Year of fire-an Upstead story

Chapter 21: Crossroads of loyalty

Hey guys we're back with an extra long chapter this week one I'm sure a few people have been waiting for after the last couple of chapters and I can't wait for you guys to read it so without further ado here's chapter 21
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A few days later after Hailey was sick and recovered, Jay stared at the folded letter in his hands, the memory of Voight's visit still fresh in his mind. That night had been chaos—Voight showing up unexpectedly, offering the sergeant's spot in intelligence like it was just another routine promotion. But nothing about that moment had felt routine. Not for Jay. Not for Hailey.

The fight that followed was inevitable. Hailey had been blindsided. After all they'd been through, it felt like Bolivia all over again. Jay could see it in her eyes—the hurt, the disbelief that he might consider it without thinking of her, without thinking of *them*. That night had ended in sharp words and uncomfortable silence.

Now, the letter sat heavy in his hands, almost mocking in its simplicity. Voight's signature was bold, the offer clear. A major career move, a prestigious opportunity, but it came with a high price. And this time, Jay didn't want to be the one to make the decision alone. He couldn't afford to make that mistake again.

The soft sound of footsteps drew his attention. Hailey stood at the doorway, her arms crossed, tension visible in her posture. She didn't say anything, just looked at him, eyes searching.

Jay stood, holding the letter in both hands like it was a fragile thing, something that could explode at any moment. "I'm sorry about the other night," he began, his voice low, steady. "I should have talked to you right then. I should've asked you how you felt."

Hailey shifted her weight, still cautious. "I was just surprised. After everything, I thought we'd be past this—past decisions that affect both of us without any real discussion."

"I know," Jay admitted. "I'm not proud of how I handled it. Voight showed up, and all I could think about was what that position could mean. But I didn't think about what it would mean for us."

She relaxed slightly, her arms uncrossing, but her gaze remained sharp. "So what now? Have you decided?"

Jay stepped closer, holding out the letter. "I want us to decide. Together."

Hailey blinked, not reaching for the letter but meeting his eyes. "You're serious?"

"I don't want to make this decision on my own. The last time I did that..." Jay trailed off, the memory of Bolivia hanging between them like an open wound. "I can't do that again. Not to you. Not to us."

Hailey's expression softened, the hurt receding just a bit. She walked toward him and took the letter from his hands, though she didn't open it. "We've fought hard to get back here, Jay. To trust each other again. But I won't lie—this scares me. The idea of you being gone for long stretches, of us slipping back into old habits... I don't know if we can survive that again."

"I don't either," Jay said honestly. "That's why I don't want to make this call on my own. If it's going to put us at risk, I'll walk away from it. But I need to know what you think. What we think. I also have the security firm that I've been working so hard on and I don't know what to do with that but I want you to be included in this decision Hails I can't do it without you."

They stood in the silence of their apartment, the weight of the decision hanging over them. Hailey's fingers traced the edges of the letter, but her focus was entirely on him.

"It's a huge opportunity," she said finally. "I get why it's important to you. But we have to be sure it won't undo everything we've worked for and everything you've worked for you've been working so hard to get your security firm up and running I don't want you to lose that."