⸻

Jane stopped.

Mid-step. Her hand was already on the doorknob, her fingers wrapped around the cool metal-but something made her pause. The weight of their words hung heavy in the air, and she couldn't leave without one final word.

Her grip on her mother's hand tightened-firm, reassuring-then she turned back.

Slowly. Her movements deliberate, each step measured as she faced the table once more. The fire in her eyes hadn't faded, but now it was focused, controlled.

"And none of you will eat either," she said, her voice cutting through the room like a blade, sharp and clean. "This food was made with love-love you don't deserve."

She gestured to the spread on the table-her mother's signature chicken curry, homemade roti, fresh chutneys, all carefully prepared over hours.

The table fell silent. Even Lucia, who'd been so loud moments before, shrank back in her chair.

"Aunt," she added, her eyes locking onto Lucia with an intensity that made the older woman squirm.

Lucia stiffened under that gaze, her earlier boldness evaporating like mist in the sun. "You... you're free to say anything you like," she stammered, forcing a nervous laugh as she looked away. "But we are not free to listen."

Jane tilted her head slightly, her expression calm-but dangerous, like a pilot assessing a runway with hidden hazards.

"Right?" she asked, her tone carrying an edge that left no room for argument.

Lucia nodded quickly, her eyes darting toward the door. "Yes... yes. Of course."

Jane held her gaze for a second longer-making sure the message was clear-then turned away. Her hand found the doorknob again, turning it smoothly.

"Mom," she said gently this time, her voice softening as she looked at her mother's tear-streaked face, "let's go."

Her mother stood immediately, her back straight despite her trembling hands. She'd taken enough humiliation for one night.

Jayden rose as well, his expression dark and unreadable as he gathered their coats. He'd said nothing through the entire confrontation, but his jaw was tight with restrained anger-protective fury for the woman he'd come to care for, and her mother who'd been so cruelly treated.

Without another word-

The three of them walked out, the door clicking shut behind them with a final, decisive sound.

⸻

The door shut.

And just like that-

The room filled with noise again, as if a cork had been popped from a bottle of anger and resentment.

"Such an ungrateful, heartless child," Lucia snapped, pushing her chair back as she stood up, her face flushed with anger. She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at the closed door.

"Throwing a tantrum like that in front of everyone," she added bitterly. "Who does she think she is?"

Rosa clicked her tongue, shaking her head in disapproval as she picked up her glass of water. "Ill-mannered. Always losing her temper. No wonder she had to marry some nobody-who else would put up with her?"

"Aunt..." Jenny said softly, smiling as she leaned closer to Lucia, placing a comforting hand on her arm. She'd been quiet since Jane left, but now her sweet demeanor returned in full force.

"Jane has just been in the city too long," she continued sweetly, her voice dripping with faux sympathy. "She's forgotten her roots-forgotten what family means."

She placed a hand on her chest, almost theatrically, her eyes wide with sincerity.

"Not like me. I would never treat you that way. Family always comes first."

Rosa beamed, reaching across the table to pat her daughter's hand. "Oh, my wonderful daughter," she said proudly. "So kind, so thoughtful. We're so lucky to have you."

Lucia scoffed, turning away from the door as she sat back down. "Fatherless child indeed," she muttered under her breath. "No manners whatsoever. No wonder her father ran away."

Her gaze softened as she turned to Jenny, her expression warm with approval.

"Our Jenny is the successful one," she said, nodding firmly. "Always has been. Always will be."

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"Jenny... weren't you taking the captain exam last month?" she asked. "Did you pass? When do you get your bars?"

Rosa immediately turned, her expression tightening with anticipation. She'd been waiting to ask this question for weeks, but Jenny had always been evasive.

Jenny froze.

Just for a second. Her hand paused mid-air as she reached for her wine glass, her smile faltering just enough to be noticeable if you were looking for it.

Her fingers adjusted the strap on her shoulder bag-black leather, a gift from Reuben-buying precious seconds as she scrambled for an answer.

Then-

"I... of course I passed," she said quickly, forcing a bright smile as she picked up her glass and took a slow sip. "Got my results last week. They're assigning me to the LA route next month."

Rosa exhaled in relief, her shoulders slumping as she smiled proudly. "I knew it! My daughter-the youngest captain at Aurelia!"

Jenny forced a smile and added, her voice carrying just enough to be heard across the table, "Jane failed hers, obviously. She's always been too impulsive for such responsibility."

"Oh," Lucia nodded, satisfied as she picked up her fork again. "Figures. She never had the discipline for it."

