Chapter 42

Jane Hendricks hated her life.

There was a moment in time when the universe turned itself upside down and everything that made sense dissolved away into nothing. When the winds blew in cold storms and the rainbows disappeared. When facts and every truth one had ever known instantly became a lie. It was when the present became the past, and one's dreams became nothing more than childish fantasies. Where one had to watch their reality transform into a hazy smoke of nothingness and their anxieties change into fright and the revelation that nothing would ever be what it was.

This, this was what it felt like to lose the only man she'd ever loved. This is what it felt like to lose her freedom. This was what it felt like to lose her soul.

"Jane Marie Hendricks," Her mother scolded from across the room. "I know you don't need me to explain to you the importance of this marriage. Get over here and try on your dress. And please, put a smile on your face, for God's sake. You're not in jail."

The stupid wedding had been rescheduled for two weeks from now. Apparently, The Heir had returned. She still didn't bother to ask his name. Fuck him. Her in-laws had been more than happy to announce the return of their precious son and their eagerness to continue with the wedding arrangements.

Just her fucking luck.

"I already agreed to the stupid wedding," she responded dryly, her attention on the game of Candy Crush she was playing. "I don't have to do anything else."

Her mother sighed audibly and it wasn't long before she felt the bed dip with her weight. "Jane—"

"I don't want to hear it, mom." She held a hand up. "The second you both sat down to plan how to ruin my life was the second I started withdrawing from you. I will marry the fucking man. Don't ask anything more of me."

The young girl that had brought the wedding gowns swallowed awkwardly, pretending like she hadn't just heard Jane admit she didn't want to get married. Jane didn't care. If she left and sold the information to a broadcasting company, she could give a fuck.

"We're doing this for you, Jane." The exhaustion in her voice was almost touching. If Jane didn't feel so defeated, she might have felt sorry for her.

"Is that why you have me locked up?"

Her family had taken it upon themselves to constantly check up on her, taking turns to make sure she didn't run a second time. They hadn't even let her go to work. She didn't even know if her job was till hers. It was pointless. Where would she go? Sebastian? She'd shattered his heart when she told him she didn't love him. No one in their right mind would take her back.

However, the hurt and betrayal she was feeling were still raw and it ate at her cold. She would never forgive them. She would never forgive them for making her feel so helpless and defeated.

"Get out," her mother said to the girl, waiting till the door closed behind her to lash out. She turned to Jane, her nostrils flaring. "Do you understand what this could mean for the family?"

"Careful, mom. You'll ruin your make-up."

"Do you not realize how fortunate you are?"

"Fortunate?" She snarled. "Fortunate? You're forcing me to marry a man I don't even know!"

"Who is going to take care of you and your future!"

"I don't want a future with a man I know nothing about!"

"The Prices' are good people. They will love and care for you as their own."

"Which I will be since you and dad are selling me off to the highest bidder."

"Don't be ridiculous, child. Yours and your children's future will be taken care of. You'll never have to worry about anything. Our company will benefit greatly from aligning with Price Enterprise. We've worked so hard to build what we have right now and if you have to marry a fucking cripple to keep it that way, then that's what you're going to do!"

The silence that ensued was deafening. Jane felt her world crash all over her like ice water. When did it become her responsibility to shoulder the Hendricks name? When did her happiness start coming second to keeping their wealth? Everything she'd done since she could remember was for the family. When was she going to start living for her? Never, it seemed.

"That's how it is then?" She nodded, defeated. It would take a miracle to revive her fighting spirit at this point. "It's so good to know where I stand."

"Jane," her mother sighed, reaching for her. "I didn't mean it that way."

She edged back, recoiling from her touch. "I think I know exactly what you meant. Leave, please. I want to be alone."

"I reacted, without thinking. I didn't mean any of that. I'm sorry, baby. We love you, you have to know that. Everything we're doing is to ensure your future. This family is a stronghold and it will do everything in its power to see that you and your siblings are well protected."

"Just go. Please."

She refused to look at her mother. When the door closed after a few seconds, her walls crumbled and her cry roared out. She was tired. Tired of running, tired of fighting, tired of hoping. What was the point of anything? She was exhausted from all the back and forth, the hurt and the pain, the tears and not being to live life as she chose.

There was nothing else to do but give up.