RETURN OF THE FORGOTTEN BRIDE

ChapterSixteen

LANA'S POV

Richard is my son, my pride, and my greatest responsibility. But lately, it seemed like the weight of that responsibility had grown heavier, I had been constantly fighting battles to protect him—battles I hadn’t asked for. And at the center of it all was Jenna.

I stood in the expansive living room, my arms crossed, as Jenna paced furiously in front of me. Her voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like glass.

“You can’t keep me away from him, Lana! You know Richard wants to marry me!”

I shook my head, refusing to be baited by her theatrics. “Jenna, I won’t let you manipulate him any longer. He’s not in a place to make decisions like marriage right now. Richard is mentally unfit.”

Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw the true extent of her desperation. “That’s a lie! Richard loves me, and you know it. You’re just trying to control him like you always have!”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. This wasn’t just about me; it was about Richard’s well-being. “You can call it control if you like, but I call it protection. Do you even understand what he’s going through right now? The pressure, the scrutiny? And now with Natalie missing, things are worse than ever.”

Jenna froze for a moment, her expression hardening at the mention of Natalie. “Don’t you dare bring Natalie into this,” she hissed.

“Oh, I’ll bring her into it,” I countered, my tone firm. “Her disappearance isn’t just some coincidence, Jenna. The investigation is well underway, and I don’t doubt for a second that you know more than you’re letting on.”

Her face paled, but she quickly masked it with anger. “You have no proof. You’re just looking for reasons to get rid of me!”

I stepped closer, my voice dropping. “We didn’t need proof to get a restraining order against you. The courts agreed you’re a danger to Richard, and until this investigation is over, you’re not allowed within fifty feet of him.”

Jenna’s frustration boiled over, and she slammed her hand against the back of the couch. “This is ridiculous! Mother, tell her she’s wrong!”

I glanced over at Natalya, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, watching the argument unfold. To my relief, she stood and moved to my side.

“Jenna, stop this madness,” Natalya said, her voice laced with exasperation. “Lana is right. You’re not thinking clearly, and your obsession with Richard is getting out of hand.”

Jenna turned on her mother, her eyes blazing. “You’re taking her side? You’re supposed to support me!”

“I am supporting you,” Natalya replied, her tone measured. “But not like this. This fixation on Richard is unhealthy, and it’s hurting everyone, including yourself.”

Jenna let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Of course. Two mothers bonding over how to ruin my life. How quaint.”

“Enough with the dramatics,” I said sharply. “This isn’t about ruining your life, Jenna. It’s about protecting Richard from you.”

“And what about me?” she shot back, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. “Doesn’t anyone care about what I want? I love him!”

“Love?” I scoffed. “This isn’t love, Jenna. This is control, manipulation, and obsession. You don’t love Richard; you love the idea of what he can give you.”

That was true no one ever loved Richard for who he is. They all loved what the “Temple” name would offer and how it would change their lives.

Her hands clenched into fists, and for a moment, I thought she might explode. But instead, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

“This isn’t over,” she said, her voice low and menacing. “You can put up all the roadblocks you want, Lana, but I will marry Richard. No restraining order, no investigation, and no scheming mothers will stop me.” she said locking eyes with mine.

I was scared of her at that moment but I was determined to protect my son.

“Try it,” I replied coldly. “You’ll only prove exactly why we’re right to keep you away from him.”

Jenna stormed out, slamming the door behind her. The silence that followed was heavy, but it was also a relief.

I turned to Natalya, my shoulders sagging. “Thank you for standing with me. I wasn’t sure you would.”

Natalya sighed, looking weary. “Jenna is my daughter, Lana, but even I can see she’s lost her way. She needs help, but she refuses to accept it.”

“We’ll get through this,” I said, though I wasn’t entirely sure I believed it. “For Richard’s sake, we have to.”

Natalya nodded, but the worry in her eyes mirrored my own. Jenna wasn’t going to give up easily, and the road ahead promised to be anything but smooth.

Still, as long as I had breath in me, I would fight to protect my son from her. No matter what it took.

JENNA'S POV

I slammed the door behind me as I stormed out of the room, my heels clicking furiously against the tiled hallway floor. My blood boiled with every step I took, and the sound of my mother and Lana’s voices still echoed in my ears. They had no right—no right—to dictate my life or decide what was best for me.

Richard belonged to me, and no one was going to stop me from marrying him. Not his meddling mother, definitely not my spineless one, and certainly not some useless restraining order.

As I reached the foyer, I paused to catch my breath, trying to calm the rage swirling inside me. That’s when I saw him leaning casually against the wall—Caleb. His presence was unexpected, but there was something about the smirk on his face that made me stop in my tracks.

“Rough day?” he asked, his voice dripping with mock sympathy.

“Caleb, what do you want?” I snapped, not in the mood for his games.

He straightened up and took a few steps toward me, his hands in his pockets. “Actually, I’m here for you.”

I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms over my chest. “What are you talking about?”

“I heard the little shouting match in there,” he said, jerking his head toward the door I had just exited. “Lana and Natalya ganging up on you? Typical. I figured you might need someone in your corner.”

I narrowed my eyes, unsure of his intentions. “Why would you care?”

“Because I can’t stand Richard,” Caleb replied bluntly, his smirk fading into something colder. “He’s had everything handed to him on a silver platter his whole life, and he doesn’t even appreciate it. Meanwhile, people like us have to fight for what we want.”

His words struck a chord. It was true—Richard’s privileged life had always grated on me, especially when he had the audacity to hesitate about marrying me. He should have been grateful I even wanted him.

“What are you saying?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“I’m saying I’ll help you,” Caleb said, his voice lowering conspiratorially. “Whatever it takes to get Richard under your thumb, I’m in. You want him? You’ll have him. And Lana and Natalya? They won’t know what hit them.”

I tilted my head, studying him carefully. Caleb had always been an opportunist, but there was something in his tone that felt genuine. Maybe it was the sheer disdain he had for Richard, or maybe it was the fact that, for once, someone was on my side. It was more of the latter than the former.

“And what’s in it for you?” I asked cautiously.

Caleb shrugged. “Satisfaction. Seeing Richard lose everything will be enough for me. But if you want to throw some perks my way once you’ve got what you want, I won’t say no.” he smiled deviously

I considered his offer. It was risky, but I needed allies—desperately. Lana and Natalya were circling me like vultures, and the investigation into Natalie’s disappearance was closing in. If I was going to come out on top, I needed someone willing to get their hands dirty.

“Fine,” I said finally, extending my hand. “You’re in.”

Caleb grinned, shaking my hand firmly. “You won’t regret this.”

As I walked away, a small smile tugged at my lips. Maybe things weren’t as bleak as they had seemed in that suffocating room. With Caleb by my side, I had a new weapon in my arsenal. And with or without Lana and Natalya’s approval, Richard would be mine.

No one crosses Jenna and wins and this was something they had to know