The grandmother tapped Jenny's arm warmly with her wrinkled fingers, her eyes crinkling with pride. "I always knew you'd be the accomplished one," she said, her voice soft with affection. "So much better than your cousin Jane. More polished, more respectful."

Jenny's smile stiffened, her jaw tightening slightly. She'd lied about so many things-her exam results, her relationship with Reuben, her role at the airline-but hearing it praised like this made her stomach twist with guilt.

"Then," the grandmother continued eagerly, her eyes lighting up with excitement, "you can help Lucia's son get that flight attendant position, right? Pull those strings you mentioned earlier?"

Jenny hesitated.

Just a fraction. Her hand tightened around her wine glass, her knuckles white against the crystal.

But Rosa didn't notice. She leaned forward, her face glowing with pride.

"Of course!" she said proudly, pulling Jenny closer to her side. "Our Jenny is now a captain at a major airline-she knows everyone who matters. Arranging a little thing like a flight attendant job is nothing."

Jenny subtly shook her head at her mother-small, urgent movements that she hoped only Rosa would see. Stop. You don't know what you're saying.

But Rosa didn't notice. She was too busy basking in the attention, too proud of the daughter she'd always wanted.

"Arranging a few positions is nothing," she continued confidently, waving her hand dismissively. "She could probably get all of us jobs if she wanted to."

Jenny's throat tightened, her mouth going dry. She'd never even taken the captain exam-she'd been too afraid to face the failure she knew was coming. And Reuben had been grounded, so his connections were worthless now.

"From now on," Rosa added excitedly, her eyes bright with possibility, "you will all fly for free whenever you want. Jenny can get us complimentary tickets-captains have that kind of power, don't they?"

"Wonderful!" Lucia clapped her hands in delight, her face lighting up like a child on Christmas morning. "We've never even been on a plane! I've always wanted to see the ocean from above."

"Jenny," she added eagerly, leaning forward across the table, "can you take us to your airline tomorrow? For a tour? Let us see where you work-see the planes up close?"

Jenny's eyes widened. she certainly couldn't arrange a tour for half the family.

She immediately grabbed her mother's arm under the table, squeezing tightly enough to leave marks.

"Mom," she whispered through clenched teeth, her smile never leaving her face but her eyes dark with urgency, "stop making promises. I can't do that."

Rosa brushed her hand away, patting it reassuringly as she turned back to Lucia.

"Of course we can," she said brightly. "Let's say tomorrow afternoon-two o'clock. Jenny will pick us up and take us right onto the tarmac if we want."

Jenny's face drained of color. The tarmac was restricted access-only authorized personnel were allowed there, and even then, only with proper identification and training.

"That would be amazing!" Lucia and the grandmother exclaimed together, clapping happily as they began planning what they'd wear and what they'd ask to see.

Jenny leaned closer again, her voice urgent now, barely more than a whisper.

"Mom, that's impossible. Airport regulations forbid non-staff in operational areas. We could all get arrested-you could get me fired."

Rosa waved her off, her voice low but dismissive.

"Nonsense," she whispered back. "We're decent people. We won't touch anything. We'll just look around and be on our way."

She smiled wider, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"What could possibly happen? It's just a tour."

Jenny's lips parted-

Then closed. There was no point in arguing. Her mother never listened when she was in one of these moods, and saying no now would mean admitting she'd been lying about everything.

Her heart pounded against her ribs, fast and hard. She picked up her wine glass and drained it in one swallow, the alcohol burning a path down her throat.

Her forced smile returned.

But this time-

It didn't reach her eyes.

Because for the first time-

Her lies were no longer small, no longer easy to hide behind charm and excuses.

And tomorrow-

They would be tested.

The roar of departing engines thundered across the tarmac, shaking the ground beneath their feet as Jenny, Rosa, Lucia, and their grandmother stood just beyond a marked yellow safety line, craning their necks to watch a Boeing 787 ascend into the clear blue sky. Jet exhaust billowed behind it, creating a white cloud that caught the morning sun.

Lucia clapped her hands like a child on her birthday, bouncing slightly on her toes. "Ahh! It's so impressive! I've never been this close to a plane before!"

"Shoo, shoo," the grandmother said, waving her hand dismissively while smiling with pride, her face crinkling into a thousand lines. "Our Jenny does this every day. She could fly one of those giants if she wanted to."

Rosa lifted her chin, her chest swelling with pride as she adjusted her bright purple jacket. "This is nothing for her," she said, glancing at Jenny with an expression that demanded admiration. "She practically owns this place-everyone knows her name here."

