No Way Back (Jane and Hugh) by Anna Mac novel Chapter 420

Chapter 420
“If I have to guess what you heard about me, it’s that I never recovered from the death of my wife, and I completely gave up on my own life. You probably thought that I just sat around waiting for death, like a good-for-nothing.”
“I’m afraid you won’t be able to hear any positive comments about me from Hugh. But I don’t blame him… I’m an incompetent father. I don’t have the ability to protect him at all. It’s only right that he *********me. Other than giving him life, I haven’t given him anything else. Only endless pain.”
Levi laughed self-deprecatingly and glanced at Jane.
“Miss Fowler, I’ve already heard about you and Hugh. I’m sincerely happy that Hugh was able to find a great girl like you. I can see the shadow of my wife in you.”
“Mr. Croft, since you’ve already told me so much, it means that you don’t want to put on a fake mask in front of me at all. Can you tell me the truth? Hugh has always been in pain because of the cold father-son relationship between the two of you. Even though he didn’t say anything, I can tell how much he’s hurting!”
Levi remained silent for some time.
He did not seem to be in a hurry to answer Jane’s question.
He merely filled her cup with tea again.
Then, he drank one cup after another.
*********with Jane’s intense curiosity, Levi finally put down his fifth cup and took the initiative to speak.
“Miss Fowler, after I found out about your relationship with Hugh, I’ve always wanted to see you, but there was no suitable opportunity. To be able to bump into you at Santio Church today, perhaps it’s really fate. You’re right. In front of you, I’m completely different. I don’t intend to hide anything from you.”
“Back then, Tabitha, also Hugh’s mother, died while giving birth to him. That day was the end of the world for me. My life collapsed with a bang and I fell into an endless sadness. I lost all my drive and all my confidence. I lost the courage to
survive.”
“When Tabitha first became pregnant with Hugh, we yearned for a beautiful and happy future. All of this became meaningless after her death. What was even worse at that time was that I had been too rash. In order to fight for the position of the head of the Croft family, I offended many people at D. Y. Group, including my brothers who had been spying on me in secret
“I was like a tiger that had lost all of its teeth and fallen seriously ill. I had completely given up on myself. Even if I wasn’t somehow framed and kicked out of the Croft family, I would still have died in an accident. How could I possibly have protected Hugh when I was in that state? He would not have made it to adulthood.”
Jane was surprised after hearing Levi’s words.
She remained speechless for a long time.
Then, she suddenly thought of something. “Mr. Croft, are you the reason why Hugh’s grandmother accepted him back then?”
“I begged her to do it. My parents did not want to see their sons scheme against each other, but they both knew that if they did not choose the most suitable person to inherit D.Y. Group and become the head of the family, it would be the end of our bloodline. My brothers were not the only people eyeing the inheritance. There were many other unrelated people who had joined forces to steal what was ours.”
“My parents have always been aloof to me and my brothers. They felt that whoever could survive the ********war was most qualified to become the leader of the family. I told my *********that I would give up the position of the Croft family’s successor and not fight with anyone. Of course, my brothers wouldn’t believe me, so I signed an agreement with my parents and handed Hugh over to them.”
“Because I knew that only they could unlock Hugh’s potential. Hugh is different from me. He can’t live with his useless. father for the rest of his life. One of the terms of the agreement was that I voluntarily give up all my rights as Hugh’s father. No matter what my parents chose to do with Hugh, I could not interfere.”
“If there were any violations, they would immediately kill Hugh as punishment.”
Jane remained silent.
She thought to herself, “Has Hugh always lived like this?”
“It sounds so tiring.”
The Croft family was, to a certain extent, even darker than the Fowler family. Their family was just filled with despair. There was no light to speak of.
At the very least, all the Fowler family did to Jane was abuse her. Whereas for their seven sons and Madelyn, who was an
adopted daughter, Jane’s parents did their best to protect them and give them the best in life.
In the Fowler family, the Croft’s family wanton way of doing things would never be allowed.
Jane did not doubt that Victor Croft would kill Hugh if he needed to.
Jane had seen all kinds of dark things happen in influential families.
The interests of the family and the future were above everything.
For their family’s reputation, they could give up everything.
Including the lives of their own descendants.
Their descendants were nothing more than stepping stones.
But it was different when Jane knew that this had happened to someone important in her life.
She could not help but feel an intense heartache for Hugh.
“Mr. Croft, since you can tell me these things, why didn’t you tell Hugh? If you were worried about Victor Croft attacking Hugh in the past, it’s not the case anymore. Now that Hugh is the head of the Croft family, you don’t have to be afraid anymore!”
“If Hugh knew your good intentions, he would definitely be very happy!”
“Miss Fowler… Hugh lived with my parents for such a long time. How old was Hugh then? Can you guarantee that they didn’t keep some sort of insurance for themselves? I know them too well. If I tell Hugh about this, his life will be in danger!” Levi sighed heavily.
For so many years, he had watched Hugh gaze at him with anticipation.
Levi’s heart had never ached more.
He wanted to tell Hugh the truth more than anything else.
But Hugh was Levi’s most beloved child. He would give up his life for Levi.
Hugh was Levi’s own flesh and blood.
As Hugh’s biological father, Levi had failed to fulfill his duty. He could not bear to see Hugh’s expectations turn into disappointment, or watch his son lose all hope.
Levi could never tell Hugh about the truth. He did not have the courage to gamble on Hugh’s life just because he wanted his son’s forgiveness.
“So… Miss Fowler, let me, a father who has failed in his duties, beg you. The reason why I told you everything is because you are the woman Hugh loves deeply. My son is passionate like me. This is also the thing I’m most proud of.”
“Please, if you and Hugh really get to the point of being together forever, please treat him well. You’re the only one in his empty world now. If he loses you, I can’t even imagine what that kid will become…