Chapter 29 Hated Everything About the Hargreaves Family
Amanda rolled her eyes. “Oh, Ms. Campbell, I wouldn’t dream of blaming you.”
Jennifer quickly stepped in to stop Amanda. She didn’t want anyone fighting her battles for her; honestly, Jennifer felt like she didn’t need any of this drama anymore.
As she made her way into the foyer, Daniel stormed in behind her.
“Jennifer, you still owe me an explanation about what happened at school today.”
Jennifer thought to herself, “An explanation?
I knew coming back would lead to this!
I’m so tired of all of it.
Just because I keep my cool doesn’t mean I’m okay with everything!”
She looked up at Daniel, barely containing her frustration. “Explain what? The truth was crystal clear in class. What more do
you want me to say?”
2/5
Chapter 29 Hated Everything About the Ha… Daniel’s voice rose as if she’d committed some grave offense. “Jennifer, don’t take this too far. You knew Sarah got hurt because of you. How could you back out of doing her project and even think about exposing her? That’s beyond cruel!”
With an expression devoid of emotion, Jennifer set her cane. aside and settled down on the couch. “I didn’t want to keep making the same mistake.”
Daniel was defiant. “How is this a mistake?”
From the sidelines, Amanda chimed in, “Making Ms.
Hargreaves do someone else’s homework? How is that not lying? How is that not wrong? There’s no proof that Ms. Hargreaves caused Sarah’s injury. There comes a point when enough is enough!”
Daniel’s irritation boiled over. “Amanda, that incident was clearly Jennifer’s doing. I’m talking to Jennifer; you don’t need to butt in!”
Amanda retorted, “I might be an outsider, but some folks here are outsiders, too.”
Daniel lost it. “How is that the same?”
Sarah, playing the peacemaker, spoke up, “Daniel, Amanda isn’t- entirely wrong. I really am an outsider. I shouldn’t have asked Jennifer for help on my work in the first place.”
Daniel snapped, “Don’t say that! This has nothing to do with you.”
3/5
Chapter 29 Hated Everything About the Ha…. Asher interjected as he sank into the couch, “Let it go, Daniel. Amanda is part of the family. She’s taken care of you guys for years.”
Asher’s tone was serious as he turned to Jennifer. “Look, I know you feel wronged and that’s why you’re acting out. But there’s got to be some limits, right?”
Jennifer averted her gaze, thinking, “I knew it would come to this.
They always want me to back down and accept things.”
Asher continued, “Jennifer, it’s not as simple as you think. Living with Timothy? That’s not going to do your reputation any favors.”
“He’s my fiancé,” Jennifer shot back defiantly.
“Right, but we both know that engagement is more of a business deal. Once my company stabilizes, I’m ending that engagement. I won’t let you marry someone who’s essentially helpless,” Asher said bluntly.
At the mention of “helpless,” Jennifer frowned. “Asher, he’s not as bad as you think.”
At least over the past few days, her experience with Timothy had proven he was nothing like the rumors suggested.
Asher’s tone hardened. “No matter what, you can’t keep living
Chapter 29 Hated Everything About the Ha… with him. I’ll let Daniel apologize to you for that incident!”
4/5
Asher was sure Jennifer’s outburst stemmed from the chaos of the party.
Daniel’s discomfort was palpable. “I’ll apologize, sure. But
Jennifer has to apologize to Sarah first. If I hadn’t been there today, Sarah would’ve been in serious trouble thanks to Jennifer revealing her project was a sham.”
Jennifer retorted, “For starters, I didn’t out Sarah’s cheating. And she could’ve easily redone her project today, but she chose not to because she wanted to take the one I did!”
Daniel snapped, “You think this is all Sarah’s fault? Jennifer, bring your anger to me! Sarah doesn’t owe you a thing; her mother even saved your life!”
A mocking smile appeared on Jennifer’s face as she sat in silence, saying nothing.
Asher’s voice cut through the air, stern and commanding. “Daniel, apologize to Jennifer right now.”
“I said, she needs to apologize to Sarah first,” Daniel said.
Sarah, ever the peacemaker, chimed in gently, “Daniel, it’s okay. · Jennifer doesn’t need to apologize to me. I admit I had a part in this mess, too. Why don’t you make peace with Jennifer? Can’t we just be a family again like old times?”
Asher nodded approvingly. “Sarah’s right. A simple apology
Chapter 29 Hated Everything About the Ha…. from you, as her brother, and we can all go back to being a happy family like before.”
5/5
The word “family” hit Jennifer like a slap in the face, its irony. stinging more than she expected.
She grabbed her cane. “There’s no need.”
Daniel’s face was a mask of barely contained frustration. “Jennifer, wait. I admit, pushing you down the stairs was an impulsive move. But you provoked me by shoving Sarah. I had to step in. I hope you’ve learned your lesson from all of this.”
Jennifer’s thoughts swirled with bitterness.
“Is this even an apology? They’re all talking down to me as if everything is my fault.
If I don’t accept their apology, that’ll be my fault too!
I hate this. I’ve had enough.”
Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away. Behind her, Daniel’s voice rose in indignation. “I said I’m sorry! What more do you want? Don’t push your luck!”
B
