Desperate Arrangement: Bouncing Back, Book IV

7

"I don't care, Papa! I don't want to marry him."

Listening to the ruckus through the wall of her room, Johanna bit her lip. She was worried that her sister would start having their father punish her for nothing. Then again, all she had to do was tell Elder Roberts what was going on for everything to end.

That was one woman who didn't take kindly to abuse.

"So help me, Emilia, you will marry that man and be a good wife or else! He comes from money, damn it!" Johan shouted.

Johanna could hear Emilia as she scoffed, followed by the crisp sound of a slap being delivered. "Papa! You know that I love Julian!"

"It will be a cold day in Hell before I let you marry that Jew," Johan snarled. "Go to your room. I'll be in every hour to make sure you're still there, too."

Emilia sobbed, "And what about Johanna? How will we keep her out of the way if this is to be my path?"

"You let me worry about her," their father answered.

A door closed, and the seventeen-year-old gasped as she heard the footfalls come to a stop outside her room. Pulling the blankets up around her neck, she rolled onto her side and pretended to be asleep. The door to her room opened, and she recognized her sister's familiar steps.

The bed dipped under Emilia's weight as the older girl leaned over. "Daddy's going to make sure I get what I want. Don't worry, little sister. I'll make sure to bring you and Julian with me. That way, I can make you clean my house all the time."

With steady hands, she grasped Johanna's hair in her fingers, pulling slightly. Knowing better than to give herself away, Johanna held her breath.

"I better not find out that you've been telling Mrs. Roberts about me, either. If I do, it will be your end, little sister. I hate you so much, Johanna. Why did you have to be born? Why did I end up with a disgustingly straight-laced heifer like you as my sibling? Why can’t you just crawl away like the insect you are and die? Oh well, I guess. I’ll find some way to deal with your stupidity. Sleep well, my personal slave."

Personal slave?

There was no way she could let her sister succeed in pulling the wool over anyone's eyes. Not while the truth could still be outed. She sniffled, and an idea hit her. Tomorrow, she would go to the clinic with the excuse she was feeling unwell. They didn’t want her around Emilia if she wasn’t well, so it would be easy to get out from under her family’s thumb.

Tomorrow, while she could still reset everything and get word to Julian, she would walk down and talk personally with her sister's secret boyfriend.

Outside, recording the altercation with the family on his phone, Kristoph seethed quietly. As it was, the elder sister apparently had a boyfriend, and Johan was more interested in Lukas's money.

He set his jaw. According to his most recent phone call with Trace, Lukas despised money-hungry people more than anything. His last "talk" with Johan must not have sunk in. Unfortunately for Johan, Kristoph was already planning to make sure Johanna and Lukas's paths crossed.

******

The next day felt like a miracle had befallen her as Johanna realized no one really bothered her while she hurriedly did her chores before leaving the house. The crisp morning air carried the scent of fresh dew, and the soft light of dawn cast long shadows across the yard. Johanna felt a glimmer of hope that she could get away with her plan until her mother stopped her at the gate.

"Johanna, where are you going?" the woman demanded hotly, her hands planted firmly on her hips. “There are chores.”

Johanna jumped at being discovered. Thinking fast, she started coughing. "I’ve done my share, Mama, but I'm not feeling well, so I was heading to the clinic."

Her mother's eyes narrowed, but after a moment of scrutiny, she relented. "Be off with you then. We can't have you making your sister sick before she meets her betrothed," the woman snapped.

"Yes, Ma’am," Johanna replied, her voice steady despite the anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. She turned away and walked briskly down the path, breathing a sigh of contented relief once she was out of sight.

The road to the clinic was lined with tall trees whose leaves whispered in the gentle breeze. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, creating a dappled pattern on the ground. As she approached the building with the large red cross on it, she let out a heavy breath, her footsteps echoing softly in the early morning quiet. Could she go through with this? Was she strong enough to tell Julian her sister's plan? She certainly hoped so.

The door to the clinic opened, creaking slightly, as another patient left. Recognizing Walter, Johanna smiled brightly. The older man, with his bushy eyebrows and kind eyes, was a familiar and comforting presence. "Mr. Wielder, how nice to see you."

