No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

I knew Herschel and Jacqueline treated me like their own. But ever since I stumbled upon that contract, a nagging doubt crept in every time I faced them. I wanted to get the doubt out of my mind. I wanted to love them openly and accept their love without reservations.

Lord chuckled, "Like father, like daughter."

His words stopped me cold. He had just claimed he couldn't remember my father. He was lying to me.

Why?

I caught my breath, my fingers digging into my palm.

Then, Lord scoffed lightly, "Herschel mentions him every chance he gets. How could I forget a man I only met twice over a decade ago?"

My throat tightened. "Herschel talks about my dad... why?"

Lord stood, and a bodyguard approached, but Lord stopped him with a gesture. He walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lush lawn. "What do you think Herschel would talk about your dad, Felicia?"

'Classic Herschel, always playing his cards right.' I thought. I had no clue what Herschel might have said, and I dared not speculate.

I stood up and joined Lord by the window. "Herschel was one of my dad's only friends."

Lord didn't respond, his gaze fixed outside.

I, too, looked out at the green lawn,

its tranquility and beauty relaxing and refreshing. It reminded me of the expansive plains my parents took me to. Even though we weren't wealthy, they ensured we traveled every year. They avoided big cities, finding no charm in concrete and steel. Instead, they sought the

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Plains, deserts, seas, and barren lands were vivid in my memory. The green lawn brought memories of the west grasslands, staying in a yurt, drinking sheep's milk, and eating lamb.

"Dad always said he'd take me to see the world's landscapes," I shared.

But he was gone, and I had lost any desire to travel. With the Wagner family, I declined whenever Herschet and Jacqueline planned a trip. Traveling had become the deepest scar in my heart, one I feared to touch, afraid of unsealing the pain.

"Felicia, as you're thinking of your dad, someone else is, too," Lord finally spoke.

I listened, holding my breath.

"Whether your dad's accident was foul play, I can't say, but it had nothing to do with Herschel," Lord cut straight to the chase, providing the answer I sought.

I remained silent, wondering why he sounded so sure. Asking more could cast a shadow between me and Herschel. Even though Lord was speaking, it felt like Herschel was watching through him.

"After your dad's accident, Herschel

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wanted to pull out of the deal. But I knew the contract meant a lot to both of them, and I wanted that partnership. I went to Herschel- several times until I finally convinced him that abandoning the contract would mean your dad's death was in vain." Lord's revelation was

unexpected, tightening my heart.

"Felicia, Herschel isn't the type to harm others for money nor betray a friend. Why would I, an old man, associate with someone like that?" Lord's reasoning eased my heart.

Even though I doubted Herschel, my biggest fear was the possibility of his involvement.