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.

would never

hearts

be dead too. Unfortunately, I’m alive and doing

Fowler family in my life,

d*e. In fact, my life will become better. I’m so sorry

to bury her

would never

Not in this life.

what they had done to her. The pain, the suffering, and the tears she had shed every night because of

never forget any of that. It would stay with her until her dying

the intense h*te

her out of

Her face paled.

Oh my God.

had she done? Why had she said all those

had let her anger get

anything that she had said

said anything so vicious in her

she had spewed in her life

was the proud, dignified wife of the chairman of the Fowler Corporation. She should be ashamed of

Anna. You don’t need a daughter like her. She’s nothing

sneered. She had wanted Anna to disavow

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

“No, Diane, I…”

she tried to

meant what she

It had been…

the anger talking.

expect to see the true colors of

Luther applauded suddenly.

of contempt in his eyes were as stark as day as he

and Diane.

peanut gallery. However, it appeared that even he couldn’t stomach what had just

Diane’s behavior must have

just a manager. You have no right to criticize

speak to your boss. I wish to lodge a complaint. You should

fired!”

must be her unlucky day. Everyone was pointing their fingers at

made a mistake by offending her. A p*thetic manager had had the

Hugh, your aunt wants to speak to the boss and get me fired. I’m

he turned his gaze toward a

Hugh?

Diane froze.

Luther was staring with a

rose to his

into his pocket

of Hugh sent Lila freezing up like

breathing and hid herself

overwhelming for people like

was

stay away

shouldn’t even look