With careful steps, Jane began to approach the back door.
At that time, the workers and housemaids were still busy serving the main dishes and appetizers.
Of course, Jane didn't come in through the back door. It was too dangerous for her to do so.
Jane walked through the Johnsons, and she was very close to a large window that led directly into the main dining room.
A large half-open window. Underneath, there are several flower pots arranged neatly. Jane had to get rid of some flower pots. So she could hide under the window.
Even though the window was only half open, Jane could hear the conversations of several people, among them Henry, Thomas, and Meghan.
"Jamie, I thank you for coming and your beautiful daughter," Thomas said, praising the figure of a black-haired woman who immediately gave a smile to Thomas and Henry.
"It's no big deal, Thomas. Besides, it's been a long time since we've seen each other, has it?" Jamie turned to Henry,
"Oh, I heard Henry is very good at running your company in Canada. I heard you had a little trouble there. Luckily, you have a smart son like him," said Jamie to Henry, who only replied with a small smile.
"Nicole? Now, You look so pretty," Megan complimented.
"A long time ago you and Hendry were little, and look at you now? You're so beautiful. Don't you think, Henry?" Meghan gave a signal to her son to join in praising Nicole's beauty.
"It's true what mom said. You look beautiful now," Henry's compliment sounded too flat for Meghan to clear her throat a little.
"Thanks, Henry," Nicole smiled back.
"Nichole. I heard you got into politics. You're just like your father. Aren't you afraid? You're a woman and got into politics. That's a hard decision," Meghan tried to bring up other topics to distract from Henry's attitude, which seemed impolite in her opinion.
"Oh, about that. Yes, I love a career in politics because I think if women can do it, then we can have good influence and power in the eyes of society," Nicole replied confidently.
"Wow, you're great. You're smart, beautiful, and insightful. Things that other women rarely have," Meghan continued to compliment.
"Hahaha ..! That's why I can't wait to strengthen the relationship between these two families. Henry and Nicole? You two will be very suitable as husband and wife," said Thomas.
Henry heard his father's words and suddenly let go of the spoon and fork he was holding.
He didn't think that tonight's meeting was his father's goal and planned to set him up for Nicole, the woman who was his best friend as a child.
It wasn't just Henry who was surprised. Even Jane was eavesdropping on the conversation going on in the dining room.
She clutched her mouth. It felt uncomfortable and strange when she heard her husband was going to marry another woman.
Then what about Jane's fate?
Jane accidentally bumped into some flower pots, made a loud noise, and quickly ran before anyone found her, who was eavesdropping on the conversation in the dining room.
***
After dinner, Henry and Thomas clashed again.
Henry never thought his father would be so willing to sell his son to the Stones.
He knew Stone's influence was strong and could help his family's company run. But why should Henry be the one to sacrifice?
Meanwhile, Jane couldn't do anything but surrender. She had no power at all to be able to refuse someone Thomas' request, even though Henry was her husband.
Days passed. Henry became less and less likely to see Jane in her room. Jane felt lonely at that time.
Henry doesn't know if Jane knows about the matchmaking plan between him and Nichole.
Until one night, the Johnson family was surprised by the presence of several security forces who were ready to arrest Thomas Johnson for the fraud case he had been doing for several years.
All the servants who worked were shocked by the arrival of the police in large numbers.
Likewise, Meghan is hysterical. She can't believe that her husband will be arrested and named a suspect in a fraud case.
Since then, Henry has no reason to refuse Thomas Johnson's matchmaking.
He had to do it to free his father. Henry had come to Jamie Stone to make a pact so that his father can free from some of their clients who suffered heavy losses.
But there is one condition he must fulfill, and that condition will cost him many things, including the freedom of Henry and his family.
That night at Johnson's house,
Jane was at the bedside staring at Megan, who was fast asleep.
Meghan was found unconscious after taking several sleeping pills. She intended to kill herself.
Jane had contacted Henry, and luckily, Jane was quick to provide first aid until the doctor arrived to check Meghan's condition.
After a doctor's visit and confirming that Meghan is well.
Soon Henry returned home to the Johnson family. He immediately approached his mother and stroked Meghan's hair while shedding tears.
"Mom? I beg you, don't you ever think like this again. I've saved dad. Don't worry because dad will get out of jail," said Henry sadly.
It seemed at that moment that Jane wanted to reach Henry. She wants to hug her husband. But the hand she had stretched out, she slowly pulled back.
Jane had stepped back and left Henry and his mother to talk alone.
Jane returned to her room. It seemed she had already made up her mind. She knew that Henry had accepted the match made by his father, and it was for the sake of saving his parent's life.
While crying, Jane began to put her clothes into the suitcase that night she wanted to go because she knew their relationship was no longer.
"It would be better if I go and not be a burden to this family. I.., I can't even bear to meet Henry. I can't say farewell to him," said Jane, wiping her tears.
In the middle of a lonely night, Jane finally finished packing all the things she needed. She didn't have much stuff. All she brought was a few clothes and a few bills that might be able to support his life out there later.
In the middle of the pitch-black night, Jane had ordered a taxi service, and she immediately got into the taxi.
When the car that picked her up had just arrived, Jane still had time to look around the Johnson family residence.
"I'm sorry, Henry. I can't be like this. I can't stand to see you with another woman. I'd better get out of here," thought Jane with a sad feeling.
Jane didn't know where to go. She decided to stay at a cheap inn.
That night, the silent loneliness was again her friend.
In the days that followed, Jane began to think about how she could survive.
She started applying for a job as a washerwoman in a small restaurant to increase her coffers of money to survive.
Even Jane has changed her cell phone number. She didn't want Henry to be able to reach her. She knows her decision was wrong, but this is for everyone's good.
Evenings after work, to get rid of the feeling of boredom. Jane goes to one of the nightclubs.
The first time because Jane doesn't like crowds. But the noise of the music was so loud it made Jane's mind obscured by the thoughts of those around her.
A woman with dark brown skin and dreadlocks was dancing and attracted many men who kept on approaching her.
They seemed tempted to do something else with the woman.
Jane just kept watching the woman. She felt happy when she saw that the woman could dance with a feeling of relief without any burden.
She wished Jane could act the same way, but she couldn't because Jane knew she had enough burdens to live on by then.
The woman seemed aware of Jane's gaze that continued to cling to her.
She also approached Jane, "Hey, I don't like a woman. I'm still normal," said Mia, a little drunk, and chuckled.
Jane also laughed at Mia's words, "My name is Jane. What's your name?" Jane asked kindly.
"Call me Mia," Mia said, pointing in an obscure direction even though Jane was right in front of her.
And that was the beginning of Jane's friendship, knowing Mia at a nightclub until they eventually became good friends.