Indomitable Heart

CHAPTER FOUR — DEDICATION

"What's with the exclamation?" Wilson asked, his attention caught by her reaction.

"Mmm... nothing, Sir. I just didn't imagine I'd be doing all this as a caretaker," Olive answered, voice strained.

"So you're saying the work is too voluminous? Too stressful?"

"Of course not, Sir. I only meant I didn't know there'd be so much—not that I can't handle it." She explained.

"But Dad, why employ this lady in our house?" Sonia's curiosity spilled out.

"You really don't know? I'm employing her for you. You need someone to show you love and affection, like a real mother should." Wilson bent down, patting her back.

"I never said I needed such useless affection. I don't like this lady. I'm not living under the same roof with her. Period." Sonia stretched her voice, daring everyone to object.

"Sonia, I thought you promised to change for the better. What's making you act this way? What's eating you up?" Wilson asked, heart heavy.

"Dad, I've told my mind. If you employ her anyway, I'll cease being your daughter and move out." Sonia threatened, eyes sparking like fire.

"Shut your filthy mouth, little girl! How dare you talk to your father like that? Don't you have manners?" Olive flared up, no longer tolerating the arrogance.

The scolding soured the air. Both Wilson and Sonia froze. Wilson's heart fluttered—he admired Olive's backbone. After a moment, he broke the silence.

"What's your name?"

"What? Oh! My name is Olive. I'm from Texas. My..." Before she could finish, Wilson cut her off.

"You're employed. Go home and pack your valuables—you'll live with us."

"Of course, Sir. Thank you very much, Sir." Olive voiced out, excitement bubbling. She ran off to gather her things.

"Dad!" Sonia called out, disappointment and frustration crushing her—her desire denied.

"Look, I've been employing her to care for the house since you rejected her. Besides, you'll grow fond of her once you interact," Wilson assured her. The words hammered her chest. She zoomed off. Wilson turned to business matters.

Olive moved in. The house became living hell. Her boss treated her like an egg, but Sonia became a thorn in her flesh—disrespectful, stubborn. Whenever Olive corrected her excesses, Sonia's pride stung, and she claimed Olive infringed on her rights. Luckily, Wilson supported Olive whenever Sonia naively reported her.

"Don't blame her too much. She had no mother to guide her, and I was irresponsible." Wilson always encouraged Olive.

Olive tried her best to discipline Sonia—flogging when she offended—but it failed. When Sonia upgraded to bullying classmates, Olive switched tactics. She called a meeting one Sunday evening to kill the cockroach in their cupboard.

"Sonia, please—why are you behaving this way?" Olive pleaded.

"I don't have time for talks that yield anything. If that's why you called me, I'll find peace in my room," Sonia declared, standing to leave. Her father blocked her.

"Sit down, little girl. Don't be silly, or I'll descend on you this evening," Wilson cautioned. She sat immediately.

"Forgive my tone, baby. Tell me what's eating you up. You know I care about your welfare. Tell me so I can solve it." Wilson spoke softly.

Sonia went quiet, pitiful. Her father's voice rang in her head, melting her heart.

"If we offended you, please forgive us. What's the problem?" Olive asked. Wilson supported her.

"You didn't do anything. It just hurts seeing classmates having fun with their parents during dismissal. It breaks my heart remembering how Mum left us, how Elvin married you just to extort money. It pierces me when classmates mock me because of my mother's actions. I hate seeing only you catering for the family alone. I feel so..." Tears rolled down, forcing her to pause.

"It's okay, Sonia. I understand. Don't cry, my love," Wilson comforted her, fighting his own tears.

Olive stood speechless. She couldn't endure Sonia's pain on her behalf—and wept bitterly.

When Sonia stopped crying, Olive stepped forward.

"Sonia, cry no more. I'll make sure you feel a mother's tender love and care. I'll see that you don't feel alone here. If you see me as your mother, I'll do anything a loving mother does."

"Will you promise never to hurt me or my father?" Sonia asked, reminiscing over the offer.

"I promise. I'll move out on my own accord if I do anything contrary," Olive declared.

"Mum, please teach me good moral values. I want to make Dad proud," Sonia brightened.

"That's my area of specialization, kid. I'll try my best." Olive responded. They embraced.

Wilson was over the moon—the sudden change in his daughter, how they dazzled like real mother and daughter. That day marked the resurrection of a new being inside Sonia.

Meanwhile, Wilson's company collaborated with another firm expecting a website design. His managers and staff couldn't generate ideas. So Wilson stayed up nights trying to design it himself—difficult work, as he wasn't fluent in designing. One night, he slept off in the sitting room, laptop open. Olive found him while checking the house before bed. As she covered him with a wrapper, she glanced at the website.

"An essential element is missing."

Should I modify it or mind my business? This isn't what they employed me for. She thought, attempting to leave. But her conscience beat her up.

"Don't hoard your knowledge."

She picked up the laptop and continued designing. Immediately she finished, a fierce, terrifying voice sounded from behind—her heart nearly leaped from her body.

"How dare you?"