Chapter 1424 - Incoming Changes (3)

JoAnna looked at Jeff kneeling in front of her, and her heart cracked. She can see that he is sorry, and she can see that he loves her, she never doubted that even though their definition of love is different.

JoAnna never saw Jeff lowering himself this much. But she was afraid that if she goes back now, nothing will change.

She loves him to pieces, but this love is suffocating her. The two of them are happy and focusing on each other when he is done with his work, and with the attacks to the White foundation, and with whatever takeover White corp. is doing, and when there are no bed climbers… but she can't survive on bits of happiness which trickle through the gaps because he is putting everything ahead of her. It's not enough.

Jeff didn't find a way to live his life with JoAnna by his side. She needs her husband, she needs to know that she is his priority not because she is asking for it, but because that is how things are.

She always knew that he is busy, but she hoped that he will learn to balance his work and private life, and that they will be standing side-by-side through everything. And this is not working.

JoAnna wanted to tell him all this, but the words were stuck in her throat and she was unable to form a word.

Jeff's sight was blurry due to the tears which pooled into his eyes as he watched JoAnna turn around and walk down the hallway until she disappeared to the right.

He curled up into a ball and silently wept while cursing himself.

Down the hallway…

JoAnna took the right turn and paused. She leaned against the wall and took a few deep breaths to compose herself. Her heart was aching, and her tears silently rolled down her cheeks.

"Anna?", Sarah called in a whisper before pulling her into a hug.

JoAnna was surprised that Sarah is here, she didn't notice her. JoAnna was relieved that Sarah is here because she really needed a hug.

Last night, when Aiden told Sarah that Jeff is coming, she was angry. Why did he tell him that JoAnna is here? She came for a breather, not to be found by Jeff after half a day!

But then Aiden told Sarah how last night he and Felix spoke with Jeff and that Jeff was a mess and that he really regrets everything and that he wants to fix things… and Sarah softened up.

Jeff arrived shortly after midnight and he slept in the hallway in front of the door of JoAnna's room because Aiden told him that he can come, with a condition that he can't disturb JoAnna. Aiden set up a drone to watch over Jeff to make sure Jeff does not cause a ruckus.

When Eve notified them that JoAnna exited the room and met with Jeff, Sarah started watching through Eve-vision and she came to be nearby, if needed. She believes that Jeff will not hurt JoAnna, but that does not mean that he will not upset her. And considering that JoAnna is pregnant, she should not get upset. And she is upset.

Back to the present…

"Oh, Sarah… I love him so much and it hurts to push him away... but I am afraid that if I forgive him easily, nothing will change…", JoAnna said through her sobs.

Sarah can see Jeff curled up in the hallway by looking with Eve-vision through the camera from the drone.

"Anna…", Sarah called and wiped JoAnna's tears away. "Do you want to give Jeff a chance or are you ready to cut him off?"

JoAnna sniffled. "Of course, I want to give him a chance."

"Why are you not giving it then? Why are you torturing yourself and him? Neither of you are kids to say that if you forgive him in ten minutes it will not be effective. And you don't need to put him through any trials for him to prove his love, you had too many of them already. Jeff messed up and he knows that. He said that he is sorry and that he is willing to do anything to fix it. He slept in the hallway so that he does not disturb you… and look at him now…", Sarah nudged JoAnna so that she can see down the hallway.

JoAnna inhaled a shaky breath at the sight of Jeff curled up on the floor and she put her palm over her mouth to suppress her sobs while her tears swelled again. That is the almighty Jeffrey White, reduced to almost nothing… because he is heartbroken. Just like she is.

JoAnna listened to Sarah without removing her gaze from Jeff.

"Anna, I know that you are reluctant to go to Jeff because you don't know what will fix this situation and you are afraid that you will settle for something that does not work, but you don't need a complete solution now. You love him, he loves you, and both of you desire a successful relationship. Start from there and take small steps. If you make a wrong one, go back and try again. No one has the full recipe for happiness. Marriage is a journey of two people who are willing to work for it. And if along the way you get stuck, not sure what to do, remember that you have sisters who are ready to support you in any way we can. Any good relationship takes a lot of work from both sides and if you love each other there is no valid reason to give up. Turning your back on him will not solve anything, but you are increasing the gap by leaving him with doubts and the fact that you abandoned him. Go to Jeff and tell him how you feel."

JoAnna nodded and took a step toward Jeff. And another, and another…

Jeff felt that someone is caressing his hair, but he thought how that is his scalp going numb.

"Jeff?", JoAnna called.

Jeff lifted his head and looked through the haze of his tears at JoAnna's face full of tears and snot and he never saw anything so beautiful in his life.

"Anna?", he called back weakly, like he is trying to confirm that it's really her.

Jeff reached with his hand slowly and touched her cheek with tips of his fingers. He confirmed that it's really her, squatting in front of him, but he didn't dare ask why she is back. What if she is crying because she wants to tell him to leave and never look for her again? His whole body jolted at the sudden pain in his chest.

JoAnna wiped his cheeks with her palms. "I don't know what will work, Jeff. But I am sure that together we can figure it out. As long as you don't give up on me, I will not give up on you."

Jeff stared at JoAnna while processing her words. It took him some time to respond. "Give up on you? I will never do that."

Jeff wiped his nose with the back of his palm and pulled JoAnna into a hug. He held her slightly sideways in order not to squish her belly, but even with that, it was the best hug ever. The feeling of her body against his, and her arms around him… he was sure that he never felt anything so soothing in his life.

"Together…", he whispered. "I promise that I will listen and hear you."

Sarah looked at JoAnna and Jeff sitting on the floor and holding each other, and sighed.

"Let's give them privacy…", Aiden's voice sounded behind Sarah.

Sarah smiled before turning to look at Aiden. Sarah came here for JoAnna, and she knows that Aiden is here for her. Her husband is always by her side. "Hungry?"

"Starving…", he responded and led the way to the dining room.

In the hallway…

Bridgette exited the bedroom and her steps halted at the sight of JoAnna and Jeff sitting on the floor and holding each other while sobbing on each other's shoulders.

She was worried about JoAnna, so she didn't call Steve. She got ready quickly and rushed out to meet JoAnna in the dining room and she didn't expect to see something like this.

Bridgette left the door open and walked toward them.

She lightly touched Jeff's shoulder and said awkwardly: "Uhm… You can move to that room…"

Jeff lifted his head and saw Bridgette gesturing toward the open door.

He nodded in acknowledgment at Bridgette before scooping JoAnna in his arms and carrying her into the guest bedroom.

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