Chapter 2 - The Ground Freeze at Gate C

Back at Terminal C, the scene had descended into pure public humiliation.

The gate agents had officially barred the Walker family from entering the jet bridge, while airport security stood by to ensure they cleared the area.

Tiffany was screaming at Jack, her manicured hands waving frantically in the air. "You told me you owned that logistics firm! You said your wife was just an administrative assistant who didn't understand money!"

"I... I thought the accounts were in my name!" Jack panicked, frantically trying to redial his personal bank line, only to hear an automated recording stating his user access had been revoked.

Ashley was practically in tears, her social media stream exploding with comments from friends who had seen the live terminal drama unfold. "Jack, do something! Everyone is looking at us! Mom’s blood pressure is spiking!"

Carol grabbed Jack’s sleeve, her voice sharp with desperation. "Call Megan right now! Tell her it’s a mistake! Tell her we were just bringing Tiffany along as an assistant!"

Jack dialed my number with shaking fingers, pressing the phone to his ear as he looked up toward the upper concourse where I had been standing.

The line rang twice before I answered, my voice completely flat and cool as ice.

"Yes, Jack?"

"Megan! Thank God!" Jack stammered, his voice cracking with panic. "There’s a terrible mistake at the airport! The cards aren't working, and the gate agent is saying you cancelled the tickets!"

"It isn't a mistake, Jack," I said quietly, leaning against the leather chair in the executive lounge. "I watched you scrub in for surgery."

Jack froze, the color draining from his face so fast he looked as though he might faint onto the terminal carpet.

"You... you were here?" he whispered, his eyes darting wildly toward the upper level.

"I stood right above Terminal C," I replied smoothly. "I saw the charcoal sport coat I bought you. I saw your mother taking pictures. And I saw you kiss Tiffany."

"Megan... wait! Listen to me!" Jack begged, stepping away from his family. "It’s not what it looks like! She’s... she’s a colleague! We were just celebrating a medical milestone!"