On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 63

“How dare you!” Kevin repeated, sputtering with rage.

Jessica was about to hang up when he suddenly asked, “Are you at Lakeview Heights right now?”

She didn’t answer.

“Jessica, I’m your father. I would never do anything to hurt you,” he said, his tone shifting. “Stop fighting with your sister. Just be a good homemaker, stay out of things, and let Lance handle the outside world. He’ll never let you want for money. Isn’t that a good life?”

Jessica scoffed. “You’ve really got it all figured out, don’t you? I give Lance a child, and Catherine acts as his mistress on the side. That way, you have a double guarantee with the Smith family, right?”

Her words struck a nerve, leaving him speechless for a moment. “I’d love to rely on you, but can I? All you ever think about is your husband and your child. Have you ever spared a thought for your father? In all the years you’ve been married to Lance, you haven’t brought as many projects to this family as Catherine has in the last two! You’re useless, a complete fool!”

Jessica took a deep breath, trying to control her anger.

He barreled on. “If you were half as smart as Catherine, I wouldn’t have to bet both my daughters on one man!”

“Kevin Brown,” she said, her voice trembling with disgust, “you make me sick.”

“You have to play the hand you’re dealt,” he retorted. “You don’t understand the sacrifices I’ve had to make. Besides, what successful man doesn’t have a flock of women around him? It’s better that your husband shares his money and resources with your sister than with some random woman off the street.”

“I don’t have a sister,” she seethed. “My mother only had one child. I don’t want to argue about the rest. I want Willowbrook Gardens. Give it back, Kevin, or you’ll see what happens.”

Jessica checked herself and Amy into a hotel near Willowbrook Gardens.

As they entered the room, Amy pouted. “Mommy, this room is really small. Are we really going to find interesting things here?”

Jessica took her daughter’s hand. “Amy, how about you go on a hunt? See if you can find where the slippers are hiding.”

Amy’s eyes brightened. On previous hotel stays, a butler had always been there to greet them, kneeling down to place the slippers on her feet the moment they walked in. She’d never had to find them herself before. Delighted, she scurried off on her treasure hunt.

Jessica walked to the window. In the distance, she could see Willowbrook Gardens, and she stared at it, lost in thought. The property had always belonged to her mother. When she was little, their family of three, sometimes with her brother Gabriel, would spend weekends there. Back then, her mother was still alive, her father was still a good man who loved her, and her brothers adored her.