Chapter 144: Excessive
Man, my heart's always been a softie. Growing up together, the old folks' tears and pleas, Brad's sad back—it all felt like chains, trapping me with no way out.
So, on the fifth morning, I walked into the hospital room, and there was Emma, eyes all red, grabbing my hand and bawling. She said, "Jane, please, save Daniel. Yeah, he's done you wrong, but he cares about you. He likes you. Can you forgive him? Get back with him like before; only you can save him."
I knew it. The thing I dreaded most was here.
But no way. Why should I clean up Daniel's mess? Why should I let others control my life?
I got Brad now. I wanna be with Brad.
If I go back, what then? What about Brad? What about my new life with him?
I told her, "Emma, there's nothing between me and Daniel. The one I love now is Brad. Even without Brad, I could never be with Daniel. You know what happened. I'm Helen's daughter too. Why should I forgive him after all he did to me?"
Emma wasn't having it. She kept saying I should forgive him and save him, saying if anything happened to Daniel, she couldn't live either.
I had no clue how Brad felt hearing all this. Emma was so hung up on Daniel, even if it meant Brad's happiness was on the line. How would Brad feel about that?
Emma wouldn't let go. She kept pushing Brad's hand away as he tried to stop her, crying, "Jane, Brad will be fine without you, but Daniel will die. You don't want him to die, right? You used to like him so much; you can't let him die, right? So help me save him. Daniel can't just die; he's still so young. Jane, I'm begging you."
I bit my lip, refusing to agree. I said, "The one I love is Brad. You can take anything else from me, but my love? That's all Brad's. I can't give it to Daniel."
Emma's ask was just too much this time.
She still wouldn't give up until Hugh came back and pulled her away, letting me get out of there. But Emma kept nagging me to get back with Daniel.
Brad took me out of the hospital room. We stood on the terrace, facing the cold wind, both feeling like crap.
Brad held me tight, smoking one cigarette after another.
Soon, there were over a dozen butts at our feet, ash everywhere, just like our hearts, torn to pieces.
My heart was shaking. I turned around and hugged Brad's waist. "Brad, I don't wanna leave you. Don't push me away."
Brad held me tight, kissing my forehead and brows over and over. His voice was all broken in the wind. "You're my life. How could I push you away? Don't be scared; I'm here."
I needed to go home. Brad said he'd take me. His tired face and the frustration in his eyes made me feel guilty for making him worry.
I took a cab home alone.
Ronan and Helen were back, cooking dinner in the kitchen. Hearing me open the door, they both came out to greet me.
"Dad, Mom." I flopped onto the sofa, feeling totally drained.
"What's up, Jane? If something's bugging you, spill it. We'll figure it out together. Don't stress." Helen pulled me into a hug, gently patting my back.
Helen's hug was so warm. I wished I could just stay there forever, avoiding all the crap outside and the problems I had no clue how to fix.
"Mom, Daniel's still out cold. Emma says only I can save him. She wants me to dump Brad and get back with Daniel."
"How can Emma say that? Jane, tell us what you really want."
"I don't want to, Mom. I want to be with Brad."
Ronan patted my hand lovingly, saying they'd back any decision I made. But my heart was too heavy, and even Ronan's warmth couldn't comfort me.
"Jane, you're our only daughter. Our biggest wish is for you to be happy. Daniel's situation isn't your fault; it's got nothing to do with you. Just follow your heart. We'll always have your back."
I held back my tears, said I was tired and wanted to sleep, and went to my room.
I knew Ronan and Helen felt for Hugh and Emma and cared about Daniel.
After all, we'd lived together for over twenty years. If needed, Ronan and Helen would do anything to keep Daniel safe.
But when it came to my life, Helen and Ronan definitely wanted me to be safe and happy.
Back in my room, I curled up on the bed and messaged Lillian and Mia on Facebook, telling them what was going down.
Mia was the first to comfort me, then she tore into Daniel.
"What was he doing all this time? Now that he's been dumped, he says he likes you. In my opinion, he just doesn't want you but can't stand seeing you with someone else. He's not sick; he's just making things hard for you.
I'm telling you, Jane, don't make the wrong call.
If you hurt Brad, such a good guy, you'll regret it. Don't end up like Daniel."
Of course, I wouldn't do anything stupid.
Lillian focused on Emma's side. "Isn't Brad her son? How could she be so biased? Jane, all those years you were chasing after Daniel, I couldn't stand it.
You probably didn't know, but a few times I saw Brad standing outside the school fence, secretly watching you. I was young then, too, and always thought he was there to see Daniel. Now I get it, he was actually watching you.
Brad loved you but never had the chance to say it. How painful it must have been for him.
No wonder he never came back. Watching the girl he loved be with his own brother must have been torture. I couldn't handle it, not even for a day.
Don't be fooled by Daniel's current state. Even in his coma, he's thinking about you. But once he wakes up, if Zoe comes back or he meets another girl, you'll be the one who gets hurt again.
Jane, don't worry about so much. You're not a superhero. Let go of everything about Daniel. Really, apart from Ronan, Helen, and Brad, no one else matters that much to you."
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