Chapter 7 Her Cross Necklace
754 Words
Before Yolanda could discern anything from the box, Joseph exclaimed harshly, "Get out!"
Too panicked to explore, she hurriedly reached for the door, fearing that Joseph might break her neck if she stayed longer!
Overwhelmed, Yolanda fled the scene as quickly as possible.
The moment she left, Joseph's stern look became less tense. He gazed down at what was inside the box, his gaze filled with gentleness.
After his parents died in his youth, he was thrown into a vicious struggle for power.
During one harrowing incident, his adversaries had thrown him into the water. He nearly drowned, only to be rescued by a courageous young girl.
Even after so many years, he vividly remembered how that girl had struggled to save his life. Her eyes had radiated purity, leaving an indelible mark on his soul.
As he lay dying that day, he opened his eyes to see the girl surrounded by a halo, like the purest angel.
Over the years, thoughts of her had softened Joseph's hardened heart, offering a glimmer of warmth in an otherwise bleak existence.
Unfortunately, despite years of searching, he had never found any clue to her whereabouts.
She remained the epitome of purity and beauty in Joseph's heart, the first woman he had ever envisioned spending his life with.
Sadly, he was forced by his grandfather to marry a woman he did not love.
Thinking of Yolanda, Joseph felt nothing but annoyance. He called Liam, "Keep Yolanda away from me. Out of my sight!??
*****
Upon exiting the room, Yolanda understood what that item meant to Joseph since he had kept it alongside his parents' photo.
It evoked memories of her own cherished possession, now lost to her.
It was the first birthday gift from her grandfather, Houston Clemens.
She remembered clearly how it was lost during her visit to Sutton Manor when she was seven. Back then, Yolanda was too young to figure out whose funeral she was attending to. Only when she grew up did she realize it was for Joseph's parents.
That day, she ran around in the vast backyard of the manor for fun.
But then, behind a rockery, she saw a woman pushing a boy into the water...
It was her first encounter with malice, instilling a deep-seated fear within her and urging her to flee back then.
But seeing the boy desperately struggling, she waited for the woman to leave and summoned her courage to save him.
Yolanda had learned to swim, yet it proved to be challenging, considering her age. Though she managed to bring him to safety, she was left weakened and vulnerable until Houston intervened.
The boy was unconscious by then.
Under Houston's urgent care, the boy spit out water. But just as the latter was about to wake, Houston hurriedly pulled her away.
Yolanda didn't understand why Houston was so panicked, so she curiously asked, "Grandpa, who is that boy? Why would someone want to harm him?"
Houston replied, "He's here for the funeral, just like you."
She didn't know Houston wasn't telling the whole truth, fearing she might be targeted for retaliation and making a lie to protect her.
"Forget what happened today. And don't tell anyone about it," Houston warned her repeatedly.
Naturally, Yolanda obeyed his words.
But after returning home, she realized her cross necklace was lost.
That cross was Houston's blessing to her, and she had been wearing it since she was one.
Thus, she understood why Joseph was so angry and didn't resent him because of it.
Yet, Yolanda couldn't help but feel more frightened than ever because he was simply too brutal!
Given the circumstances, Yolanda made up her mind that once her mother recovered, she would take her away and get rid of Joseph for good.
With such thoughts in mind, she spent a sleepless night.
The next day, when she was heading back to her department, someone called out to her in the hallway.
"Terry wants you to stop by his office."
"Is it something urgent?" Yolanda asked, thinking could go later if there was no emergency.
"Well, I'm just a messenger. You'll find out when you get there," the nurse said with a smile.
"Alright, I'll head over now," Yolanda responded, heading directly to Terry's office.
Knocking at the door, she waited for a response before pushing it open.
"Terry."
Sitting at his desk, Terry looked up from his work. He seemed hesitant to begin, but he had no other choice.
"Yolanda, did you happen to have upset Joseph?"
- Writer
