Chapter 98 Be a Better Brother
Finished
Still, deep down, Jean had a feeling she could trust Easton now… And honestly, that just made everything more confusing.
Hearing Jean’s thoughts, Easton’s smile widened. “Jean,” he suddenly called out, his voice low and steady.
She snapped out of her thoughts and leaned toward the gap in the rocks. “What is it?”
“It’s nothing, really.” Easton rested his hand on the rock, like somehow that would bring him a little closer to her. “I don’t think I’ve ever been a good brother. Back then, I was pretty immature.” His voice dipped, a little self–aware, a little regretful. “But today, after everything that’s happened… it finally hit me. I want to be better. I want to be someone you can count on.” He hesitated, then added with a flicker of softness in his tone, “I might not be great at it yet… but I’m trying. Haven’t you noticed I’ve been looking out for you the last couple of days?”
Wait, what? Jean’s mind went completely blank for a second.
She honestly couldn’t tell what was more shocking–that he wanted to be a good brother or that he actually thought he’d been taking care of her.
Looking out for me? All she remembered was him almost burning down the house and making some weird, barely edible meals…..
Easton cleared his throat. “Anyway, I’m serious. I’m really going to try to be a better brother.” Then, in a voice so unexpectedly soft it made her freeze for a second, he added, “So… Jean, do you think maybe you could stop hating me?”
Maybe it was the way his voice sounded–calm and low, with just enough vulnerability to make it real. Or maybe it was how genuinely awkward–but kind of sweet–it came out. Either way, Jean’s heart skipped a beat.
Figures. Easton really is a celebrity–he’s dangerously good at this…
Easton gave a smug little smile, like he knew exactly what he was doing–and was pretty pleased with himself.
Jean bit her lip, a little flustered. “Um… that depends on how you act from now on.”
“Deal.” Easton smiled easily, then added, “Just hang in there–I’ll go get help.”
There was no way he could move the rocks by himself. He needed the right tools–and backup.
Jean knew that too. She nodded. “Alright. Go. I’m good for now.”
After Easton left, Jean sat back in the corner again.
The whole thing had felt surreal.
Chapter 98 Be a Better Brother
getting along.
The idea of her and Easton having a calm, honest conversation like this? It was… unreal.
And she could tell… he wasn’t faking it.
He wasn’t putting on an act. Every word he said was real–and he meant it.
Finished
Jean wasn’t the type to push someone away when they were trying. If Easton genuinely wanted to fix things, she wasn’t going to shut him out.
After all, ever since they met, aside from running his mouth, he’d never actually done anything to hurt her. In fact… he’d helped her. More than once.
So yeah–she was willing to give him a chance.
About twenty minutes later, Easton returned–with a full rescue team and the proper equipment.
With professionals on–site, the rocks that had trapped Jean were quickly cleared.
It didn’t take long before Jean was finally freed. And the moment she stepped into the light, the first thing she saw was Easton–tall, calm, and striking–standing in front of her, hand outstretched.
Jean didn’t hesitate. She placed her hand in his.
Easton gave her a quiet smile, then took her hand and started leading her toward the exit of the
tunnel.
Not long after Julia’s rescue, the production team finally released a statement–Jean had been found safe and sound.
The internet exploded.
“Ah, finally! I’ve been waiting for this all day!”
“Jean, thank God you’re okay! I can’t stop crying.”
“Omg, I’ve been waiting forever for this–I’m literally sobbing.”
“She’s safe… She’s really safe. I was this close to going to church to pray for her!”
“Okay, Julia and Jean are both safe now, but the production team doesn’t get to walk away from this. The whole setup was a mess,”
“Exactly. The show didn’t keep their cast safe–10 way to spin that.”
Chapter 98 Be a Better Brother
Finished
“Don’t think you’re off the hook, producers. Just because they made it out doesn’t mean this wasn’t serious. If luck hadn’t been on their side, this could’ve ended so differently.
Now that Jean’s okay, I bet her haters are pissed.”
“Hate to break it to you, but Jean’s totally fine–suck it, haters!”
Although both Jean and Julia had been rescued safely, there was no way the show could continue. Production was officially put on hold.
The team released a statement announcing an indefinite suspension–no return date, just a promise to share updates once everything was sorted. The rest of the cast was sent home.
He brought her to his home–a sleek, high–rise apartment overlooking the bay.
He’d lived there alone for years–and almost never brought anyone over. Having Jean there was a
first.
Before heading back, he took her to get her scrapes cleaned up. Jean didn’t have to do a thing- he handled it all, quietly and thoroughly.
His apartment was stunning. The moment they walked in, Jean was met with massive floor–to- ceiling windows that looked straight out over the ocean.
Crystal–clear water stretched endlessly beneath a cloudless sky. Off in the distance, a modern bridge cut across the bay, cars zipping by as waves shimmered below.
It was breathtaking.
Jean couldn’t help but walk up to the glass, eyes wide, taking it all in.
The view was so beautiful, it actually made her feel calm inside. Wow, she thought. So this is how Easton’s been living? And he never told us? Seriously?
Behind her, Easton chuckled and shook his head. “If you like it, you can stay here as long as you want,” he said, tilting his head with a soft, teasing tone.
Jean spun around and waved him off. “Please. You stare at a view like this every day; it’s bound to get old.” Then she spun around and dropped onto the couch with zero hesitation.
It was incredibly soft.
The moment she sat down, she practically melted into it.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Jean sat up, eyes wide with curiosity. Easton, meanwhile, looked completely unfazed–like he’d been expecting it. He gave her a relaxed, knowing smile.
