Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 793

Dailey knew the words spoken were not just empty threats.

He understood the gravity of what his family said. But from the moment he decided to be with Christine, he was prepared for this confrontation.

With a calm and steady voice, he said, "Grandma, if it ever comes to the point where you lay a hand on Christine, then my ties with the Clarkson family will be severed for good."

"I'm laying it out now; Christine and I, we're in this together, for better or worse."

"You know what I mean."

...

Madge was visibly upset by the ultimatum.

Though not gravely ill, she insisted on being hospitalized, sharing a room with Caldwell.

Given the circumstances, Dailey knew he couldn't keep pushing back.

His family was strict, sure, but it was never abusive.

The line drawn in the sand was for Christine's safety, though things hadn't escalated to that point yet.

Jane went back to keep Christine company.

Gregory stayed behind, ready for any unexpected situations.

When Normand arrived by nightfall and saw Dailey, he didn't say a word, just kicked him.

Dailey fell to his knees with a thud but remained silent.

Jayne stepped in, "What are you doing? Talk, don't start throwing punches."

Caldwell and Madge, lying in their hospital beds, also gestured for Normand to stop.

"What's the point of hitting him? You think you can beat him to death?" they said, discontent in their voices.

Normand was furious, "This is all your coddling!"

Jayne retorted, "When he was out in the wild for training, eating bugs and roots, did I say anything?!"

An eerie silence fell over the hospital room.

So quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

After a long pause, filled only with the sound of breathing, the room awaited a response.

Gregory knew it wasn't his place to speak; the Clarkson family needed to show whether they would budge.

Eventually, Madge broke the silence, "Dailey, don't think that just because you're the only heir, you can use death as a threat. I might step back now, but not because of your threat. It's because you carry the Clarkson blood."

"And all the effort we've put into you can't be wasted on a whim over a girl. You can't escape the Clarkson legacy, and your life isn't solely yours to control."

Catching Madge's cue, Caldwell clarified, "We'll allow you this dalliance for a year, but then you must follow the family's plans and marry."

"If you refuse, then you might as well end this romance now."

Normand added, "You've seen what our family has endured. If you insist on being with her, through life or death, then maybe it's better to live as if dead."