No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"Felicia, just take a deep breath and hear Herschel out," Jacqueline soothed me.

Herschel adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "Felicia, would you believe me if I said I never intended to take your dad's life?"

Lord had made his intentions clear, and now Herschel wanted to backtrack?

I was all ears now.

"Your dad had a knack for business that I couldn't match. But he wanted to go solo, not partner up. I knew if he got involved, Seabreeze City would be his oyster," Herschel paused for a moment.

"Everyone's selfish by nature. So, back then, all I felt towards your father was jealousy and resentment. It felt like he was looking down on me, wanting to make a fortune all by himself."

"Just when I was fuming over his refusal to join forces, he landed that contract with Lord. I was vying for it too, but out of everyone, he was the one who succeeded. It just proved his extraordinary business acumen all over again."

"I knew that contract was a stepping stone to success. Driven by jealousy and the desire to win, I thought about taking that project from him."

Herschel took off his glasses, shaking his head, "So, I had someone scare your parents into giving up the partnership with Lord. But, the person took matters into their own hands to 'solve' the problem permanently."

ran cold as Herschel

am the reason your parents are gone. Despite my success, I've been living with this guilt..." I cut him off before he

faltered as he nodded slightly. At this point, Jacqueline chimed in, "Felicia, it's not entirely like that. We genuinely care for

the same as Conrad's, I scoffed, "You're only looking out for me because I might

have selfish thoughts, but our affection for you is

bought with my parents' lives, their way of

now rest in peace," Herschel looked genuinely

Tears streamed down Jacqueline's

tormented by his conscience for ten years, barely sleeping, often waking up in terror.

that doesn't bring my parents back. Their lives were cut short because of your selfishness,"

of losing my parents

nothing I say now

е

any punishment or demands you