All Chapters of Her Fiancé's Father's Obsession: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

JaneThe afternoon sun streamed through the windows of my apartment, casting warm light across the living room where Claire and I sat curled up on opposite ends of the couch. Julius had left early this morning for an emergency work trip to San Francisco, something about a major investor meeting that couldn't be rescheduled, and while I missed him already, it was nice to have some girl time with Claire."I'm just saying, the man proposed to you with a flash mob and fireworks," Claire said, gesturing with her wine glass. "The bar is set impossibly high now. How is he going to top that for the actual wedding?"I laughed, running my hand over my belly. Julius did not in fact propose with a flash mob and fireworks. "He'll find a way. He's been talking about hiring some famous band to play at the reception. I keep telling him we don't need all that, but you know how he is.""The man is obsessed with you. It's actually kind of disgusting how cute you two are together," Claire grinned at me

Jane"You didn't tell him." Claire observed."He doesn't need to worry about this. He's got enough on his plate.""He's going to find out eventually, you know.""I know, but not today."An hour passed, then two. The waiting room gradually emptied out as patients were either admitted or sent home. Claire went to get us coffee from the cafeteria, returning with two cups of something that barely qualified as coffee and a sandwich she insisted I eat."You need to eat something for the baby."I managed a few bites, though it tasted like cardboard in my mouth. Claire was right about the baby though. I couldn't let my stress affect my pregnancy. I put my free hand on my small bump, trying to draw comfort from the life growing inside me."Did I tell you when Maribel and I first met?" I asked suddenly. "We were in college, freshman year orientation. She spilled her entire tray of food on me in the cafeteria."Claire smiled faintly. "You've told me that story before.""She was so mortified. S

JaneMy phone rang while I was in the middle of folding laundry. Julius' shirts were spread across our bed in neat piles. I had been trying to keep busy and trying not to think about Maribel lying unconscious in that hospital bed. Julius had gotten home late last night from San Francisco, and I still hadn't told him where I spent most of yesterday. The guilt was eating at me, but every time I tried to bring it up, the words got stuck in my throat.I grabbed my phone off the nightstand, expecting it to be Claire. Instead, the screen showed an unfamiliar number with a local area code."Hello?""Hi, is this Jane Parker?" A woman's voice said. It was professional and warm."Yes, this is Jane.""This is Nurse Patricia from Memorial Hospital. I'm calling about Maribel Devlin. She's regained consciousness and is asking for you. Well, not asking exactly, but the doctor thought you’d want to know she's awake."My heart leaped into my throat. "She's awake? She's okay?""She's stable and aler

MaribelThe sound of the door slamming echoed in my ears long after Jane left. I stared at the closed door, my mouth still hanging open from the words I had been about to say, words that now seemed completely inadequate.I couldn't believe Jane had yelled at me. Sweet, gentle and doormat Jane had actually yelled at me. I didn't think she had it in her.The way she looked at me with tears streaming down her face and her whole body shaking with rage, not holding anything back and saying exactly what she thought without filter or hesitation.I had never seen her like that. In all the years I had known her, through all our ups and downs, through every fight and disagreement, I had never seen Jane Parker lose control like that. She had always been measured and calm. The peacemaker. The one who smoothed things over and found compromises.But the woman who just walked out of my hospital room wasn't that Jane. That woman had been furious and totally done with my nonsense."Well," I said alo

JaneMy heart felt like it was breaking into a thousand pieces as I listened to Maribel. She was crying. Maribel Devlin, the woman who prided herself on always being put together, always being in control, was falling apart in front of me. It was not the manipulative tears I had seen from her before, the ones designed to get what she wanted. These were raw, real and painful to witness."I'm sorry, Jane. I'm so, so sorry. For everything. For all of it. I know it doesn't change anything, and I know it doesn't fix what I broke, but I needed you to hear me say it. You deserved so much better than what I gave you. You deserved a real friend, not the toxic mess that I am."I took a step toward her, my own tears streaming down my face now. My hand reached out instinctively, though I wasn't sure what I was reaching for. To comfort her? To accept her apology? I didn't know. My mouth opened to say something, anything, because this moment felt important and fragile and like it needed words.An