Falling at 30,000 feets

"Mom?" Jane called out, staring at Eleanor in astonishment. The resemblance was undeniable-same dark eyes, same high cheekbones, even the way she held her head when nervous was exactly like Jayden's.

Eleanor froze on the staircase, one foot still on the step above, her fingers tightening around the hem of her silk dress until the fabric wrinkled. "J-Jane..." she stammered awkwardly, forcing a smile onto her face that looked more like a grimace. "What a... lovely surprise to see you here."

Jane slowly turned toward Jayden, the same stunned expression still lingering in her eyes. The file she'd been holding felt suddenly heavy in her hand. "Jayden... what are you doing here? "

Jayden opened his mouth, but no words came out. His mind raced through a dozen different lies, but none of them felt right-not now, not with her looking at him like that.

"I..." Eleanor began nervously, scratching the back of her head as she took a small step down the stairs. She looked toward Jayden helplessly, her eyes wide with panic-silently begging him to save the situation before she said something irreversible.

But Jayden himself was already panicking internally, his hands growing clammy as he tried to think of anything-anything-that could explain his presence in the chief pilot's home.

At that exact moment, Mr. Green suddenly stepped forward smoothly, his movements deliberate and calm as he positioned himself between Jane and the staircase.

"Linda," Mr. Green called out firmly toward Eleanor, using the name he'd picked out in that split second of clarity. His voice carried the authority of someone used to managing a household.

Eleanor blinked in confusion for a second, her gaze flicking from Mr. Green to Jayden and back again.

"Did you finish cleaning the upstairs rooms yet?" he asked in a professional tone, his eyes holding hers with a look that clearly said play along.

The moment the words registered, understanding dawned in Eleanor's eyes, followed quickly by relief.

"Oh!" she exclaimed quickly, her voice brightening as she clasped her hands together. "Right... the cleaning. I was just on my way to finish dusting the master suite. Mr. Blackwood is very particular about keeping things spotless."

She turned toward Mr. Green and secretly flashed him a thumbs-up near her waist, hidden behind the folds of her dress.

Mr. Green gave the faintest nod in return, maintaining his calm, composed expression as he adjusted his gloves.

Jayden immediately looked at Mr. Green with deep appreciation in his eyes-silently thanking him for his quick thinking-before quickly turning back toward Jane. His expression shifted into something more relaxed, more familiar.

"Yeah," he said casually, walking over to wrap an arm around Eleanor's shoulder. "I forgot to tell you... my mom works here now."

Jane's expression softened instantly, the confusion melting away into something warm and understanding.

"I just came by to check on her," Jayden added with a reassuring smile, giving Eleanor's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Make sure she's not working too hard."

"Oh..." Jane murmured slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes as she looked from Jayden to Eleanor and back again. "That makes sense. I should have realized-"

"Jane," Eleanor interrupted hurriedly, afraid she might accidentally expose herself if the conversation continued any longer. She could feel her composure slipping, could feel the truth pressing against her teeth like something she was about to swallow whole. "I still have work upstairs, so I'll catch up with you another time. We can have dinner together soon-you can tell me all about your flights."

She gave Jane a bright, slightly forced smile before practically fleeing upstairs, her heels clicking rapidly against the marble steps until she disappeared around the corner.

Jayden immediately grabbed the opportunity, squeezing Jane's hand gently. "I'll wait outside for you," he said quickly. "Let you finish up with... Mr. Blackwood."

Jane watched him leave, a small smile on her face, before turning back toward Mr. Green.

"Ms. Harley," Mr. Green said warmly as he handed the signed documents back to her, his hands steady now that the immediate crisis had passed. "Everything is in order-"

"Thank you, Mr. Blackwood," Jane replied politely, bowing slightly as she accepted the files. She'd never met the actual chief pilot, but she'd heard enough to know he was respected throughout the airline. "Please tell him we appreciate his prompt attention to the safety protocols."

"You're welcome," he said, gesturing toward the door with a slight bow of his own. "Have a safe journey back to the city, Miss Harley."

Jane smiled politely and walked out of the mansion, her mind already moving through her to-do list for the next day. The lie had settled easily into place-she'd never been one to question things that made sense, and Jayden's explanation fit perfectly with everything she knew about his family.

