Chapter 124


    After years with the Ferguson Group, I realized that my tangible takeaways couldn’t even fill a single


    storage box.


    It was a lot like my marriage with Bryant; three years of intimate cohabitation, sharing


    every moment, only to have it end so abruptly that a few suitcases could carry my entire existence


    away from his.


    ‘Jane.”


    Around noon, Linda knocked and entered with her phone still lit up, wearing a mixed expression,


    hesitating before speaking. “So… you know my idol?”


    She meant Mark, and I couldn’t help but smile, Yeah, didn’t I tell you? We went to college together.”


    “When did hee back?”


    “Just a little while ago.” As I packed my things, I mentioned, “I was thinking of introducing you two


    once I’m a bit less swamped.”


    “Weren’t you two at a concert together? Why didn’t you invite me?”


    Iughed off her assumption, “I got stood up that day, and just happened to bump into him at the


    venue, so we ended up going together.”


    “Really?”


    Seeing the skepticism in her eyes, I pressed, “Yeah, what’s up?”


    “Nothing, just saw some forum posts and thought you two were close.”


    She quickly stered on a smile, “So, when are you free to introduce us?”


    “Give it some time, he just started a new job, probably swamped.” And I was just exhausted.


    “Okay.”


    Her disappointment was palpable. Noticing my packing, she paused, “You’re…”


    “I’m resigning.”


    I paused, looking at her, “But, Margaret probably won’t be around the office for a while, and if she is,


    she’ll be over at the CEO’s office. You’ll be fine, don’t worry.”


    “Aren’t you taking me with you?”


    “I need to rest for a bit.”


    Hiding my difort, I softly added, “Once I get a new job…”


    “Sure, Director Webster,” she cut me off abruptly and left.


    What got into her today?


    Before I could ponder any longer, my phone rang.


    It was Allen Brown, my aunt’s husband.


    Seeing the caller ID, I was taken aback, “Hello, uncle.”


    During the years I lived with my aunt and uncle, they fought a lot. After starting college, I never went


    back to stay.


    To avoid bothering him, I’d s when he wasn’t home or just order online.


    N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I never expected a call from him.


    “Your aunt’s sick.”


    From the other end, Allen dropped this bombshell, then added, “We’re at BlessedCare Medical


    Facility. Hurry up.”


    my way.”


    Stunned, I replied, “Okay, I’m on my


    Upon reaching the hospital, I found Allen and my cousin Leroy there, with my aunt lying in the


    hospital bed.


    Seeing me, my aunt was surprised and red at Allen, “Didn’t I tell you not to bother Jane? She


    has her own life!”


    “That’s not how it works.”


    Allen, lounging in his chair, retorted, “We took her in for years. It’s only right shees to see you


    now that you’re sick.”


    “She was sleeping out on the cold balcony, afraid to touch a piece of meat at meals, and now you


    have the nerve to say you raised her?


    “I kept her from dying out there; she owes us!” Allen’s agitation was evident as his keys jingled


    loudly.


    I bit my lip, then replied, “Auntie, uncle’s right. I should’vee.”


    “He’s right about nothing.”


    My aunt’s usual meekness was gone, reced by fiery sarcasm, “Giving out his balcony for a few


    years in exchange for a million dors and monthly allowances? And he still wants more, acting as if


    that balcony was made of gold!”


    “Cheryl Webster, don’t be ungrateful. I called her here for you. Without her, the hospital will kick you


    out tomorrow!”


    Allen, too, was getting annoyed, standing up as if he had no stake in this, “Stomach


    cancer. The doctor mentioned treatments costing either $300,000 or $500,000, leaving us


    to choose.”