, Her words were sincere, and her loneliness was palpable. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been at odds with me one moment and seeking friendship the next.,

"I don't have many friends. Mr. Clark forbids it, but I can tell he treats you differently, so... if I become friends with you, he might not mind,

" Shirley approached me with a hopeful look., I didn't respond.,

"Felicia, I really mean no harm. I just want to be friends. Plus, Nancy adores you; she's mentioned you a few times,

" Shirley brought up her daughter, trying to appeal to me.,

"I get it. You might not think highly of someone like me. Then, consider it for Nancy's sake, please?

" Shirley's earlier arrogance had vanished, replaced by a hint of desperation, almost as if she were begging.,

"I'm too busy for friends,

" I still refused., It wasn't about being cold-hearted, but getting entangled with Mr. Clark's affairs, his woman no less, spelled nothing but trouble for me. The last thing I wanted was to wade into those murky waters., The light in Shirley's eyes extinguished like a candle in the wind, and she lowered her head with a self-mocking laugh,

"I know, I'm not worth your time.

", She tried to guilt me into relenting, but she didn't understand me. Such tactics only pushed me further away., I walked off, feeling her gaze on my back even from a distance., When Jacqueline called me in the evening,

"Felicia, did you know Rad's back?

", Thinking of the figure in the car last night, I replied truthfully,

"Yes.

",

"Has he looked for you?

" she pressed., Last night didn't really count, did it?,

"No,

" I denied,

"Jacqueline, is something wrong?

", She huffed,

"I haven't even seen him, what could possibly be wrong?

", I understood why she was calling; knowing Conrad was back but not seeing him had irritated her.,

"Jacqueline, he's probably tied up, with, to something. He'll come around, to see you later,

" I found myself, making excuses for him, as always did.,

"What's he so busy with? That widow, no doubt,

" Jacqueline was all too aware., foel, I didn't know how to respond, and she continued, clearly frustrated,

"He's lost to the charms of that young widow, forgetting his own parents. Felicia, why did I even bother having him? If I knew he'd turn out this way, I should've...,

" Jacqueline was biting her words with venom.,

"Jacqueline,

" I tried to calm her,

"Don't be upset; it's bad for your health. Mr. Wagner is sick, and you need to take care of him.

"

"Felicia, you're the only one who cares about me. If only you were my daughter,

" Jacqueline lamented.,

"Jacqueline, I am your daughter,

" I tried to comfort her., Jacqueline sighed, fully aware it was just a polite gesture. If I were truly their child, I'd be by Herschel's side day and night.

"Felicia, don't bother with him, nor try to persuade him. I want to see how stubborn he can be,

" Jacqueline instructed me.,

"Okay,

" I agreed., After sighing again, she reminded me to visit Herschel when I had the chance before hanging up., When I saw Fanny, I asked,

"Has Haley been around lately?

",

"No, and I doubt she'll ever come back. Even if she does, she probably won't come to me,

" Fanny looked at me,

"Why, miss the drama?

",

"Do I look that idle?

" I shared how Conrad hadn't visited Herschel since returning.,

"Don't meddle in their business,

" Fanny advised., I knew better than to get involved, but avoiding some encounters isn't always possible. On the day of Susie's transplant, I saw Conrad in the crowd, watching. Beside me, Ernest and I held Susie's hands, our glance at Conrad brief and fleeting., As Susie was wheeled into surgery, Ernest's hand turned ice cold in mine., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.