No Way Back by Anna Mac

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.

never

responded with no

“At the same time…”

“I will not forgive!”

forgive,

“Janie.”

Jane, feeling

freely from

had no idea I thought there would still be chances that you would return to the Fowlers. I’ve thought of

really did mistreat you. They do

have felt terrible. Cry if you need

she spoke before Jane managed to

up a long time ago. You’re

people that I take as friends deserve all my goodness. As long

the traces of tears from her face. She couldn’t help laughing, “I’m supposed to be

times when you’re alone, and I

help getting lost in

Lila was right.

tears because

did, it would only invite mockery and

let

would deepen the Fowlers‘ hatred for her and have her

knew.

from shedding more tears for the

never cared for her

tears for those

Lila off

are you sure you’re

okay, Lila. I found a place

“Thanks, anyway.”

stroked

eyes, thankful for

Janie. I’ll get angry if you continue to do

know if you need anything. I’ll help

pursed her lips and grabbed

“I will ”

guess I’ll never be alone again.”

off, Jane made her way toward the riverside with both hands in her pocket, wanting

the riverside was panoramic, accompanied by the breeze from

considering the cooling weather of October in

had earlier receded

pass by lovers

she would come across a family of three

walking their dogs,

slow down, worried

felt like an

felt as if she doesn’t

Why was that so?

family something she should, at the very least, belong

kids loved

not even care when she was about to be burned

to take

had only wanted a family, and having

what they showered Madelyn. She, Jane Fowler, was, after all, the bloodline of the Fowlers, one that was

fulfilled the one humble request

undeniably part of Madelyn’s plan, she wouldn’t have succeeded

to know the truth, to feel sorry for her, and to do her justice, perhaps things

wouldn’t have escalated to the

was

the eye in that

wanted

better.

the shirt she had on tighter

started to

continued walking by the

street lights got lesser and

pedestrians were

moment, Jane stopped in