CHAPTER 23 A TIME TO ACT

The day had been a whirlwind of emotions for Jane. Her encounter with Max and his family had opened her eyes to a world she had never known, a world of passion, of joy, of freedom. But as she returned home, the weight of reality settled on her shoulders. She sat down on her bed, her phone in her hand. The voicemails from her mother were angry, tearful, pleading. Jane could almost feel the hurt radiating through the tiny speaker. But there was also defiance in her heart. She knew that she had to stand her ground. Oliver's presence was a comfort to Jane. He knew her too well, could see the turmoil swirling within her. "You know, I've been thinking," he said, his voice gentle. "Maybe we should stay here for a little while longer. We could even go to London, explore the city together. It's a big, exciting world out there, and I think you deserve to experience it." Jane turned to look at him, her heart filling with gratitude. "You don't have to go through this alone, you know," he cont