When Love Breaks by jack

I hadn't even gotten a chance to speak when Ramona flew into a rage.

She glared at Susan, her face a thunderstorm of fury, "And who exactly gave you the right to kick people out of my house?

"Ramona, it's okay!"

I remembered Gregory mentioning how her health couldn't handle too much excitement, so I quickly tried to soothe her. I was about to leave anyway. Gregory should be bringing Ms. Myers over to meet you soon!

I felt like an outsider in what was supposed to be a heartwarming family reunion:

Ramona wanted to keep me there longer, but seeing my determination, she didn't push further My bags were already packed from the morning. I grabbed my suitcase and came back down, Susan escorted me out of the house. Once we were out of Ramona's earshot, she started speaking with a tone laced with disdain

"Don't bother coming back here for no reason. We aren't the kind to take in strays!"

"Mrs. Myers," I kept walking, not even turning to look at her, my response firm but respectful, "I know you can't stand me, thinking I'm some kind of threat to your precious daughter, being Bryant's ex-wife. But let me make this clear, I just happened to get along with Ramona by chance. Joining your family tree is the last of my concerns."

"Who knows what you're really after?"

She clearly didn't buy it, her eyes darting down to the bracelet on my wrist, "That bracelet, Ramona gave it to you, didn't she?"

"Yeah."

"Hmph!

Her derisive snort was filled with contempt, "Only a beggar would act the way you do!"

I couldn't hold back my temper any longer, my tone icy, "And what about you? Have you always been acting like a haughty bully?"

"Jane Webster!!*

Perhaps she wasn't expecting such a comeback. Just those few words had her seething, her face darkening. "Don't think you can hide behind Ramona and that I can't get to you!"

"What else do you plan on doing to me?!"

I glanced at the freshly fallen snow, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "Make me kneel in the snow again? Your darling daughter has quite a bit of dirt not publicized, doesn't she?"

Her eyes, heavily made up, glared at me, as she ground her teeth in anger, "So it was you behind last time's incident!"

"You guess?"

Dropping those words, I no longer kept pace with her, pushing my suitcase away briskly.

This was inspired by what Gregory said after he rescued me from the snow.

Regardless of whether it was me or not, she wouldn't show any mercy.

Might as well take the blame; it might actually make them think twice about crossing me, considering their reputation.

Leaving the Myers Mansion, I was about to call a cab when the butler caught up to me.

Ramona was worried and insisted he arrange for a driver to take me.

On the road out of Vista Town, my thoughts were a tangled mess.

I messaged Christine to ask if she'd landed in her holiday destination yet.

She had hoped for a romantic encounter during the getaway.

It was also because of this that I had agreed to help Gregory deal with his parents over the holidays.

Just as I sent the message, the car's radio suddenly announced, "Attention drivers on the South River Highway a major pile up between Vista Town and RiverCity has caused severe congestion. The road will be temporarily closed due to the snowy conditions. We urge all drivers to..."

The driver slowly pressed the brake, hesitating, "Ms. Webster..."

I understood, "Just take me to a nearby hotel, please. Thank you."

It was the holiday season, and with the snow and road closures, everyone wanted to hurry home for the holiday dinner.

1416 @

apter Ironically, the closest hotel was the same luxury six-star hotel Gregory had booked for me before.

I didn't bother finding another place and just checked in ending up in the same rodma's last time.

"Jane!! You're back in RiverCity?!"

Just as ! turned on the heating in my Christine's call came through. room, Christine's

"Not yet."

I sighed, a bit frustrated, "I thought I'd be back by noon, but the roads are closed."

"Thank God!" Christine breathed a sigh of relief. "Where are you you?

Send me your location."

I paused, "You're in Vista Town?"

"Yeah!"

Her voice was bright but slightly irritated, "I had a noon flight, but then I saw that jerk Gregory's news. I was ve worried he'd leave for the holidays, so I drove straight to Vista Town. I just got off the highway and checked my phone."