“I leave it all up to you if that’s the case! You’re a big girl now so it’s time you make life choices on your own.
“My only hope is that you remember you have a home today no matter what happens. Your father and brother will always be your safety net to fall back on. Do you understand?”
Janet’s tears silently rolled down her cheeks.
Burying her head in her father’s embrace, she wailed and nodded.
“I understand.”
Feeling a little assured, Father Hancock gently patted her shoulder as if soothing a young child.
He softly spoke, “Cry it out, you’ll feel better after crying it out.”
The pair chatted for a long time in the room.
The talk ended over half an hour later.
Janet’s eyes were visibly red when she came down the stairs but it was obvious that she was in a lighter mood.
Liam had been waiting for her downstairs. He came up to her as she strolled down.
“How was it?”
He lifted his arm to grab her hand and pulled her to their room.
With a smile, Janet nodded and answered, “We have made up.”
Liam raised a brow.
Pursing her lips, Janet ensued with a grin. “Dad still loves us dearly. Liam, don’t come into blows with him again, he...”
The couple had already entered their room by then.
Shutting the door behind him, Liam suddenly pulled her into his arms.
“He what? Huh?”
He lowered his head to kiss her.
Janet’s breathing was ragged, falling into the passion he dragged her in. She fumbled for words. “He’s getting old and did everything for my own good. Don’t you...”
The man suddenly chuckled in a deep voice.
He ravished her lips amid the laughter and carried her to the bed.
“Jan, I never went after him but he just won’t let me go, that’s all. I said it before, I don’t care about anything else as long as he doesn’t stop us from being together.”
Janet was quickly brought to bed.
Taken aback, she intuitively held her hands against his chest and cried, “Liam, what are you doing...”
Her words trailed off as the man had sealed her mouth.
It was yet another absurd night.
Janet could not stay in Jincheng for long the next day because she had work.
Now that the new year was over, Father Hancock and Ulric were busy with social activities during the Spring Festival and had no time to keep her company. Hence, Janet, along with the little guy and Liam returned to the capital.
On the other side, Susan had accepted a modern-day drama for Lucy after the new year. Lucy was immersed in the intense shooting.
As she did not run into Natalie during this time, there had not been a conflict between them.
Mother Katz’s illness was getting better as time went on.
Lucy took a day off halfway through the shoot to take Mother Katz to St. Petersburg Hospital for a full check-up.
Although they had a family doctor who came to the house to examine her, Lucy believed that the internationally-renowned expert who performed the surgery on Mother Katz in St. Petersburg was more reliable.
Joel chimed in.
“Yes, yes, mom. Don’t overthink it and just settle down in the capital. I can introduce you to a few old madams to hang out with if you’re feeling bored and cooped up at home alone.”
Joel was serious about it. He was usually busy at work while Lucy was engaged in shoots.
Mother Katz was indeed bored alone at home. There was no one to talk to apart from the maids.
She did not have friends over here, let alone anyone to go out and hang out with.
With that in mind, Joel felt guilty.
It was all his fault. He seemed to have overlooked this for such a long time.
Lucy would surely be heartbroken if Mother Katz were to really leave.
Mother Katz let out a gratifying smile at the sight of the couple in pins and needles.
“You two have misunderstood.”
She sighed. Her complexion lit up with a gentle and calm grin.
“I’m getting old. For starters, my body is having a hard time getting used to the colder weather in the capital situated in the north. Secondly, I have resided in the south for over a decade and have grown accustomed to life there. I was really worried about Jan so I came over.
“However, my mind is finally at rest to see you two happy and in love with each other.
“I don’t want to spend the later half of my life tied down to my children. I feel much more open after defeating the illness.
“Although I don’t know how many more days I have in my life, I always hope to live it to the fullest even if there’s only a day left.
“At least, it would make my journey on earth worthwhile and live up to your efforts of pulling me from going into the white light.”
The room fell silent following Mother Katz’s statement.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Spoiled by the President