Chapter 25

Race Against The Clock

As Jack stepped into his apartment, the weight of the world seemed to settle upon his shoulders. The familiar surroundings offered little comfort as his thoughts churned with the news he had just received about Rose calling off her engagement with Henry. His heart felt heavy with a mixture of longing and guilt. Claudette and Elise were waiting for him, their presence a bittersweet reminder of the life he had chosen. They greeted him with smiles that didn't quite reach their eyes, sensing the turmoil within him.

"Bonjour, Jack," Claudette said softly, her voice tinged with concern. "You look troubled. Is everything alright?"

Jack forced a smile, though it felt strained upon his lips. "Everything's fine, Claudette. I'm just tired from the journey and all." he replied, the words feeling hollow even to his own ears.

Elise, sensing the tension in the air, approached him with a questioning gaze. "Are you sad, Monsieur Jack?" she asked innocently, her small hand reaching out to touch his arm.

Jack's heart clenched at the sincerity in her eyes. How could he burden this sweet child with his own conflicted emotions? He knelt down to her level, offering her a reassuring smile. "No, Elise, I'm not sad. Just a little tired, that's all." But even as he spoke the words, Jack couldn't shake the heaviness in his heart. The image of Rose lingered in his mind, her face haunting him like a distant memory he couldn't quite grasp. He knew he couldn't abandon Claudette and Elise, not after they had come to mean so much to him. Yet, his longing for Rose tugged at his soul, a constant reminder of what could have been.

As he looked at Claudette and Elise, Jack made a silent vow to cherish them, to be the best partner and father figure he could be. But deep down, he couldn't deny the ache in his heart, the yearning for a love that seemed just out of reach. And as he settled into the embrace of his makeshift family, Jack couldn't help but wonder if he would ever find true happiness or if he was destined to forever be torn between two worlds.

The atmosphere in the apartment was tense as Claudette broached the subject that had been weighing on her mind. "Jack," she began hesitantly, her voice soft but tinged with apprehension, "can you tell me who Cora and the other man, Lauren, are? I couldn't help but notice that Cora seemed... displeased by my presence."

Jack sighed, knowing that this conversation was inevitable. He glanced at Claudette, seeing the flicker of insecurity in her eyes, and he knew he had to tread carefully. "Cora is Rose's cousin," he explained gently, watching Claudette closely for her reaction.

Claudette's expression hardened, a defensive edge creeping into her voice. "So, because Rose is the one who broke your heart, Cora feels entitled to judge our relationship?" she exclaimed, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

Jack nodded, understanding Claudette's confusion but also feeling the weight of his own unresolved emotions. "I believe Cora's loyalty lies with Rose, and she may not understand why I've chosen to move on," he admitted, his tone tinged with sadness.

Claudette's annoyance simmered beneath the surface as she processed Jack's words. "It's absurd," she muttered, her frustration evident. "Rose is the one who chose to marry someone else, not the other way around. Cora has no right to judge us."

Jack's heart ached at the reminder of Rose's departure, the wounds still raw despite the passage of time. "About that… Rose apparently wrote me a letter, saying that she called off the wedding," he confessed, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air, "But I never received the letter, so I think it got lost somewhere."

Claudette let out a frustrated sigh, her patience wearing thin. "If she really wanted you, she should have thought about that before you left for Paris. But, enough about Rose," she declared, her tone final. "We need to focus on our future together, not dwell on the past." With that, Claudette turned on her heel and disappeared into the kitchen. Still confused by her sudden outburst of frustration, Jack followed her.

"Why are you so pressed about it, Claudette? You know out engagement is merely to give you and Elise a better life."

"Exactly, Jack. A better life. But how can I expect a better life when your heart is somewhere else? I want your heart to be here and present, to look after my daughter and me, because we left everything behind on behalf of your good words." Her lips had thinned from frustration, "Now can you set the table, please?"

The night stretched on endlessly, Jack tossing and turning in his bed as sleep eluded him. Restlessness gnawed at his insides, the weight of unresolved emotions pressing down upon him like a suffocating blanket. With a sigh, he finally gave up on the futile pursuit of sleep and rose from his bed, the darkness of the apartment enveloping him like a shroud.

As he moved through the dimly lit rooms, Jack's thoughts drifted to Claudette and Elise, their presence a constant reminder of the life he had chosen. With a determined resolve, he set about rearranging the space, a silent effort to make it feel more like home for them. He shifted furniture, rehung curtains, and adorned the walls with photographs, each action fueled by a desire to create a sense of belonging.

But as he brushed past the dinner table, a sudden movement caught his eye. Claudette's purse tumbled to the floor, its contents spilling out onto the carpet in a chaotic jumble. Jack knelt down to gather the scattered items, his fingers grazing against a small envelope with his name written upon it.

