Joanna considered it for a moment. She didn''t have time to take care of her father. "Mom, why don''t we hire a nurse for him?"


    "Fine. You can arrange it. A problem came up with a project at thepany, so I can''t look after him," Wendy said, standing up to go upstairs. She had justunched a newpany on the side, and she couldn''t let Joanna get suspicious. That''s why she''d had Nathan sent to the hospital without hesitation. She was going to make sure that man ended up with nothing.


    Joanna''s brow furrowed. She knew thepany was facing some minor issues, but nothing her mother couldn''t handle. Wendy had been a force in the business world her entire life; a small setback like this was nothing. Joanna was grateful for all her mother''s hard work—it would all be hers one day. Wendy was a brilliant businesswoman and had taught her so much.


    "You look exhausted, Mom. Go get some rest," Joanna said with a look of concern, taking Wendy''s arm affectionately.


    Wendy nodded. "Yes. You''re always so thoughtful, Joanna."


    She then looked at Jared. "You two should move out tonight. There''s a rundown little apartment. It''s yours. That''s the only wedding gift I can give you. You could probably sell it for about fifty thousand dors."


    "And I won''t be attending your wedding."


    Jared was floored. He thought his mother had finally epted them, that she would be at his wedding. But all she was giving him was some dump and a refusal to attend. What was the point of getting married then?


    "Mom, I''m your son! How can you note to my wedding? What will people say?" Jared asked, his face etched with hurt.


    Wendy didn''t hide her disgust. "Because she is not the daughter-inw I would have chosen. But I can''t force you apart. As your mother, I will respect your decision and give you the happiness you want."


    With that, she went upstairs.


    Joanna was speechless. "Jared, don''t mind Mom. Thepany''s been having some troubletely, she''s under a lot of stress. Your timingisn''t great,ing back right after what happened with Jerome, and now Dad is in the hospital. Of course she''s not in the mood to


    and now Dad is in the honey


    Of


    approve of a wedding right now."


    Jared looked at the dejected Monica and felt a pang of sympathy. "But Joanna, I


    can''t be apart from Monica any longer."


    Joanna smiled. "That''s easy to


    solve. Go ahead with the wedding. So what if your mom isn''t there? It doesn''t stop you from getting married. Once it''s done, it''s done. And when you have a child, she''lle around for the sake of her grandchild and wee you both back."


    Her logic was sound, but Jared still felt uneasy. He stood up and looked at Monica. "Monica, wait here for a minute. I''m going to go say goodbye to my mother."


    Monica smiled gently. "Okay. Talk to her calmly, don''t get angry. I''ll do my best to win her over eventually."


    Jared returned her smile and headed upstairs.


    Joanna gave Monica a reassuring look. "Don''t worry. As long as I''m here, your wedding will happen


    nned, We''ll even invite


    Susan.


    Don''t you want to see her green


    envy? You can hand her the


    With


    invitation yourself."


    "You can show her what they say-a childhood sweetheart doesn''t stand a chance against a new love."


    Monica nodded happily. "Okay! Thank you, Joanna. I wouldn''t be this happy without you."


    Joanna smiled, a strange glint in her eyes. And she had Monica to thank for keeping Jared on a leash.