me out, so don’t pretend to be on my side now.”
Cat glanced at Vivi, who’d smothered a gasp with her hand. David’s mouth had fallen open. His eyes reflected deep shock and remorse. Cat held her breath, wondering if David would finally tell them about that disagreement.
“Jackson, I’ve apologized for how I handled that time in our lives. My reasons had nothing to do with you or my career.” David glanced at Vivi and shook his head in warning, which meant she knew the truth. Who knew Vivi had been keeping so many secrets this past year? David’s voice dragged Cat’s attention back to the present. “It may not seem like it, but I was acting in everyone’s best interest. I made a promise to keep that issue between Dad and me, and I won’t break the promise. I’m sorry I can’t explain better, and I’m very sorry you felt abandoned. It never occurred to me that you or Cat needed me. You both had Dad, you had each other, and you had Alison at the time.”
“Alison? Ha!” Darkness flashed through Jackson’s eyes at the mention of his ex. “Another traitor.”
“What did she do?” Cat asked, surprised by Jackson’s venomous tone.
“She . . .” He closed his eyes, shuddering at a memory, and snarled, “She stole something irreplaceable. I don’t want to hear her name again. Not ever.”
“I never liked her.” Vivi’s gentle voice entered the fray.
Jackson snapped his head toward Vivi.
“She was selfish.” Vivi rose from the sofa and slowly approached Jackson. “I never said anything because I thought you loved her. Tell me what she stole.”
Cat held her breath, unsure of what would happen next. Jackson stood still, shaking his head as if at war with himself, unable to resist the onslaught of Vivi’s odd combination of empathy and vulnerability.
A fresh wave of tears filled Vivi’s eyes as she reached out to hold his arm. “Jackson, please. I love you like the brother I lost when I was six. You watched me struggle through all these years with my dad’s drinking. Don’t make me suffer through losing you to the bottle, too. Stop being defensive. Be objective. Hank’s hurt, your business is at risk, and we’re all concerned. Something has to change.”
Undaunted by the typical St. James reserve, Vivi wrapped her arms around Jackson’s motionless body. Her face pinched as if she were debating with herself, then she closed her eyes and softly stated, “I’m pregnant, Jackson. I want this baby to know and love you like I do. Don’t make me afraid to let you be part of our child’s life. Please. Let us help.”
Cat stopped breathing. She glanced at David and mouthed, “Pregnant?” He nodded, looking torn about how the news came out, then redirected his attention back to Jackson and Vivi.
Stunned, Cat swallowed a bitter mix of joy and jealousy, which burned going down, like too-hot coffee.
Obviously the announcement hadn’t been planned. Vivi acted on emotion and instinct, and from the change in Jackson’s posture, she’d been effective. But still, she’d totally blindsided Cat, whom Vivi had to know would be especially sensitive to pregnancy news.
Later. Cat shook her head and refocused on the scene unfolding in the kitchen.
Tears welled in Jackson’s eyes. He pulled back and looked at her stomach, his voice choked. “You’re pregnant, V?”
She nodded and sniffled. Jackson glanced at David. “How long have you known?”
“Just found out two days ago.” David remained leaning against the door, watching Vivi worm her way beneath Jackson’s defenses.
Jackson’s face crumpled. He glanced at Cat.
The full weight of his empathy settled on her shoulders. But something else flickered in his eyes, too. Something painful.