No Way Back

Chapter 22

Anna’s nails bit into her palm as she glared furiously at Jane.

“Your father was right. Compared to Maddie, you’re nothing but a failure.

“I can’t believe I gave birth to a daughter who turned out to be as selfish and unreasonable as you are.

“I felt so guilty about what had happened to you, but all that guilt is gone now. It’s all thanks to you, Jane.

“I wish I had never given birth to you. I wish I had never tried searching for you. I wish that you had died 19 years ago. Why did you appear in my life again?”

Jane had driven Anna mad with anger.

Harsh words spilled from her lips without control.

This was the only way she could express her utter rage.

“Janie…”

Lila’s face paled as she listened to Anna’s gush of vitriol.

She couldn’t be bothered to argue with Anna at all. Instead, she turned her concerned gaze toward Jane.

She was worried about how badly Jane would take Anna’s words and that they would break her best friend’s heart into irreparable pieces.

Lila could feel her chest tighten and her heart shatter as she listened to Anna, even though Anna was nothing but a stranger to her.

How would Jane, Anna’s own daughter who yearned so badly for her family’s love, feel?

All humor fled Jane.

Her face stiffened into an expression devoid of any emotion.

Her heart, on the other hand…

hurt.

Why was she so weak?

She had had enough pain and disappointment in her past life.

She had decided not to get her heart broken over people who didn’t deserve her love in this life.

But…

Jane wasn’t as strong as she had thought she was.

A healed wound remained a wound.

You could hide it with a bandage, but the scar was still there.

It would hurt once in a while, the pain a reminder of the humiliating past that Jane had suffered.

This was the last time.

Jane would never show her weakness before a stranger again.

never

the hearts of

too. Unfortunately, I’m alive

this is God’s will. Without the Fowler family in

will become better. I’m

bit out as she tried to bury her sorrow deep inside

would never forgive

Not in this life.

to her. The pain, the suffering, and the tears she had

forget any of that. It would stay with

the intense

out of her blind

Her face paled.

Oh my God.

done? Why had she said all

let her anger get the better of

mean anything that she had

anything

believe that the first vicious vitriol she had spewed in her life was directed

nearly drowned Anna in guilt. She was the proud, dignified wife of the chairman of the

daughter like

had wanted Anna to disavow

been prepared for a tough fight. She didn’t expect things to turn out her way

“No, Diane, I…”

as she tried to explain

meant what

It had been…

the anger talking.

didn’t expect to see the true colors of the top socialites of Stormton City’s two

Luther applauded suddenly.

in his eyes were as stark

and Diane.

enjoyed being a member of the peanut gallery. However, it appeared that even he couldn’t stomach what

behavior must have

you just say? You’re just a manager. You have no right to criticize Anna

boss. I wish

fired!”

livid. This must be her unlucky day. Everyone was pointing their fingers at Diane. They had no idea who they

who made a mistake by offending her. A p*thetic manager had had the guts to do the same

your aunt wants to speak to the

up into a smile as he turned his gaze toward a corner of the

Hugh?

Diane froze.

where Luther was staring with a look of incredulity in

to his

hand into his pocket and made his

freezing up like a mouse

stopped breathing and hid herself behind

overwhelming for people

was

told her to stay away from

even look