Chapter 12 Heartless Fowlers
It was totally out of Peter’s expectations.
There wasn’t even a hint of pain coming from Jane Fowler.
His verbal attack came so suddenly, and his tone left them with no leeway.
Peter did not realize that he felt a touch of panic in the face of Jane’s heartlessness.
“I did help you back in the bar. How could you treat someone who had shown you kindness with such an
attitude?”
“That’s what I am. Did you regret helping someone ungrateful?”
Jane replied without any form of courtesy.
Jane Fowler refused to bow low to others and lived a dog’s life ever again.
Especially towards the Fowlers.
She had never owed the Fowlers anything at all.
“You!”
“Mr. Fowler, stop criticizing Jane!”
Lila could no longer hold back when she saw Peter keep pushing Jane. “Do you know how much Jane longed for her family? Why don’t you and your family think about what you have done to her that she would say something so mean?‘
Tears flowed from her reddened eyes as she spoke.
She wiped away her tears and raised her head, glaring at Peter, who was still astonished.
“I will not allow you and your family to bully Jane again.”
“You’re an asshole!”
Even a bystander like Lila felt terrible for Jane.
How could Peter Fowler, a brother related by blood, scold Jane and say so many mean words that hurt her so badly?
Jane had been missing for nineteen long years and yearned for her family’s love and protection the most at this time. Were the Fowlers heartless?
Not only did they not care for her, they even hurt her. Why would they reunite with her in the first place if they wanted to hurt her instead of caring for her? They gave her hope and pushed her into a more bottomless abyss after. She was a daughter of the Fowlers, not an enemy of the family. She was Peter’s sister by blood.
“..”
Peter was speechless.
After all, the main reason for Jane’s departure was because of the misunderstanding they had.
That was also the reason Peter was still concerned about Jane.
It was because of the guilt he had for her.
“It’s okay, Lila!”
“The Fowlers meant nothing to me now.”
Jane reached out to wipe Lila’s tears as she comforted her softly.
She was too blind in the past.
The Fowlers were more important to her than her own life, while they saw her as just a mere weed.
She had almost neglected the true friendship she originally had that others would kill for.
Peter’s heart skipped a beat when he heard what she said.
It seemed that the gentle girl always tip–toeing on eggshells and longing for her family’s love was gone for good.
“Never return to the Fowlers if you dare, Jane. Jokes on you if you regret one day.”
Peter fled in despair after landing his final words.
“I will never regret it. Never!”
Jane responded with no hesitation.
“At the same time…”
“I will not forgive!”
“I will never forgive, not now, not ever!”
“Janie.”
Lila embraced Jane, feeling sorry for her.
Tears flowed freely from her eyes.
“I had no idea I thought there would still be chances that you would return to the Fowlers. I’ve thought of persuading you to give it a second thought.
“Now, I think they really did mistreat you. They do not deserve your joy and cheerfulness.
“You must have felt terrible. Cry if you need to…”
Lila was already sobbing as she spoke before Jane managed to drop a tear.
“It’s okay, Lila. All my tears had dried up a long time ago. You’re right! They do not deserve my best.
“Only people that I take as friends deserve all my goodness. As long as I still have you by my side, I’m not without anything.”
Lila nodded between sobs and sniffles and said, “Yes! Remember this. I’ll always be by your side, Janie!” Jane helped Lila wipe off the traces of tears from her face. She couldn’t help laughing, “I’m supposed to be the one being upset. Why are you sobbing like this when I did not shed a tear?”
“I feel sorry for you. You must have cried so many times when you’re alone, and I can’t stop myself from crying when I see what you’ve gone through.”
Jane couldn’t help getting lost in her thoughts.
Lila was right.
She had shed many tears because of the Fowlers.
Even if she did, it would only invite mockery and concerns.
She always hid under the sheets and let her tears flow, hiding all her weaknesses
She was scared it would deepen the Fowlers‘ hatred for her and have her kicked out of the family if they
knew.
She had dried her eyes from shedding more tears for the Fowlers.
They never cared for her anyway.
She would only shed tears for those worthy of her to do so.
Jane sent Lila off in a taxi.
“Janie, are you sure you’re not coming home with me?”
“It’s okay, Lila. I found a place already.”
“Thanks, anyway.”
Jane gently stroked Lila’s head.
She lowered her eyes, thankful for Lila’s offer.
“You don’t need to thank me, Janie. I’ll get angry if you continue to do so.”
“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll help you in any way I can.”
Lila pursed her lips and grabbed Jane’s hand.
“I will ”
“I guess I’ll never be alone again.” Jane thought to herself
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: No Way Back (Jane and Hugh) by Anna Mac