Jenny forced a smile, her fingers tightening slightly at her sides until her knuckles turned white. She'd managed to sneak them past the first security checkpoint by pretending they were part of a maintenance crew-but she knew they couldn't keep pushing their luck like this.

Lucia turned suddenly, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she spotted a set of glass doors marked "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY." "I heard there's a private captain's lounge here-luxurious, like a hotel suite. Take us there! I want to see where you relax before flights."

Jenny hesitated, her gaze darting toward the security cameras mounted near the ceiling. "I don't know if that's a good idea-"

But Rosa stepped in immediately, placing a firm hand on Jenny's shoulder. "Of course it is. Let's go. Our Jenny is a captain now-today, we go anywhere we want. Show them what you're worth."

She gave Jenny a look-sharp, commanding, leaving no room for argument.

Jenny swallowed hard, her throat dry with anxiety. "...Right. Stay close to me. Don't wander off, and don't touch anything. Security is strict here."

"No worries!" Lucia said-already wandering toward a nearby service door, peering through the window with curiosity.

Jenny's anxiety spiked as she hurried after her, Rosa and the grandmother following proudly behind, their voices carrying loudly across the quiet tarmac.

The private lounge doors slid open with a soft whoosh, revealing a space that looked more like a high-end club than an airline facility. Polished marble floors gleamed under warm recessed lighting, reflecting the plush leather chairs and glass-topped tables arranged around the room. Original artwork hung on the walls, and a fully stocked bar sat in the corner, tended by a uniformed attendant who looked up in surprise as the group burst in.

Lucia gasped, her hand flying to her chest. "This place is beautiful! Look at those chairs-they must cost a fortune!"

The grandmother ran her hand along the arm of a leather chair, her eyes wide with wonder. "So soft...! I've never felt anything like this in my life."

Rosa turned to Jenny, her eyes shining with satisfaction. "Go on. Show them everything. The bar, the flight planning area-whatever captains get to see."

Jenny opened her mouth to protest-

But before she could speak-

The door burst open with a sharp bang against the wall.

"Jenny Burrows."

Jane's voice cut through the room like a blade, clear and sharp and impossible to ignore.

All heads turned.

Jane stood at the entrance, her uniform crisp and immaculate, her captain's bars gleaming on her shoulders. Her expression was sharp, her eyes scanning the scene in disbelief-taking in the four unauthorized visitors, the way they were touching everything in sight, the attendant standing frozen behind the bar.

Jenny's face drained of color, leaving her pale as paper. She'd known this was coming-but not this fast, not by Jane's hand.

"Don't you know aviation regulations," Jane continued, stepping forward with deliberate grace, "forbid unauthorized personnel in operational areas? This lounge is restricted to active crew only-no exceptions."

Rosa scoffed immediately, placing her hands on her hips as she stepped forward to confront Jane. "Watch your tone, little girl. You're speaking to your elders."

Jane didn't look at her. Her eyes remained fixed on Jenny, watching the way her cousin shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

Rosa stepped forward anyway, her voice rising with indignation. "You're incompetent, yet you speak like this to our Jenny? She's a captain-has more authority here than you ever will. And we are family-this is just a tour. What harm could it do?"

At that word-captain-Jane's gaze snapped to Jenny, her eyes narrowing slightly. A long silence stretched across the room, heavy with unspoken understanding.

They both knew the truth.

Jenny's fingers curled slightly into fists at her sides. She leaned toward Jane quickly, lowering her voice to a frantic whisper. "Do me a favor," she muttered, her eyes darting toward her family. "They want to see the cockpit. Your flight is off-duty for the next few hours, right? Just let them look for five minutes-then I'll get them out of here."

Jane pulled her arm away instantly, her expression cold with disgust. "Why would I agree to that? You know the rules-no unauthorized personnel in the cockpit, ever. It's a safety violation that could get us both fired."

Jenny's expression tightened, then she raised her voice, trying to turn the tables. "They're your relatives too, Jane. Don't you care about family?"

"Exactly," Jane replied coldly, her voice carrying clearly across the quiet room. "That's why I won't allow it. I won't put their lives-or the lives of every passenger who flies this plane-in danger just to feed your ego."

She stepped closer, her voice steady but cutting as she looked directly at Jenny.

"If something happens-if they accidentally touch a control, if they disrupt the systems-can you take responsibility? Can you explain to the FAA why you brought untrained civilians into a restricted area?"

