When Love Breaks by Jack

Pearl could read Victor like one of those open books scattered across the coffee table, the kind with dog-eared pages and faded covers. His gloomy face was a dead giveaway – the guy had clearly struck out. She knew Gregory all too well; with Dorothy under his thumb, there wasn’t much hope for a happy ending.

Her heart was racing, yet she had to play it cool, softly asking Victor, “Did Mom give you a hard time again?”

She even handed him a glass of water, trying to smooth things over, “She’s getting on in years, try not to take it to heart.”

Victor scowled as he accepted the water, downing it in one go, but it did little to quell the storm brewing inside him.

Pearl continued, “But her being your mom and totally ignoring how you feel, that’s not fair, is it?”

“And about inheriting the Myers estate, I wouldn’t have said anything if it was just up to her, but handing it over to Jane Webster? Given how tight she is with her mom, and how she barely knows you, she migh already be onto us for backstabbing Bella Taylor. Once she gets control of the Myers estate, kicking us out in revenge would be a piece of cake.”

“I can handle a rough patch, stand by you, but you’ve been living the high life for so long. How are you going to face everyone? What will your business partners and friends think?”

Despite his frustration, Victor retained a sliver of reason, “Jane said that if she takes over the Myers estate, my life won’t change.”

If that was really the case, he could live with it…

After all, if Ramona insisted on passing the Myers estate to Jane, what could he do?

Pearl’s eyes flashed with malice at his words.

he mean, his life wouldn’t change? What

her and Dorothy aside after one meeting with

said, “You’re just going to take her word for it? Even assuming Jane is kind-hearted enough to do that, what about Bella? Have you

a mother who’s always been there for her, whom

believe she’ll side with you

now… are you really prepared

his glass, making up

Pearl had a point.

you could ensure

just worried about you,” Pearl sighed, feigning helplessness. “Since falking to Jane won’t change anything, I guess we’ll

2.V

wasn’t about to sit back

it came down to just Ramona

Gregory playing the protective husband, ten Victors

downstairs, Victor asked, “Dorothy hasn’t been home for days.

going on a trip abroad with some girlfriends. Probably lost

hope she doesn’t get

won’t happen. She checked in

breathed a sigh

Josiah was equally frustrated.

his daughter still under