CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE*In fact at this point, everything that has been happening from the start of today, has been a nightmare... *The door tugged open and it was as though it took an eternity to open and reveal the one person she's been dying to see. "Hi, honey." His voice was barely croaking out. She clenched her fists and fought back a shrill cry of relief and a flood of tears. Although she did say she was prepared for the worst today she had never for once expected things to take one hell of a drastic turn as they did. How her father suddenly landed in a hospital, looking like this... Was beyond her and she was still grappling to face reality. Only she had wished this was a nightmare. Seeing her father looking so pale and out of breath shattered her and her fear resurrected all again. That fear of losing someone very dear to your heart. A family and the only family you have in this world that you simply can't afford to lose. It reminded her of that awful moment s
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED NINETY-SIX*Her whole life was about to be turned upside down.... *"Matt is a great guy, Janice. I'm sure if you two get together, the blinders in her eyes will fall off and you will come to realize how nice and responsible he is. The problem is, you have been holding on to his former self-your childhood. He is a mature man now and he is so serious about you. I don't see the reason why the both of you shouldn't be together." He stroked her hand as he said, a smile on his face. Janice has barely recovered from the tragic news and now this? She gaped at him unable to form a coherent sentence in her head. Can someone please tell her what the actual fuck is going on here?! Is this really the father that had brought her up, nursed her, cared for her, and given her everything she had ever wanted? Her father had always said that he would never bring her up like his father did. He would never become a domineering father like his own was. He would never impose hi
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN *Everything's so messed up!*"Nothing is going to happen to your fashion company. while you are married to Matthew, although he takes over, you are still the rightful heir to the property. He will be your legal trustee as per your spouse in marriage, to manage the property and business on your behalf. The business will still bear the Jordans. So there is nothing practically to lose here. I don't see anyone who would be as genuine as Matt really because every guy that may be showing interest in you is most likely after our wealth so you ought to be cautious." She gulped. Could Drake be after her wealth? She doubted it because he had shown no interest in their wealth and he wouldn't look at her sometimes, always aloof and inscrutable. But that's far from it. Drake saved her time without a number and he had always been there for her and even advised her to take the family's business seriously. He bodes well... Although she may not know so much
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED NINETY-EIGHT *Between the Devil and the deep blue sea*"Dad... C'mon this is certainly no time to be keeping secrets from me." Janice pleaded as she gingerly reached for her father's hands and took them into hers. He has been going through a lot lately. She could feel it. As much as she was disappointed in her father for making a such brash decision that is pivotal in her life, He was still her Dad. And he had been fighting alone all this time, trying to give her the best life and protect her. But now... It is her time to protect him. He's been through a lot and no matter what, he remained her father. He stiffened against her touch and puffed out a resigned deep breath. There was no use hiding the truth from her again... Not in this condition anyway. "Darling... The truth is, I have an underlying health condition." Janice's heart flipped at the same time her mouth widened in shock. "What?! Oh my God! How long has this been for and what medical condition
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED NINETY-NINE*"Some things are better left unsaid."*Janice couldn't still believe her ears. What the hell is going on here?! She swallowed. "Dad, are you being dead serious right now?! " she screeched. "You are going to make me choose?! What happened to my happiness and what I really what." He knew things were not going to be easy. Her reaction was only expected after all. She won't understand the gravity of what she might be doing to herself if she doesn't accept. The Castle family is the only person he could trust with his daughter's security and no one else. So it was only better she got engaged with her childhood friend who happened to be his best friend's son. That way, the continued relationship between the Jordans and Castle will be bolstered through marriage. He was too wary to allow her just to engage with a random person, who might be probably after his wealth or on a mission to harm his family. At this point, it would be too dangerous to just t
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED *It's about time to speed things up.*As soon as she flung the door open, everyone sprung up on their feet and rushed to her. "Janice! How is he?!" Matt and George, his father, asked in unison. She swallowed. It had been a long conversation back in there; a lot of hurt, anger, frustration, shock, and sadness. In fact, it was a turbulent mix of emotions inside that room. Her father had revealed the truth well, as far as she now knows. But still... What was she going to do? She was as good as hopeless. Her gaze flickered to Drake standing on the other side. He didn't want to interrupt them. Was he so damn oblivious to the fact that she loves him? Or he was simply playing the ignorant? Whichever the case, she may be forced to keep her feelings a secret for the time being. If only she could send the message through telepathy right now... "How is your father doing?"Mr George asked, his wary amber eyes swiping all over her face. She smiled weakly and no
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED-ONE *"speaking of the devil..." *"Oh, my God!!!!!" Hannah's shrill voice echoed through the room from the phone held by Janice. "When did this happen and I didn't know?!" She shrieked in shock. Janice had rushed home and she was slumped on her couch in her bedroom. Her eyes flickered to the wall clock in her room. Damn! It's pretty late. The time read: 10:23 pm.It's been a long hard day for her after all. "I didn't want to disturb your sleep or ruin your day. You must have had a long day at work and I could only make things far worse for you." "I told you already Janice... Your pain is my pain to bear as well. So don't you ever for once think that you are being a nuisance to me or something. I will always be there for you. Always...." Hannah said softly. Janice inhaled deeply and puffed out a deep breath. She narrated everything that had transpired. Hannah was stupefied to talk for the next couple of minutes after Janice was done narrating the ord
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED -TWO *He just can't wait to have Janice as his bride.*"What the hell are you doing here?! At my house at such an ungodly hour Matt?!" Janice's shrill voice echoed in the dead of the night as she stood at the door with a glare on her face. Matt held up his hand with a smile plastered on his face. "C'mon now... I just wanted to check up on you considering everything that had happened. You need someone by your side and I am the right person for that." Mr George stepped forward, offering Janice a doleful smile. "Relax Janice. I am as depressed as you are about your father. He is after all my best friend and I feel bad about his present predicament. Your father never hesitated to help me when I'm in trouble and I would like to return the favour by making sure you are alright." Janice heaved out a deep breath in resignation. No matter how much she loathes Matt, she still has respect for Mr George. "Okay but I'm fine..." "You need comfort and I'm sure my