"What could possibly happen?" Jenny shot back, folding her arms defensively. "They just want to look. They won't touch anything. I'll make sure of it."

"No."

Jane pointed firmly toward the exit, her finger steady and unyielding.

"They leave. Now. Before I call security and have them escorted off the premises."

Rosa stepped in, shoving Jenny slightly aside as she moved to stand between Jane and her daughter. "Why are you asking her? You're the captain-you can do whatever you want. She's just an errand girl, running around doing your dirty work."

Silence.

Then-

Jane laughed.

Soft at first, a quiet sound that made everyone freeze. Then sharper, more bitter, echoing off the marble floors.

She turned slowly toward them, her eyes landing on Jenny with an expression that was part amusement, part pity.

"She told you I'm an errand girl?"

"Yes," the grandmother said without hesitation, leaning forward slightly as if sharing a secret. "Otherwise, you would've helped Lucia's son get that job. Our Jenny is the capable one. A real captain. She arranges everything for us-jobs, flights, whatever we need."

Rosa nodded proudly, wrapping an arm around Jenny's shoulders and pulling her close. "That's right. She's the one with influence here-not some hothead who got lucky with a promotion."

Jenny smiled stiffly, her discomfort growing as she felt Jane's eyes on her. She wanted to shrink into the floor, to disappear-but there was nowhere to go.

Jane's gaze darkened, the amusement fading from her face as she stepped forward again, her voice now low-and dangerous.

"You placed people in my crew?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Jenny. "You told them you could arrange positions for family members on my flights?"

A beat. The room was so quiet you could hear the hum of the air conditioning.

"I reject it," Jane continued, her voice clear and final. "Any applications submitted under false pretenses will be immediately denied. I won't compromise my crew's integrity for anyone."

"Don't yell at Jenny!" Rosa snapped, stepping closer until she was nearly face-to-face with Jane. "You ungrateful wretch. She helps this family while you sit up on your high horse and refuse to lift a finger. She's done more for us than you ever will."

Jenny nudged her mother urgently, her voice low and frantic. "Mom-stop-you don't know what you're saying-"

But Rosa continued, stepping closer, her tone turning hostile as she jabbed a finger toward Jane's chest.

"So who are you to say anything?-she has connections you can only dream of."

Silence fell. The attendant behind the bar had stopped breathing, watching the confrontation with wide eyes.

Then-

Jane smiled.

Amused.

"...Oh?" she said, her voice light but carrying an edge that made Rosa step back slightly. "Is that what she told you? That she could have my job? That she has more authority here than I do?"

She turned to Jenny, her expression now completely calm-but her eyes burned with a fire that made Jenny's knees weak.

"Mom," Jenny said quickly, tugging frantically at Rosa's sleeve, her voice lowered but urgent enough to carry across the quiet lounge. "We're family. I still have to work with Jane... let's at least save her some face. It'll be easier for everyone if we just leave now."

Jane heard every word.

She didn't respond. She simply looked away-her gaze drifting to the framed flight maps on the wall-then let out a soft, amused scoff that made Jenny's cheeks burn with shame.

Rosa's face hardened immediately. "Save face?" she repeated, her voice rising with incredulity. "You're thinking about her dignity, but look at how she's treating you-a captain?"

She emphasized the last word proudly, as if it were a title Jenny had earned through years of hard work rather than borrowed prestige.

"You only got into this company because of Jenny's boyfriend," the grandmother added sharply, lifting her leather purse and pointing it at Jane like it were a weapon. "He pulled strings for you when no one else would. And now you dare act superior to the very person who made your career possible?"

Her voice rose with each word, drawing the attention of the bar attendant who'd been trying to disappear into the background.

"We are going into that cockpit today," she declared, her voice ringing with finality. "And you cannot stop us. Not when our Jenny has already given us permission."

Silence followed-heavy and tense, broken only by the distant roar of engines on the tarmac.

Then-

"Jenny."

Jane's voice cut through the quiet like a switchblade, calm but carrying a weight that made everyone freeze.

"They don't understand the consequences," she said, her eyes locking onto Jenny's, holding her gaze with an intensity that left no room for evasion. "But you should. You've been with Aurelia long enough to know better."

Jenny stiffened, her shoulders squaring defensively even as her eyes darted away.

"Bringing unauthorized personnel into a cockpit," Jane continued, her tone measured and precise, as if reciting safety protocols she'd memorized years ago. "Can result in disciplinary action-salary cuts, public reprimand, suspension from duty..."

She took a step closer, her voice dropping slightly but losing none of its sharpness.

