PHOENIX

48

Jackson sat quietly, letting Melissa's words settle over him.

Roy had always been the real battle.

The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the kitchen wall.

After a long moment, Jackson exhaled.

"You know," he said, "meeting Matthew yesterday changed something."

Melissa looked at him curiously.

"What?"

"I've spent months convincing myself everyone around your father is just like him."

She didn't interrupt.

"But Matt isn't."

"No."

"And Max..."

Melissa tilted her head.

"What about Max?"

Jackson shrugged.

"I still don't trust him."

Melissa laughed.

"I don't blame you."

"But even he hesitated that day."

Melissa's smile faded.

"The day at the party?"

Jackson nodded.

"He could've dragged me straight to your father."

"He could ha