Curiosity piqued, he picked up the envelope, his heart quickening its pace as he recognized the familiar handwriting. With trembling hands, he tore open the seal and pulled out the letter nestled within. His breath caught in his throat as he read the words scrawled across the page, words that spoke of love and longing, of promises made and broken.

It was the letter Rose had written to him, the letter that had never reached his hands. And yet, here it was, in his possession. Confusion and disbelief flooded through him, mingling with a sense of betrayal.

My dear Jack,

There are only two things I can say. The first one being that I love you and the second thing is that I have been nothing but a fool. To let you walk out of my life again after I have longed for you for over ten years. Therefore I have called off my wedding with Henry; it wouldn't be fair to him, wouldn't be fair to myself. In a way, I hope you are not thinking as much about me as much as I am thinking about you. I hope you are having the most wonderful time in Paris, but I do long for an answer. A simple no would be more than enough to ease my anxiety, buy I need to know Jack.

Written hopefully, Rose

A sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach as realization dawned upon him. Claudette had stolen the letter, had kept it hidden away, depriving him of the closure he so desperately sought. Anger flared within him, hot and fierce, but it was tempered by a profound sadness.

The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow upon the room as Jack stood at the foot of the bed, his fists clenched in frustration. With a heavy heart and trembling hands, he held the crumpled letter in his grasp, the words of betrayal burning like fire upon his skin.

"Clau-" His voice was sharp with anger, cutting through the stillness of the morning as he shook Claudette awake. She stirred groggily, blinking in confusion as she met his furious gaze.

"What's wrong, Jack?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

With a sudden surge of rage, Jack threw the letter onto the bed, the paper landing with a soft rustle against the sheets. "Tell me why you hid this from me," he demanded, his voice trembling with emotion.

Claudette's eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight of the crumpled letter. She fell silent, her gaze dropping to the floor as guilt washed over her features.

"I... I didn't want to upset you," she admitted finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't think she deserved your love, Jack."

Jack's anger flared anew at her confession, his heart aching with betrayal. "You had no right," he spat, his voice raw with emotion. "No right to keep this from me."

Tears welled in Claudette's eyes as she struggled to find the words to further explain herself. "I didn't know what else to do," she whispered. "I was afraid you would leave us if you knew the truth."

"The truth," Jack echoed bitterly. "You know what the truth is, Claudette? It's that I can't be with someone I can't trust. I can't marry someone who lies to me."

Claudette's heart shattered into a million pieces as she watched the man she loved slip further away from her grasp. "Jack, please," she pleaded, desperation lacing her words. "I have nowhere else to go. Elise—"

"I don't care, Claudette!" Jack's voice was sharp, cutting through her pleas like a knife. "You made your choice when you decided to keep that letter from me. Now, I'm making mine. I want you out of this apartment by the end of the day."

Claudette felt the weight of his words pressing down on her, suffocating her with their finality. She knew there was no changing his mind, no pleading or bargaining that could undo the damage she had caused.

Without another word, Jack turned on his heel and stormed out of the apartment, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. With a sense of purpose burning within him, Jack made his way to Mrs. Taylor's house, determination driving him forward despite the turmoil raging within.

When Lauren answered the door, Jack wasted no time in thrusting the letter into his hands. "I'm going to San Francisco," he declared, his voice resolute. "I need to see her."

Lauren's eyes widened in surprise as he scanned the contents of the letter, his brow furrowing in concern. "You need to hurry," he urged, his voice urgent. "Cora called Rose, said you weren't in Paris anymore because of… you know. But Rose insisted she was going to Paris regardless. Said that she needed a time off."

"I can't blame her." Jack murmured as Lauren let him into the house.

"What I do know is that the train to San Francisco leaves tonight late in the evening." Lauren said whilst pouring them both a cup of coffee.

"Then I'll arrive tomorrow."

"Yes."

"Rose is leaving tomorrow."

"Yes."

Jack bit his lip, his heart racing. "Do you know what time Rose is leaving?"

Lauren shook his head. "But Cora knows. I only bet she is still asleep," He looked at the clock in the living room, "Jack it's a quarter past seven on a Saturday."

"I couldn't sleep anymore."

"I noticed." Lauren took a seat next to him on the couch and chugged his coffee in one go. Then, the two men waited in silence. The winter mornings contained no sound, but only the footsteps of the mailman walking onto the porch. It did take another hour until Cora slowly walked down the stairs, unaware of the surprise that was waiting for her. Her eyes widened at the sight of Jack sitting inside a chair, his expression desperate.

"Have I missed something?" Cora mumbled nervously.

