No Way Back

Chapter 20 I Don’t Deserve To Be A Fowler

Diane’s voice was soft as she smiled brightly at Anna and tugged her arm lightly.

“Sure…”

Anna replied reluctantly.

Her face was lined with weariness.

“Come up, cheer up. I know you had an argument with your daughter. But it’s for the best, right?

“Your family has never cared for Jane. You already have Maddie. Now, her place in the Fowler family will be

secure.

“This is God’s will. Jane simply isn’t destined to be a part of the Fowler family. Don’t be too hard on yourself. After all, she’s alive. Besides, your family gave her a chance to come back. She was the one who rejected you.”

Diane said patiently.

Diane and Anna had been best friends for decades.

They had known each other in school.

Friendships like that were hard–won, and Diane treasured hers with Anna deeply.

Diane had married into the Croft family. Hugh’s uncle, the legendary Raymond Croft, was the head of the Croft family.

After her marriage, Diane remained close friends with Anna.

She often visited the Fowler family and spent time with Anna.

Diane had watched Madelyn grow up.

She loved Madelyn and was adamant about having Madelyn as her daughter–in–law.

Diane knew everything there was to know about the Fowler family.

She didn’t want a money grabber like Jane, who had come out of nowhere to tear her best friend’s relationship with Madelyn apart and turn the Fowler family upside down.

Diane had persuaded Anna not to recognize Jane as her daughter.

She had been missing for 19 years and had never received the education of an elite. Young women like her

were irredeemable.

She wasn’t worthy of being a member of the prestigious Fowler family.

The Fowler family had been doing fine until Jane appeared out of nowhere. The nobody ruined their lives.

Diane had seen it coming from a mile.

Fortunately, Jane had only spent two weeks with the Fowler family.

That was too little time to do too much damage.

In fact, she ended up doing her family a favor by disowning them.

“Diane, I know you have my interests at heart. But Jane is still the daughter I carried for nine months in my womb. She was taken from me when she was born and spent 19 years away from home. How can I pretend

doesn’t exist now that I know she’s

without digging deeper. She got upset and disowned us. How can I just

Anna grimaced.

idea where Jane had gone after leaving the Fowler

times when Anna considered sending Jane a

had been when she

not have Jane’s

didn’t even have her

heart had sunk

at the countless texts in her

those texts were from Jane,

but think

neglected her

a decent mother do that to her

how much more Anna cared for

be related by blood, but Anna raised Madelyn

biological daughter and was tied to her by blood, she was like a stranger to

bond Anna shared with Jane could not compare

that she didn’t

we’re going to have a feast and

an unpredictable element. The sooner

multiple times because of this. Now that

Jane has disowned the Fowler family. That means that Maddie doesn’t have to worry about her anymore. I watched Maddie grow up. She’s the best daughter–in–law I can ever hope

the marriage if her son

family friends. Jane had never received the education of an elite. Diane would never let

in

of utter shock on her

are you

Anna thought that she must be

afford to dine at

look

“What?”

Diane seemed similarly stunned.

disowned the Fowler

get you a table

into the Croft family, had to make a reservation two weeks

table at the restaurant!

an ordinary person like Jane get a table at Cloudnine

spare a

didn’t

upset Anna a little. “Unless my eyes are seeing things, you’re Jane. I’m your mother, Jane. Why

please

“We have nothing to do with each other now. Don’t be too eager to call someone your daughter. I certainly don’t deserve to

Jane. Must you hurt me with your

Jane burst into laughter.

What irony.

her eyes was utterly

have no mother than a mother

for Madelyn. I can’t possibly shoulder the weight of

Hugh’s

woman you’re interested in is arguing with someone. Isn’t the other woman Jack Fowler’s wife? Isn’t that

across Robert’s