"Miss Patterson, Arron is stable enough for us to move him," Dr. Lou said. "Give it two more days after the transfer, and he should be ready to wake from the coma."
"Thank you," Jennifer said.
She left the hospital and made her way to the garage. Sue and John were sitting at the bar counter, drinking. Sue's face lit up instantly.
"Jennifer! Oh my God, it's so nice to see you! When did you get into town?" Sue cheered, running over to hug her.
Jennifer hugged her back. "I heard about Arron and came as fast as I could. Did anyone find out who took him?"
John smiled, leaning back in his chair.
"Yes," he said. "We're working on finding them right now. But looks like the cops are getting involved, sticking their nose in 'family matters.'"
He stood and hugged Jennifer.
"You know," he added, "I wish you and Arron had stayed together. Too bad he's with Courtney now."
Jennifer lifted John's glass and took a sip.
Sue turned to make her a fresh drink and grab some food, leaving Jennifer and John alone for a moment.
John lowered his voice. "So… is the package far away from here yet?"
Jennifer let out a short laugh. "You owe me big time for this."
Matt overheard them from across the room.
He didn't step in.
He just shook his head, thinking John and Jennifer were up to something shady again.
---
Meanwhile, Courtney was at home making buffalo chicken garden salad and pork chops while Mark and I sat at the table doing homework.
Mark looked up at me with that soft smile. "I'll tell Courtney tonight that we're going to the school dance, so she can help us get everything ready."
I felt my face heat up. "Okay… but I don't really know how to dance."
Mark smiled wider. "That's okay."
Just then Courtney called us for dinner, but before we could get to the table, her phone rang. She checked the number and stepped away to answer.
"Hello?"
"Courtney, it's Steve."
She recognized the voice immediately. Detective Steve — her dad's best friend — someone who'd known her and Mark since they were little.
"We found a body," Steve said. "One of the men who took Arron. We're still searching for the second one."
Courtney's shoulders dropped as she exhaled. "Thank you. Keep me updated."
She hung up, forced a smile, and said, "Alright. Let's eat and talk about our day."
We all sat together. For a moment, it almost felt normal.
Mark told Courtney about asking me to the school dance, and Courtney cheered like it was the happiest news she'd had in weeks.
"That's adorable," she said. "I'll stop by the school tomorrow and pick up your tickets."
After dinner, Courtney gently pulled me aside.
"This is going to take a while," she said softly. "Finding Arron, I mean. So you'll be staying with us for now, okay?"
I nodded. "Okay… but Courtney?"
I swallowed hard.
"Why did John make Arron do those errands? Why doesn't John want me around?"
Courtney froze.
She looked at me like she knew she had to tell more of the truth — even if it hurt.
She took a deep breath.
"Katie… John is an asshole. He never cared for you, for Arron, or even for your real dad. Your mom and John were messing around right after you were born. John hates you because you remind him of your dad — his best friend — the man he betrayed."
I just stared at her.
The words cut deeper than I expected.
I quietly went back to the table to finish my homework, but my mind wasn't on the math problems.
All I could think about was Arron.
And my real dad.
And everything I never knew.
Did my dad start with the gang?
Was he part of this world too?
When I finally finished my homework, I crawled into bed and curled under Arron's blankets. My chest hurt with the weight of everything I'd learned.
I needed answers.
I needed Arron.
I needed my real family — not the lies John built around us.
I closed my eyes and hoped tomorrow would bring something different.
Something true.