Our Accidental Forever
Chapter 97: After Big Brother’s Call.

Chapter 97: After Big Brother’s Call.

I feigned a pout, crossing my arms. "Paris was work. You were on vacation."

"Work, huh?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "Well, don’t worry. Big brother’s coming back to smother you with love. Overdose levels."

His words brought a genuine laugh to my lips. In the background, I heard our mother’s voice, faint but affectionate, calling out a message for me.

"Mom says she loves you," Grant relayed with a grin.

I smiled softly, my heart warming despite myself. "I love you too, Momma," I called out, hoping she could hear me.

"What about Dad?" I asked, noting his absence from the conversation.

Grant rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Out doing ’old man stuff’ with his new Maldives buddies. Something about catching up, I think."

I shook my head, amused despite myself. "Sounds like him."

My Dad had always been the sociable one, making friends wherever he went.

We bantered back and forth for a while, teasing each other like we always did. For a moment, I felt lighter, the tension in my chest easing as I spoke to my brother. But as the call ended and the screen went dark, my smile faded.

The darkness returned, creeping into my thoughts like an unwelcome guest. I set the phone down on the table, my fingers lingering on its surface. The bitterness was back, sharper than ever.

They didn’t understand. None of them did. The sacrifices I’d made, the lengths I was willing to go to ensure everything went according to plan.

I stared at the screen, at the picture of Kate in the penthouse. My jaw tightened, and my hands curled into fists.

This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

Ella might think she could ignore me, keep me at arm’s length, but I wasn’t about to let that happen.

---

Author’s POV:

Joanne’s fingers hovered over her phone for a moment after ending the call with her brother, her smile fading as quickly as it had appeared. She stared at the device, a storm brewing in her chest. Her darkened eyes glimmered with determination as she dialed Ella’s number, her mind racing with calculated precision.

The line barely rang twice before Ella’s voice came through, tinged with worry. "Joanne? Are you alright?"

Joanne rolled her eyes, irritation simmering just beneath the surface. If you were so worried, you would’ve called me, stupid, she thought bitterly. But her voice didn’t betray her thoughts.

"No, I haven’t been feeling fine," she said weakly, her tone deliberately soft, as though even speaking required effort.

Ella’s gasp on the other end of the line was immediate. "Oh no, Joanne! What’s wrong? Are you okay? Have you seen a doctor?" Her words tumbled over each other in genuine concern, her voice practically dripping with worry.

Joanne clenched her jaw, her irritation growing with each syllable of Ella’s anxious fretting. Why does she have to sound so sincere? she thought, hating how her attempt to manipulate the situation was greeted with nothing but genuine kindness.

"I haven’t been to a doctor yet," Joanne lied, letting out a shaky sigh for effect. "I’ve just been so tired... and dizzy. It’s been hard to even think straight."

Ella’s concern deepened, her voice almost pleading. "Joanne, you really should get checked out. This sounds serious! Do you need me to come to you? I’ll cancel my plans if you need help."

Of course, you’ll cancel your plans now, Joanne thought, the corners of her mouth curling in a sly smirk that Ella couldn’t see. But outwardly, she kept her tone demure.

"No, no, don’t worry about that. I’ll be fine," Joanne said, sighing again for dramatic effect. "Honestly, I was just... expecting to hear from you. But you didn’t call. I was starting to think maybe you were still upset with me. And haven’t forgiven me for my past behavior."

Ella hesitated, and Joanne could almost hear the other woman’s confusion. When Ella finally spoke, her voice was soft, almost hesitant. "No, Joanne, it’s not that. I’ve just been so busy with the wedding plans. I didn’t mean to... "

Busy with the wedding plans, Joanne repeated internally, her irritation spiking. But not too busy to gallivant around with Kate.

"Ah, I see," Joanne murmured, cutting Ella off before she could say more. She forced a feeble chuckle, her tone light but tinged with faux sadness. "It’s okay. I understand."

Ella’s voice grew even more apologetic. "Joanne, I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I wasn’t thinking of you. I promise, I wasn’t upset. Things have just been hectic."

"Of course," Joanne replied smoothly, though the bitterness bubbling beneath her calm tone was almost unbearable. She couldn’t help but think of the photos she’d seen, the ones of Kate laughing with Ella, enjoying the penthouse that should have been her domain.

Still, she pressed on, her voice sickly sweet. "How are you, though? And my godchild?"

Ella sighed, her voice softening. "We’re both fine. Tired, but fine. I’m so glad you called. I’ve been meaning to check in with you, but the days keep getting away from me."

"Don’t worry about it," Joanne replied, masking the smirk that threatened to creep across her face. "But... maybe you could visit? I’d really like to see you."

"Of course," Ella said quickly, her sincerity making Joanne’s skin crawl. "Drop me your address after the call, and I’ll come by tomorrow."

"No problem," Joanne said, her tone laced with false warmth. "You’re too sweet, Ella."

When the call finally ended, Joanne tossed her phone onto the couch with a sneer. "Pathetic," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

The image of Ella’s worried face, real or imagined, lingered in her mind, fueling her disdain.

Joanne leaned back into the plush cushions of her chaise, her hands tightening into fists as she stared at the darkened screen.

Ella might think she can deceive her fake little gestures of kindness and smooth over everything. But Joanne knew better. She had her plans, and Ella, along with that her Kate friend would learn soon enough just how they shouldn’t have play with her.

Follow current novels on freewe(b)novel.c(o)m