Love Rents A Room
Chapter 64: His Reply

Chapter 64: His Reply

JD had wanted to clear his mind, so he took a morning walk, camera in hand, capturing the world through a different lens—one that wasn’t shadowed by his past mistakes. The crisp morning air carried the scent of fresh earth and the distant sweetness of wildflowers. Sunlight streamed through the towering oak trees, dappling the ground with golden patches.

It was peaceful, quiet, yet alive.

As he wandered toward the barn, he spotted the children playing—laughing, running barefoot through the soft hay, their faces alight with joy. His gaze landed on the older boy, shielding his little sister with a protective arm, his stance firm yet gentle.

That same boy just yesterday, was carrying the weight of responsibility far too heavy for his small frame, contemplating escape as his only option. But today... today, he looked like a child again, at ease, secure.

Joanne had given him that.

JD exhaled slowly, lowering his camera. Last night, after speaking with her, he realized something—Joanne wasn’t just strong; she was a force. She had endured so much, yet instead of growing bitter, she had chosen to be kind. She had taken all the pain life had thrown at her and turned it into something good, something meaningful. She helped people, in ways big and small, and left them better than when she found them.

Just like she did for him.

A quiet admiration settled deep in his chest.

And then, a thought struck him. It made him feel ashamed of himself.

What had he done? Thirty years in this world, and what had he achieved? Whose life had he made better? Had he even brought his own family any happiness?

He wanted to change.

He let his feet carry him toward the oak trees, the ones that still sent a chill down his spine. Even now, there was something unsettling about them, but today, he ignored the eerie whispers in his gut. There was something else here—something that called to him.

So he sat beneath the sprawling branches, his back resting against the rough bark, and pulled out his phone.

Sebastian had sent an email. As always. He’d been sending the same email every other day.

JD hesitated for only a moment before opening it. He could picture his grandfather now, dressed in his pristine suit, his expression unreadable yet weighed with concern. No doubt, the old man wanted an answer. A decision.

JD’s fingers hovered over the screen, then, without overthinking, he started typing.

---

[Dear Grandpa,]

I know you’re worried about me. I’m doing well these days—better than I have in a long time. I miss you a lot, but I want you to know I’m okay.

Right now, I’m sitting beneath a great oak tree, looking out at the most breathtaking scenery. The wind is soft, carrying whispers of peace, and for the first time in a long while, I feel... settled.

You always tried to show me the world—taking me to places untouched by crowds, places filled with quiet wonder. I never understood what you wanted me to see back then in those places that lacked basic necessities like a bathroom.

But now, I do.

There’s kindness in the world, Grandpa. So much of it. And I’ve met someone who embodies that kindness, someone who has taught me more about life in these past weeks than I ever learned growing up. I know I’ve been reckless. Irresponsible.

I’m the prodigal son, and I’ve squandered everything you gave me. The money, the trust, the love—you handed it all to me, and I threw it away. And yet, despite all that, I was not left to eat pig feed because of this kind person who means the world to me.

I have a great life here, Grandpa. I am the Administrative Officer of a logistics company. I am earning, now, Grandpa, and I get warm meals every day. I am happy.

I want to be greedy and ask you for something more. You want me to return and I too want a second chance.

I don’t regret leaving, but I regret the wasted chances, the time lost, the money you gave me that I treated like it meant nothing. I regret making you worry. And maybe, above all, I regret not becoming someone you could be proud of.

But that’s going to change. I’m going to change.

I won’t ask for much, Grandpa; just a chance. A job in your logistics company when I return. Something small, maybe something remote, so I can work from home. I know I don’t deserve it, but I want to try.

And... I want one month. Just one.

Please, Grandpa. Give me a month to stay here. I have unfinished business. I don’t know if I will succeed, but I have to try.

If you can still love me the way you once did, that would be the greatest gift of my life.

With love,

Jeffrey.

---

He hit send before he could second-guess himself.

Reading it over, JD felt his face heat up. It was uncharacteristically sentimental—borderline cheesy. But it was honest. And maybe, for once, that was what he needed to be.

He had made a decision.

He was staying for a month. He wanted to make Joanne fall in love with him. And when that was done, he would go home, reclaim his name, and start over. Maybe, by the time autumn came, he could return and tell Joanne the truth—about who he was, about everything.

How would she react? He didn’t know.

But he was willing to take the risk. Who wouldn’t want to marry a Winchester?

Feeling lighter, JD rose to his feet and started making his way back to the house. As he approached the garage, he heard Joanne’s voice. It was warm, familiar, and—

His steps faltered.

Through the open doors, he saw them.

Joanne was in Liam’s arms.

JD’s stomach twisted, and his heart plummeted, a sharp, unexpected drop that left him momentarily breathless. The world tilted—just slightly, just enough to make his grip on reality feel unsteady.

For a moment, all he could do was stare.

But then he focused. He really looked.

The way Joanne leaned into Liam’s embrace—it was firm, steady, but not possessive. There was no lingering hesitation, no quiet longing. It wasn’t the kind of embrace that spoke of something unresolved, of something that could turn into more.

JD swallowed hard, pushing down the bitterness rising in his throat. He had no claim over her, not yet. But he didn’t want to be just her friend, either.

So he did what any man in his position would do.

He interrupted.

"Hey, guys..." His voice rang out, casual, as if the scene before him didn’t affect him in the slightest. As if something inside him hadn’t just cracked a little.

Joanne startled at the sound of his voice, stepping back quickly from Liam’s embrace, as if remembering herself. She turned to JD, eyes wide for a fraction of a second before settling into something more neutral.

JD forced a grin. That was a friendly hug. That’s all it was. But it didn’t change the fact that she had never hugged him like that.