Jack has just witnessed an unimaginable horror.  The woman that he loves has married another man.  Jude watches on as Hope attempts to comfort Jack only a few feet away from where Peter and Jennifer's reception is taking place.

Hope pulls away from the embrace and looks into Jack's face.  Jack can't look into her eyes.

Hope -- Jack, talk to me.

Jack -- (turns away)  No, I don't want to talk about it.

Hope -- Okay, then just listen.  I know the pain and the loss almost seem unbearable right now, but the worst thing you can do is keep it bottled up inside of you.  You've got to let it out.

Jack -- (his lips quiver and he turns to face her)  Hope, look I really appreciate you coming out  here to talk to me, I really do.  Why don't you just go back inside to the reception and have a
good time (he puts on a brave face and even tries to crack a smile).  I'll be fine.

Hope -- I know what you are doing.  I did the same thing for months after Bo and Billie got  married.  Put on this brave front.  I can deal with this.  I'm going to be fine.  I'm going to be just
fine.  I'm okay.  (she remembers and tears up)  God, I was so scared.  I thought to myself, if I
allowed myself to feel any pain, if I started crying I would never be able to stop.  That's what you  are feeling isn't it?  Jack's brave face begins to crumble as his eyes tear up.

The cake is being served at the reception.  A chocolate-lemon mix.  Jennifer is completely  unaware of Jack's pain and his presence on the Blake grounds.  The weddings traditions are played out as the reception continues without any surprises.

Hope once again wraps her arms around Jack.  Jack can not keep his feelings in any longer.

Jack -- (pulls away from the embrace)  How could I have been such a fool?  I had a beautiful wife, beautiful little girl.  I mean I just threw it all away.

Hope -- You made a mistake.

Jack -- Yeah, and I'm paying for it.  I'm gonna pay for it for the rest of my life.

Hope -- Jack, I know, boy I know, the pain that you're going through right now but it does, it gets better.  One day it will.

Jack -- (he is bitter)  Well, I'm never going to get over losing Jennifer.  And the worst part of it is knowing that she and Abby are spending all of their time with Peter Blake.  That man is a
loathsome creature.  And knowing that the two people that I love most in this world are tied up with him hmm . . . it's killing me.

Jack turns away from Hope once again.  She moves in closer and puts a hand on his shoulder.

Hope -- Jack, uh do you think maybe that it is possible that your love for Jennifer is clouding your judgment for Peter.

Jack -- (immediately replies) No, no, no.  I don't know.  I just, I just can't think straight right now.  I need a little time for myself.

Hope -- Okay.  I'm around if you need me though.

Jack -- Okay.

Hope slowly turns to walk away as Jack remains in silence.  He soon begins to wander around the property.  He now has a bottle of beer in his right hand.

Jack -- (speaks to himself)  I thought I was on the right track.   I was so sure that Jennifer would  believe my suspicions about Peter but all it did was drive her away.  It was a mistake, just one
huge mistake.

Sarah comes up from behind.

Sarah -- No it wasn't Jack.

Jack  -- (not really surprised to see her)  Look, Sarah, just leave me alone.

Sarah -- Jack, you weren't wrong.  I think there is a mystery about Peter and his family.  His house.  Maybe it's even connected with the lady in white.

Jack -- No, no I don't want to hear it.  It's too late.  I don't want to hear or see anything about this lady in white.

Jack walks away and Sarah follows as the Lady in white looks on.  Jack soon heads back to the same spot without Sarah.  He is holding his wedding ring.

Jack -- (staring at and speaking to the ring)  I swore one day, I would put this wedding ring back on.  The day Jennifer and I were re-married.  It's the one dream that I had left in my life, and now
it's gone.

Jack throws the wedding ring onto the weed-ridden grass at his feet.  He can't bear to think of what could have been and what should have been any more.

Jennifer and Peter escape the wedding reception after saying some good-byes.  Peter has  surprised her with decorating a honeymoon cottage for their first night as man and wife.

Jack is still on the Blake property.  There is no where he can go to run and hide from the pain that is in his heart.

Jack -- Jennifer and Peter, probably on their honeymoon right now.  Peter's taking her in his arms (he takes a hit of beer).  Stop this Jack.  You are driving yourself crazy.  She's out of your life
now.  You've lost her.  You just have to try to get on without her.

He remembers a passionate kiss with Jen.

Jack -- It's impossible.  She is still in your heart.  She's still in your mind.  (frantic)  Where's that wedding ring?  (he looks for the ring and finds it)  I need this.  It's all I've got left.

Jack just stares at his ring as the Lady in white looks on.

The Lady -- I know the pain.  I know.

We all know the pain, but no one quite as much as Jack right at this moment.
 

END
 
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