Yep Rita is still my favorite person, she thinks she is helping Anthony move in and in away she helped Natalia finally be able to see and deal with the truth. The truth is not Jamison nor Richard made her feel what Anthony did and maybe if she would look passed her guilt she would see that she didn't make Anthony do anything he didn't want to do.

I have no words for Jamison...I mean it's one thing to not want to be hurt again but it's another thing to put yourself in a situation where you want to be "Hear no, Speak no, and See no Evil" that you close yourself off from the truth just to live in a reality that was painted for you by a sister who has no clue as to who her sister is and what her sister needs. I mean really him not giving two shits about her taking off the ring that he so wanted her to wear to play into his fantasy is a little much. Jamison needs to move back in with his mother and latch back on to her boob, because there is no way a grown as man is it that much of a denial.

Rich what can I saw about him other than the fact that he might look like his father, might be a dog like his father, but there is something about him that I like. Maybe it's his own brand of honesty. Maybe it's the fact that he shows me that him nothing wanting to be near his family speaks volumes and confirms that only those truly important to Anthony knew about Natalia and him not telling the rest was for a good reason. 

Last but not least, Anthony...lives but a hop, skip, and jump away from Natalia. Because he though he was giving her space he still wanted to be close to her. The reaction he had over her "engagement" leaves me wondering if he ain't going to show up at her house...hmm.

I'm glad the therapist told Natalia she did the right thing by being honesty, it was her need to protect that kept her being truthful and apparently Jamison's 2 year old personality that kept her from realizing sooner that he doesn't know, care to know, or want to know Natalia he wants Barbara's Natalia. How is a grown ass man going to walk out of a therapy session her manipulated Natalia into when she is finally honest. Good riddens Jamison Natalia didn't have diapers big enough to fit your man baby ass. See Joelle you got me feel all types of giddy because I was right about Jamison and he cry me a river ass. (I have so many walking punch lines for that dude.) see you got me rambling again.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

How was being honest about het feelings destroying her life!   Becsuse het dumb wrnt to that pattu wearing thst damn ring Anthony thinks that you are engaged, for such an intelligent  woman she is dumber  than box of rocks.  Jamie knew that Natalia didn't  love him so he couldn't  be that damn hurt. Jameson you hot whst you deserved  for  listening  to Barbara and for forcing things with Nat. It's called karma  Jameson!

Now about this party...Rich seems like a snake in the grass, so I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. But then again, in the nosey ass siblings sense, maybe him and Barbara would be perfect for each other. Anyways, Nat and Anthony were very composed around each other, but I'm sure it was only because of the setting. If they had been alone...Lord only knows how that exchange would've went down. The fact that he's living down the street makes me sure they'll run into each other soon enough.

Jamison smelled this coming from a mile away. That therapy session was a needed reality check for him. He kept trying to patch up things when they were really shattered beyond repair. Even though he's delusional, I still feel for him. But I'm just glad Nat was honest. Great update, JJ.

Wow, I'm glad she told Jamison even though I have a feeling he still doesn't fully get it. Or should I say he may still try when Nat is totally done.  It was good to see Anthony and very telling that his house is down the street from hers.  They need to have a talk, soon.  Rich??!! Carp a younger version of his father and I know he'd get with Natalia if she allowed it. I think he'll cause some problems soon.  Where has daddy Richard been all these months? Does he still call Natalia? I can't see him just giving up unless he found another lover to occupy his time. Great update!  I was so excited for the party!!

After have read this two chs I feel that I judged jamison too harshly and now...I feel sorry for him because this tearphy is not going to work out the way he thinks it will. however I hope it'll help him to heal and teach him to not to settle for less - he's a good guy and he deserves real love.

Rita was a breath of fresh air. Blunt. Straightforward and fierce...! When  she said she was wrong about Natalia - was that a compliment, lool!? I also like Jamison's mum and i hoped she and Natalia would be friends but yeah...that's not likely.  