He tilted his head to the side, a look of confusion briefly crossing his face before recognition dawned. "Oh, my, my, my! If it isn't little Johanna Meyer. What are you doing here, sweet girl?"

"Oh, me? I... I wasn't feeling well, and wanted to make sure it was nothing serious. Do you happen to know if Julian is around?"

Walter frowned, his thick mustache twitching as he thought. "Julian? I do believe he was out back a while ago. Did you hear, Johanna?"

"I'm not sure what you mean," she answered, her curiosity piqued. “What news have you heard, Mr. Wielder?”

"Kristoph Roberts's nephew arrived last evening. Klaus told me about it. Word has it that he’s not planning to meet anyone until his Granny’s house is fixed up. Say, you don’t know who the girl is that he’s here for, do ya?" Walter said excitedly, his eyes sparkling with interest.

It was no wonder her family was too busy to care about her. They had heard about Lukas's arrival. Her hands shook slightly as she wondered if she could still do it. Was there time to stop Lukas from making a mistake by marrying her sister?

Excusing herself, Johanna walked inside the clinic and sought out Julian's mother. The clinic was a modest building with whitewashed walls and a large red cross painted above the door. The scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of fluorescent lights filled the air.

"Nurse Schneider, please, I need to talk to you," Johanna said, her voice trembling.

"What's the matter, Johanna?" the woman questioned in concern, her eyes softening as she took in the distressed teenager.

Johanna sobbed, "My sister is being married off to Elder Roberts's grandson. I'm not sure how to tell Julian!"

Nurse Schneider's expression shifted to one of understanding. "Marie told me that he’s a good boy with a good heart. I'm sure if you explain the situation gently to Julian, he will find a way to break the truth to Marie's grandson. Perhaps they will become friends rather than fight."

Johanna smiled, feeling the weight on her shoulders lift slightly. "I had to lie to my mother about my reasons for coming here. I told her I felt unwell."

"Precious girl. Only for you, we wouldn't know half the stier your father gets up to. You're a beacon of truth in a sea of lies," Nurse Schneider said, her voice filled with warmth and admiration. She wrote something down on a piece of paper. "Give this to your mother and tell her I gave you some medicine for your cough. Tell her you are to come see me tomorrow for another dose."

"Thank you, Nurse Schneider," Johanna replied, her voice steadier now.

Nodding, the woman said, "Go! Julian is in his father's office organizing files. Talk to him there."

Thanking the woman again, the teen walked quickly to the office. The clinic's hallways were lined with framed certificates and softly humming fluorescent lights, casting a clinical glow on the white walls. Knocking on the door, she waited to hear Julian's gentle voice call out.

"Johanna?" Twisting around on her heel, her skirts swirling, she felt her cheeks heat up as she came face-to-face with the man she'd come to see. Julian’s blond hair was slightly tousled, and his brows furrowed in concern as he noticed her unease. "Why are you here?"

"It's Emilia, Jules. Father and mother have her set up to be another man's bride," she said in a rush, her voice trembling.

He stilled, turning as his dark eyes pegged her with a stare that made her feel like he was trying to probe her mind. The intensity of his gaze made her heart race. He stalked over, his movements deliberate, gently pinning her to the wall to keep her from running. She was a mouse compared to her very vocal sister. "My Emilia is getting married off to another man? My girlfriend?"

She nodded, wincing in fear as she saw the storm of emotions cross his face.

Hugging her close, Julian shook with anger, his grip firm yet careful not to hurt her. "I didn't mean to frighten you. You've always been nice to me, so having you say things like that is painful. Is it really true?"

Pushing away from him slightly, she nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Julian. I overheard them talking about the details last night. Emilia thought I was sleeping when she came into my room and told me she would use me as a maid and have you accompany us overseas. She intends to continue to sleep with you while she's married."

Julian’s face contorted with a mix of disbelief and fury. His hands, which had been trembling with anger, now clenched into fists at his sides. The fluorescent lights above cast harsh shadows on his face, highlighting the tension in his jaw and the fire in his eyes.