Jack held Rose's letter up in the air and Cora's eyes widened. "How did you get your hands on it?" She asked more surprised than ever.

"Claudette hid it from me."

"I've heard the French weren't to be trusted." Cora scoffed.

"That's a discussion for later," Jack said, "I know Rose is leaving for Paris tomorrow. And I was wondering if you knew at what time?"

Cora had to think for a moment, her brain still half asleep. "Her train leaves at half pas ten in the morning."

"That's great isn't it?" Lauren jumped up, "The train to Los Angeles leaves at ten tonight and the journey takes about twelve hours. So you'll have half an hour."

Glances were shared between the two of them, all thinking the same thing.

…..

The train station bustled with the energy of travellers hurrying to catch the last rides of the day. Lauren and Cora walked alongside Jack, their footsteps echoing on the polished floors as they made their way towards the platform.

"Are you sure you've got everything, Jack?" Lauren's voice was tinged with concern as she glanced at him.

Jack nodded, his jaw set with determination. "I hope so. My mind is racing so I'm actually not quite sure."

Cora placed a comforting hand on his arm. "You'll be fine, Jack. Just promise us to keep your head cool and collected for these upcoming hours."

"I will," Jack promised, his gaze fixed ahead on the approaching train.

As they reached the platform, the train screeched to a halt, its doors opening with a hiss of steam. Jack took a deep breath, steeling himself for the journey ahead.

As the train chugged along the tracks, Jack found himself lost in thought, his mind drifting back to his time aboard the Titanic with Rose. He remembered the way her laughter had filled the air, the sparkle in her eyes as she danced beneath the stars. He remembered how in love he had been, how he had believed their love could conquer anything.

But now, as he sat alone in his seat, surrounded by strangers, that love felt like a distant memory. The ache in his chest grew with each passing mile, a constant reminder of the woman he had lost.

As the train pulled into the station for his transfer, Jack's heart raced with anticipation. He had to make it to Rose before it was too late, before she boarded that fateful ship to Paris.

But as he stepped onto the platform, his heart sank at the sight of the crowded station. The departure board flashed with delays and cancellations, a cruel reminder of the obstacles standing in his way.

Jack clutched his chest, a wave of nausea washing over him. He had to find a way to reach Rose, to stop her from making what seemed to be another mistake, causing them to be apart once again. But with each passing moment, the distance between them seemed to grow wider, the odds stacked against him like a cruel twist of fate. As he looked out at the sea of faces, Jack felt more alone than ever before. But deep down, beneath the despair and uncertainty, he held onto a sliver of hope—a hope that somehow, against all odds, love would find a way to prevail.

As his arrived at the train track, Jack looked down at his watch. He had five minutes. Five minutes to find her and ask her to stay. Jack pushed his way through the throngs of people at the bustling train station in San Francisco. The air was thick with the scent of coal smoke and the sound of steam engines hissing and whistling filled the air. It was Christmas and the station was teeming with travelers, their faces aglow with anticipation and excitement.

With a slight panic gnawing at him, Jack scanned the crowd, searching desperately for a glimpse of Rose. He called out her name, his voice barely audible above the din of the crowd, but she was nowhere to be found. Heart pounding, he quickened his pace, weaving through the sea of bodies, each one seemingly intent on slowing his progress.

Then, through the haze of moving figures, Jack spotted it—the train Rose was supposed to be on, its steam billowing from the engine as it prepared to depart. The platform was crowded, and Jack cursed under his breath as he realized he was running out of time. With determination, he pushed himself forward, muscles straining against the tide of people.

But as he reached the platform, the conductor barred his way, shaking his head firmly. "Sorry, son, you'll need a ticket to board this train," the conductor said, his voice barely audible over the noise of the departing locomotive.

Jack's heart sank as he pleaded with the conductor, desperation creeping into his voice. "Please, you don't understand, Rose is on this train… a woman… my, well that doesn't matter, but I have to get to her."

But the conductor remained unmoved, his expression stern. "Yes, and I want to be with my wife as well, but I can't now can I? I can't make exceptions, son. Rules are rules."

The conductor blew his whistle and frantically, Jack watched as the train began to pull away from the platform, its rhythmic clack echoing through the station. With a surge of adrenaline, he dashed after it, his feet pounding against the wooden planks as he tried to keep pace. He reached the end of the platform, watching helplessly as the train disappeared into the distance, carrying Rose farther and farther away from him. Tears burned behind his eyes as he watched her vanish from sight, his chest tight with despair.

Minutes passed when suddenly, amidst the quiet, he heard the soft clicking of heels approaching from behind. His heart skipped a beat as a voice, gentle and familiar, spoke to him.

"You're quite fast, aren't you?"