Page 108 of Under Southern Stars
Jack: I should have told you everything from the beginning. I was wrong and I'm sorry. No excuses. Iunderstand if you need space. Just please let me know you're safe.
Simple. Direct. No justifications.
I show the message to Madison, watching her reaction.
“See?” she says after reading it. “He knows he messed up.”
“Knowing and doing something about it are different things,” I point out.
“True.” She hands back my phone. “But at least he’s not making excuses like Dad always does.”
Again, the comparison to Troy gives me pause. Jack had deceived me, yes. But there is a fundamental difference in how he is handling the aftermath—with responsibility rather than deflection.
With cold fingers, I type a response:
Sophia: At Lake Wanaka with Madison. We're safe. Need time to think.
His reply comes immediately:
Jack: Thank you. Take all the time you need. We'll be here when you're ready.
We. His family. The McKenzies. The dynasty I’d unwittingly stepped into.
“What did he say?” Madison asks, peering over my shoulder.
“That we should take all the time we need.”
She nods approvingly. “That’s good. Not pushy.”
I tuck my phone away and stand, brushing sand from my jeans. “We should head back soon if we want to reach the estate before dark.”
“Does this mean you’re going to give him a chance to explain?” Madison asks, hope evident in her voice.
“It means I’m going to listen,” I say carefully. “That’s all I can promise right now.”
She seems satisfied with that. As we walk back to the car, I feel oddly calm. The tears I’d held back in Madison’s presence will have to wait, but her perspective has provided something valuable—a reminder that behind the deception is a man who has brought genuine happiness into our lives.
Jack had deceived me, yes. But is it the end? I don’t know yet.
