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Mia’s jaas tighter than a drum "Fine Whatever"

It was her mother’s turn to look hurt Without another word, Brenda aardly adjusted the strap of her bulky leather purse and left the apartment

The moment the door closed, Mia’s face collapsed

"C’ labored as she buried her head in his chest

Jackson hugged her tight and stroked her hair, his heart splitting in then he felt her tears soaking his bare skin In the two months he’d known her, he’d never seen Mia break down like this If he could’ve taken away her pain and transferred it all on himself, he would’ve done it in a nanosecond, but all he could do was hold her close and offer gruff words of comfort

Mia lifted her head to reveal tearstained cheeks and red-riain? She’s done so e already--why can’t she just leave us alone?"

Jackson led her over to the couch, where he pulled her into his lap and wrapped his aronna say sohly, "but I want you to hear ht?"

She nodded weakly

He paused, knowing he had to tread very carefully "Have you considered that maybe your mother’s motives are sincere?"

Bitterness splashed across her face "They’re not She has an agenda"

"How can you be certain of that?"

"Because she always has an agenda I don’t knohat she’s up to this ti sincere about that woman The only person she’s ever cared about is herself"

He tenderly tucked a strand of hair behind Mia’s ear "What if you’re wrong?"

"I’htly

"All I’m sayin’ is, e, Mia So look at their lives and realize how much their mistakes have cost ’em" He sed "At the end of the day, faot Family, and love"

"Oh really?"

He suddenly found a pair of shrewd green eyes focused on him

"Why are you lookin’ at me like that?"