Thanks for quick & great updates! Still hope Barf *cough*Barb gets run over and i hope Natalia goes to party - now that would be something else ;) 😉

I just realized after reading some of the reviews but I find it interesting that Rita knows a lot about Anthony's love life with Natalia. Let's take a moment to think about this for a moment, maybe Anthony only told the people he felt needed to know about Natalia. I mean Anthony doesn't really seem as connected to his family, unless I missed the part where he's called them about all that is been going on in his life. His father thinks he's a screw up, his brother thinks he should just get laid, his mother thinks...not really sure what his mother thinks. But it seems Natalia was the only one to take the time to pay attention to who he was. Rita seems like She has conversations with Anthony to know so much about Natalia. Not sure if that means much but it's a start for me. 

Ah, role reversal, so glad that Natalia could identify herself in Jamison when she had been with Richard. But that's definitely a cycle that needs to be broken. Playing at life, faking emotions, glossing things over with smiles, and carefully spoken words, where do you as a person come to the surface? As much as Natalia is going through the motions, this chapter also showed Jamison is doing the exact same thing. For him, Natalia fits a mold but he doesn't know what's inside the mold. He's just satisfied with the outside package and that its approving to his parents/family, and its enough for him. So therapy, I think will do their relationship more harm than good, but that all depends on how honest Natalia and Jamison are willing to be with each other and themselves. Right now, I can see them going into therapy saying "Everything's fine" a million times with ear-to-ear grins on their faces. 

Can we get Natalia some aloe vera for that burn Rita left behind? Ouch, but well, it did need to be said. But yea Anthony is still in Galvaston, and it would appear, according to Rita, he hasn't moved on from Natalia no matter the strides he's making in his career and social life. 

I felt bad for Genevieve because she really loves Natalia, and really wants to help plan the wedding. But the longer Jamison/Natalia keep up this ruse, the more pain their deception is going to leave behind. If you're going to lie, don't drag other people into it. Better yet, don't lie period because no one ends up winning or coming out on top at the end. 

Lovely chapter!

I don't know if I have said this before but I REALLY love this story. And though the characters may jump on my last nerve, they are real and nuanced. That is so appreciated. The deeper the frustration I feel while reading, the more real the characters seem to me. So thank you!

This chapter really opened my eyes to how easily people will cling to what they want to happen instead of paying attention to what is actually happening. But something isn't right with how much Jamison is holding onto this one-sided relationship. There is fuckery afoot. Natalia clearly is settling and going through the motions. Yet he is adamant on letting the mediocre times roll. I don't get it. 

And Rita gave me all kinds of life. Was it her business to snatch Natalia's edges? No. But damnit if it wasn't needed. I don't agree with everything she said but it was very refreshing. 

Oh Natalia. She is really starting to do some well needed reflection. I just want her to be great and happy. Even if she is by herself. I want her to take control of her life and put herself first. I believe that she will get there. I am anticipating the moment it happens (though I want to see her punch Barbara in the throat more). A girl can dream...

I can't wait to see what happens next...as long as I have an alcoholic beverage readily available lol. 

Every time she gets a chance to stand up for herself, she doesn't...[sigh].  

I like Rita! She is a good person in Anthony's corner.  But what did she mean that his social life was doing so well?  

Natalia needs to take care of her business...a lot faster. 

Nyeesh

While it was not Rita's place or business to approach Natalia like that, at least she was honest. I don't think she was harsh or that out of line. Natalia is the kind of people who needs tough loving to  open their eyes.

Yes Rita doesn't know what Natalia went trough with her marriage with Richard and how he was keeping her a secret and what not. But then again, after her heartbreak and failed marriage, instead of taking some time to heal herself and do some soul searching, she stayed bitter and decided that she wants revenge. She had accomplished nothing by doing that. Instead it made her more miserable, and as you can see also more pathetic. She just keeps and keeps lying to herself and making the same mistakes over and over again.

Anthony did know that Natalia was in a traumatized relationship with Richard. And she indeed did gave him plenty of out's regarding the baby and a relationship with her, but it wasn't like she tried hard enough. Granted if she was indeed pregnant, the baby would have been his, so he would have every right to take care of his baby and be in the babies life. As for an relationship if her answer was no, then she should have stick to it. He came to her, yes, but she also accepted it. Both wanted this, and both are to blame for their failed relationship. 