"At worst-termination. And compensation for your entire training may be demanded by the airline. Every dollar Aurelia invested in teaching you to fly-you'd have to pay it all back."

Jenny's face visibly changed. The pale flush of embarrassment gave way to genuine fear, her confident facade cracking like ice under pressure.

She lowered her head slightly, her fingers fidgeting with the zipper of her jacket.

A beat of silence stretched between them as Rosa processed this, her earlier boldness wavering for the first time.

"Jenny..." she said, her voice softer now, tinged with worry. "Is it really that serious?

Jenny hesitated, scratching the back of her neck as she avoided everyone's eyes. "...Maybe we should just go."

"Go home?" Lucia snapped immediately, her face twisting with annoyance as she crossed her arms over her chest. "No way! We drove two hours to get here. After this, we can go back to the neighborhood and proudly say we've seen real airplanes up close-sat in a real cockpit!"

"Exactly," the grandmother agreed, her resolve returning as she straightened her back. "Jenny is the captain here. What's wrong with showing us her workplace? It's not like we're going to steal anything."

Her eyes flicked toward Jane with open disdain.

"I think you're just overreacting. Trying to make yourself look important by stopping us."

Jane inhaled slowly, her chest rising and falling in a deliberate rhythm as she maintained control. She'd dealt with difficult passengers, mechanical failures, and severe turbulence-but nothing tested her patience like this.

"Auntie," she said evenly, her voice carrying clear across the room. "I can show you other areas. The maintenance hangar, the passenger boarding bridges, even the training simulators-all areas that are safe for visitors. But the cockpit is strictly off-limits to outsiders."

"What outsiders?" Rosa snapped again, her earlier hesitation gone as she planted her feet firmly on the marble floor. "We are family! Family isn't 'outsiders'!"

She waved her hands dismissively, her voice rising with indignation. "We just want a quick look. Five minutes tops. We won't touch anything-we'll just stand there and admire it."

Her tone shifted suddenly to mock concern, her eyes wide with false innocence.

"Would we sabotage you? Hurt you? We're your own flesh and blood!"

Jane didn't answer. She just looked at Rosa, her expression calm but her eyes cold as winter.

"Jane," Jenny said, stepping forward now, trying to reclaim control of the situation. "Stay out of this."

She pulled out her phone and lifted it slightly, angling the screen so Jane could see what was on it.

"I already got approval," she said, her voice steadier now that she had something to hide behind. "Reuben secured me a special access pass. It's all above board."

Jane glanced at the screen briefly-saw a blurry photo of what might have been a pass, but no official stamps or authorization codes.

Then looked back at her.

Cold.

"Reuben has no authority over my crew operations," she said flatly.

Her voice dropped to a low, dangerous whisper.

"Leave. Before I have to make you."

The word landed heavily in the quiet room.

Rosa let out a short, bitter laugh, stepping forward boldly as she squared off against Jane.

"I'm going in," she said, her chin raised defiantly. "Let's see if you'll really throw your own family out in front of everyone here. Let's see if your precious airline will support you when you embarrass your blood relatives."

Before Jane could move to block her-

Rosa shoved past her, her shoulder hitting Jane's arm hard enough to make her stumble slightly.

"Out of the way," she snapped, heading for the door that led to the tarmac and the waiting aircraft.

Lucia followed immediately, calling out over her shoulder. "We're coming! Don't go in without us!"

The grandmother trailed behind, muttering under her breath about "ungrateful children" as she hurried to keep up.

Jenny froze for a second-her eyes darting between Jane's furious face and her family's retreating backs. Then, with visible hesitation, she followed them inside, casting one last worried glance over her shoulder before disappearing through the door.

The cockpit door shut behind them with a soft but final click.

Silence.

Jane stood still, her jaw tight enough to grind teeth, her fingers curling slightly at her sides until her knuckles blazed white. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest-furious at their recklessness, worried about the consequences, and deeply hurt that her own family would choose lies over safety.

Then-

She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.

No hesitation now. Her movements were deliberate, precise-like she was preparing for an emergency landing.

She dialed a number, holding the phone to her ear as it rang once, twice.

"Chief Pilot's office," a calm voice answered on the third ring.

Jane's voice was calm-but edged with steel, sharp and unyielding.

"This is Captain Jane Harley."

A brief pause on the other end-recognition, then concern.

"I'm reporting a security breach," she continued, her eyes fixed on the closed cockpit door down the corridor. "Unauthorized personnel have gained access to aircraft GC2711. I repeat-security breach in progress."