Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 223

"Hey, don't you try to scare me!" After Allen shouted those words, his eyes filled with fear. He bolted away before I could respond.

"Fine, Chris, I'm a bit tied up now. I'll call you back." I hung up the phone on Christine and turned to face Leroy, acting as if he was invisible. "You were standing there and watching your dad hit your mom?"

Leroy shrugged. "What could I do? I'm not as strong as him, and he never listens to what I say."

I was fuming with anger, at a loss for words.

Then, despite her pain, Cheryl spoke, "Leroy, could you step outside for a moment? I need to have a word with Jane."

Leroy nodded. "Sure."

After Leroy left, I dragged a chair over to the bedside and sat down. "Are all your injuries taken care of? Did we miss anything?"

"No. The injuries look worse than they are. The doctors and the security were there, so it didn't get too bad." Cheryl shook her head, seeming weaker than the last time I saw her, tears silently streaming down her face, "I want a divorce, but he won't agree..."

I sighed. "Don't worry, I'll figure something out."

Allen wasn't like Bryant. Getting a divorce from him shouldn't be as complicated.

But first, I had to ensure Cheryl's safety, ensuring she wouldn't get hurt again.

Cheryl looked at me, her eyes filled with guilt, as she clung to my hand, "I'm sorry, Jane, for all this trouble."

"We're family. Why talk like that?" I shook my head, then began peeling an apple for her. Seeing that she was getting sleepy, I prepared to leave.

Cheryl called out as I reached the hospital room's door, "Jane..."

I turned back. Seeing the struggle and hesitation on Cheryl’s face, I approached her again, asking softly, "What is it?"

"You..." Cheryl paused, her hand clenched into a fist on the blanket, tears flowing again. After a long moment, she seemed to make a difficult decision, "I... I have something for you."

Confused, I asked, "What is it?"

Instead of answering, Cheryl got out of bed with my help and lifted the mattress, retrieving a small cloth pouch.

She carefully opened it, taking out a rabbit-shaped pendant. Though the string had slightly faded, the pendant itself was clearly of considerable value, not something you'd find in recent markets.

Cheryl put it around my neck carefully. "Jane, be sure not to lose this..."

I tried to turn it down. "This is too valuable. I can't accept it..."

"It's yours." Her gaze was firm yet full of unsaid words, finally saying, "Trust me. It's right."

Hesitantly, I asked, "Is this... from my parents?"