In a way I can understand Anthony's hesitance in telling his family about  his relationship with Natalia. Not because he doesn't care for her, or wants to keep her a secret, but because lets face it, its a fucked up situation if we are honest with each other. I get that they like each other and all. But she is much older than him, and to top it of, she was married to his father. It shouldn't matter, but that's life. 

Anthony did fucked up, but Natalia wasn't also any better. But if she felt that she had enough she had every right to break things off with Anthony. She deserves to be happy for once in her life. The problem that I have with her is more the fact that she for some how just can't seem to get it right. Her relationship with Jamison just doesn't make any sense. She just doesn't give herself the time to heal properly. She keeps jumping in to relationships. And now she is attached to some needy psycho who only cared about what he wants. 

I am not sure I liked how Rita approached Nat at her job and then attempt to give her a dressing down.  She has no idea what Richard put her through as a secret and then to have his son do the same.  You can't claim you are grown on one hand and can make your own decisions and then claim how young you are on the other when those decisions don't work out the way you want them to.  Nat has been emotionally traumatized from her relationship with Richard and Anthony knew that.  She gave him plenty of out's regarding her and the baby.  She attempted to let him enjoy being a young man and HE came to her after everything settled down.  Anthony knows good and damn well he messed up along with Nat.  They both share blame on this relationship crumbling at this point.  We are passed the victim and perpetrator scenario. 

Now as for Jamison.  As I would tell a woman, I am saying to a man, she is just not that into you.  Move one to someone who wants to be with you.  Nat stop stringing this man along exactly how Richard did to you.  Now that you can SEE what the hell is happening, it is time for you to step up and end it.  She needs counseling definitely but by herself and not with Jamison trying to override her every thought and word.  Every single time she expresses how wrong this is, how she doesn't feel that way, he continues to weasel his behind into ignoring her words and getting her to do what he wants.  I think the counseling is going to backfire on Jamison

Now I would love to see Nat kick Jamison and the rest of her "well-meaning" (sarcasm) family and friends to the curb and show up at the party looking damn fine and then dare Anthony to say exactly what they were to each other in a room of his freakin' colleagues.  If he ain't ashamed of their relationship, let's see if he acknowledge them being an ex-couple when people wonder who she is.  Great way to see if he has grown in this time apart.

Alright, rant over and I am loving it b/c I have just read and typed this up when I am suppose to be doing work. :)

Stop it Nat! Since you have come to the conclusion you are in way acting like Richard do not continue doing this to Jamison. The truth hurts, but Jamison is a grown man, he will eventually get over it if he has all his scruples and I think he does. No one wants to hear they are not loved but it's better than hanging on to something that could never be. Shame on you Nat! I know you are conflicted, but it's time to do the right thing and let Jamie go. Make him hear you. I think Nat is scared of hurting his feelings, but his feelings are going to be hurt and crushed no matter what. Nat has to sit down with him and give him REAL talk. Not in a brutal way, but she has to explain her actions and what lead her to the point she is now. Wonderful update!!

Maybe this therapy will do some good for Natalia. Maybe it will help her clear her head at least a little bit. But sadly it won't help her from stop being stupid though. Stupidity is something that you need to work on yourself. 

I honestly don't understand how Natalia can stand Jamison? Doesn't she find him annoying? With all his begging and shit. Its pathetic. He seems so needy that it even seems creepy. The way he just dismissed what Natalia wants to say and Natalia's needs. He only wants he hear and do what he wants. And she is so easy to manipulate, its sad really. And since she for some reason just don't have the ability to open her mouth and say what she truly wants, Jamison will continue taking advantage of it.

I honestly do hope she goes to that party. Because like Rita said, maybe when Anthony sees her, it will open his eyes and see that she is not that special indeed. Maybe it will help him move on with his life. I honestly don't think it will work out. Both lack in communication skills. And I think its obvious that Natalia has a lot that she needs to work on. Not to be mean, but I think he is better of without her.