Chapter 169
169 A Family Fractured
The entire room had erupted into chaos.
“If you keep this up, the hotel staff might call the reporters–or worse, the cops!” Martha snapped.
Finishe
Their voices had been far too loud. The hotel’s walls were thin, and anyone passing by might think something illegal was happening. After everything that happened today, the last thing they needed was another scandal.
At her words, Franklin suddenly seemed to snap out of it. He slumped onto the couch, his eyes vacant, his hands cradling his head in silence.
Martha turned her attention back to Stanley, gently inspecting his bruised cheek with maternal concern. Eugene, however, stood apart–cold, distant, and detached, like a bystander.
Then he finally spoke.
“You two should head back to Trenwyn.”
Franklin looked up at him, disgusted. “And what the hell are we supposed to do there? Sleep on the streets? Or did you forget how deep in debt we are?”
Only now, with the heat of the moment passed, did the reality sink in–they were completely broke.
“He’s right. We can’t go back!” Martha suddenly grew agitated.
“If we all leave, what happens to Oliver? Franklin, that’s your son! You’re just going to leave him at the Lane estate to be bossed around like a dog by that Scarlett girl? Just the thought of her ordering him around like a servant makes my heart bleed!”
Her voice trembled with fury. Seeing her about to explode again, Franklin’s tone softened slightly.
“I’m asking you to go back for Rebecca. We can’t all stay here. If we’re in Jalindale, who’s going to help her get out of jail?”
The moment he mentioned Rebecca, Martha fell silent.
Stanley and Eugene, however, exchanged a glance–one filled with quiet resignation.
There was a time they truly believed Rebecca was innocent. That Scarlett, just a lowly adopted daughter, had dared to step out of line. They’d hated her, looked down on her–but kept quiet because they needed her kidney.
They had even fantasized about locking Scarlett up, forcing her to kneel and beg Rebecca for forgiveness every day.
If Scarlett had truly been the helpless nobody they thought she was, that punishment would’ve been their twisted form of mercy.
But now they knew.
It had all been a lie, A terrible, damaging lie. And they had helped destroy her.
The guilt was suffocating.
Ubisa Mon, 11 Aug. •
169 A Family Fractured
Finished
Back then, they were self–righteous and merciless: Now? They were silent, ashamed, too afraid to speak for fear their darkest thoughts might be exposed. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findηʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
“ You listen to me,” Franklin said firmly. “Go back. Meet with the lawyer. Try to get Rebecca out as soon as possible. I’ll stay behind and figure out how to pull Oliver out of this mess.”
Martha hesitated.
Both children were hers. How could she choose?
“Rebecca’s always been closest to you. She’ll open up to you more easily. Oliver’s a man–he’ll understand. I’ll handle things here.”
Franklin placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Just go. Please?”
Martha buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
“But if I go back… they’ll laugh at me. Say the phoenix turned back into a sparrow. We don’t even have a place to stay… I…”
Ever since they’d acknowledged Scarlett six years ago, the Joyner family had soared. Everyone had treated Martha like a queen.
Now, after losing everything?
She was just another failure.
But the thought of Rebecca alone in a cold jail cell was unbearable.
Turning to Eugene, she said, “You still have that little doctor’s apartment, don’t you? Clean it up–I’ll stay there for now.”
Eugene froze.
That place was barely a one–bedroom. If she moved in, where would he go?
He didn’t object outright, but resentment flickered in his eyes.
Then Martha looked to Stanley.
“You’ll stay here and look after your father. He’ll need help meeting contacts and arranging favors. You’re not doing anything anyway.”
Franklin wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but Stanley had already nodded quietly.
Martha let out a heavy sigh, then tugged at Eugene’s sleeve.
“Let’s go.”
Eugene was reluctant–not for himself, but for Stanley. With him gone, Stanley would be the only one left for Franklin to lash out on.
Still, he couldn’t argue with his mother now. He patted Stanley on the shoulder.
169 A Family Fractured
Take care of yourself. ”
“ Yeah , ” Stanley muttered, dazed. He still hadn’t fully processed the blow the Lane family had dealt them .
Eugene gave one last sigh before guiding Martha out the door.
Only when they were truly gone did Franklin let out a long breath of relief–then turned to look at Stanley , his eyes hard and cold.