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.

did he mean, his life wouldn’t change? What about

to toss her and Dorothy aside after

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 thought about what she’s like? Do you think she’ll let you off

and a mother who’s always been there for

believe she’ll side with

for ourselves, but now… are you really prepared to leave your fate in someone

suddenly put down his glass, making up his mind, “The Myers estate must be

Pearl had a point.

you could ensure the outcome

worried about you,” Pearl sighed, feigning helplessness. “Since falking to

2.V

sit back and rely

If it came down to just Ramona

playing the protective husband,

downstairs, Victor asked, “Dorothy hasn’t been home

going on a trip abroad with some girlfriends. Probably lost track of time having

hope she doesn’t get

happen. She checked in with me

Victor left for the Myers Group, Pearl breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately contacted Josiah, desperate for

Josiah was equally frustrated.

the shadows. Now, with his daughter still under Gregory’s control and the old man’s poison cured, the Myers