Outside, Jayden was already waiting near the pathway leading toward the estate gates, his hands in his pockets as he watched the sunset paint the sky in shades of gold and pink. The evening breeze swept gently through the luxurious gardens, rustling the leaves of the manicured hedges and carrying the sweet scent of roses from the flower beds lining the walkway.

The two walked side by side hand in hand, their footsteps soft on the stone path. For a while, neither of them spoke-the silence comfortable, as it often was between them.

Then suddenly-

Jane stopped walking, pulling gently on his hand to make him turn toward her. The setting sun cast a warm glow over her face, making her eyes shine like dark amber.

"Jayden," she called softly, her voice serious but gentle.

Jayden's heartbeat skipped, a familiar knot forming in his stomach. He'd been waiting for this moment-waiting for her to ask the questions he couldn't answer. He slowly turned toward her, his expression careful, guarded.

"Be honest with me."

His expression dimmed immediately, the last of the sunlight seeming to drain from his face. He'd practiced this moment a hundred times in his head, but now that it was here, all the words he'd prepared vanished.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, lowering his gaze to where their hands were still joined. His thumb traced small circles on the back of her hand. "I shouldn't have lied to you."

Jane stared at him seriously, her fingers tightening around his. She'd thought about this all the way from the mansion to the gate, had turned over every possible explanation in her mind.

"The truth is-" he began, his voice catching slightly.

"You're out of money, right?" she interrupted suddenly, her brows knitting together with genuine concern. "That's why your mom is working here, isn't it?-you're broke, and you didn't want me to know."

Jayden blinked, his head snapping up to look at her. The words hit him like a physical blow-not because they were true, but because they were so far from it. "...What?"

"So you're broke," Jane concluded, her expression softening with sympathy as she reached up to touch his cheek. "Why didn't you tell me? We're married-we're supposed to share these things."

"I have money," Jayden replied almost immediately, a helpless smile touching his lips as he squeezed her hand gently. He wanted to tell her-wanted to say I own the airline, I own this estate, I could buy us a dozen homes if you wanted-but the words stuck in his throat.

"Jayden," Jane said softly, her eyes filled with concern as she looked at him. "We're family now. We're supposed to face problems together. You don't have to carry everything by yourself."

Her thumb brushed against his cheek, warm and gentle. He could feel his chest tightening-tightening with guilt, with love, with the overwhelming desire to protect her from the complicated truth of his life.

"Why don't we bring Mom over to stay with us?" she suggested, her voice brightening with the idea. "We'll be able to take care of her-she won't have to work so hard for someone else."

Jayden's steps halted completely. For a second, he simply stared at her-at the woman who'd married him knowing nothing about his real life, who was now offering to take his mother in because she thought they were struggling financially.

Then he slowly looked away, a complicated smile appearing on his face-part sadness, part gratitude, part something else she couldn't quite read.

"But Mom has her own life," he said carefully, choosing his words with care. "She may not want to move in and... suffer with us."

Jane frowned immediately, pulling her hand from his to cross her arms over her chest. "Her current life is already difficult," she insisted, her voice firm with conviction. "Living under someone else's roof can never feel comfortable-no matter how nice they are. She's your mother-she should be with family."

Jayden's chest tightened hearing her defend his mother so earnestly, hearing her talk about family like it was the most important thing in the world. He'd spent his whole life surrounded by wealth and power, but never once had he felt like he belonged to something as real as what she was describing.

"But-" he began, trying to find a way to gently turn her down without revealing the truth.

"Jayden," Jane interrupted again, stepping closer until she was standing just inches from him. "If I told you today that I wanted to bring my own mother to live with us, would you refuse?"

"Of course not," he answered far too quickly, without even thinking. It was the truth-he'd never turn away someone she loved, never make her choose between him and her family.

Jane's smile immediately returned, bright and genuine as she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. "Then it's settled.

Jayden stared at her silently, his hands coming to rest on her waist. He could feel the lie stretching between them, thin as spider silk but strong enough to hold up the world she believed in. And for a moment-just a moment-he let himself imagine it: