Lost Me Gained Regret

After years with the Ferguson Group, | 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 | couldn't help but smile, Yeah, didn’t | tell you? We went to college together.”

“When did he come back?”

“Just a little while ago.” As | packed my things, | 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?”

| laughed 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, | pressed, “Yeah, what's up?”

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

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

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

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

“I'm resigning.”

| 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.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Aren't you taking me with you?”

“| need to rest for a bit.”

Hiding my discomfort, | softly added, “Once | get a new job...”

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

What got into her today?

Before | could ponder any longer, my phone rang.

It was Allen Brown, my aunt’s husband.

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

During the years | lived with my aunt and uncle, they fought a lot. After starting college, | never went back to stay. To avoid bothering him, I'd s when he wasn’t home or just order online.

| 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, | replied, “Okay, I’m on my

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

Seeing me, my aunt was surprised and glared at Allen, “Didn't | 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 ars. is only

ri t sheloomes'td ée you now that you're sick.” The content is on ! Read the latest chapter there!

“She was sleeping out on the cold balcony, afraid to KG eset

at atyneals, Gal tow you have the nerve to say you raised her? The content is on ! Read the latest chapter there!

“| kept her from dying out there; she owes us!” Allen’s agitation was evident as his keys jingled loudly. | bit my lip, then replied, “Auntie, uncle’s right. | should’ve come.” “He’s right about nothing.”

My aunt's usual meekness was gone, replaced by fiery sarcasm, “Giving out his balcony for arn @arsinO lea! one exchange fdr million dollars and monthly allowances? And he still wants more, acting as if that balcony was made of gold!” The content is on ! Read the latest chapter there!

“Cheryl Webster, don’t be ungrateful. | 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.”