Chapter 4 Disillusioned

With marks all over her body, she couldn't go back to school. Thinking that there should be no one at home, Joanna went back by taxi.

Afraid of running into her family members, Joanna took a shower and changed her clothes as fast as she could.

But Murphy's Law came into effect. As soon as she came out of the bathroom, she ran into her mother, Mila Watson who came back from grocery shopping.

"Why you back?"

Mila looked at her with dissatisfaction, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Payday? Where's the money?"

Joanna held the hotel uniform and took a step back.

"Mom, I was paid just days ago and gave it to you. How is it possible that another payday comes so soon?"

"Aren't you working several part-time jobs? Why couldn't it be payday today? Without salary, why did you come back? Don't think about stealing food and drinks. Those are for Howard!" Mila sneered.

As if she was afraid that Joanna stole any food, Mila hastened to the kitchen.

When she passed by, Joanna tried to pull up the collar which failed to cover up the hickeys below her ears. Mila's pupils contracted.

"Were you with Lukas?"

Her heart gave a physical lurch and her face paled when she heard the name.

At the sight of her expression, Mila abruptly raised her voice.

"Joanna, you'd better confess. Was it Lukas?"

Joanna clutched the clothes so tightly that her knuckles paled.

"No."

After a moment of internal struggle, she raised her head, plucked up her courage, looked at Mila expectantly, and choked with sobs as soon as she opened her mouth.

"Mom, I... I was..."

While the last word was at the tip of her tongue, Mila slapped her so forcefully that she almost fell.

Fuming with rage, Mila glared at her and let out a torrent of abuse.

"Joanna, you're shameless. It's been a year. You failed to win Lukas's heart nor even touch him. Unable to stand the loneliness, you even dared to fool around. Why do I have such a lowly daughter like you?"

Still fuming, Mila went in circles.

"Joanna, I'm telling you. Our Bennett family can't lose the support of the Jensen family. No matter what, we can't let Lukas know about this!"

Following that, she stared at Joanna's swollen cheek and warned her fiercely.

"Even if you die, you must keep your status as the young mistress of the Jensen family!"

Meeting with Joanna's astonished eyes, Mila became even more furious.

"Don't look at me like that. Am I wrong? You have those seductive eyes and such a pretty face. Why couldn't you hook up with Lukas, get pregnant with his child, and marry him early?"

Mila cursed and snarled when something crossed her mind, "Why are you still standing here? When you get paid, have restoration surgery in the hospital!"

Mila angrily shoved Joanna away and went to the kitchen with the groceries she bought.

Joanna's eyes had been fixed on the so-called mother.

She watched the woman take the vegetables out of the bag and heard her muttering about what Howard liked to eat and what to cook for lunch. When money was mentioned, Mila cursed again for her thin salary...

Joanna suddenly turned around and rushed out of the house.

The sun was shining brightly in early spring. She wore little and shivered with cold.

She clenched her teeth and looked up into the gray sky. Her fingernails sank deep into her palms. When she was raped by a stranger, she was not so devastated.

She tried to widen her eyes but failed to restrain her tears...

Joanna!

Don't cry!

Don't cry!

It was not worth it!

Not worth it!

"Out of the way!"

A vicious voice came from behind. Under a shove, she stumbled and hit the rail of a bridge.

Too late to react, Joanna grabbed the rail in reflex but slipped. Someone seemed to be pushing her, and she plunged into the Golden River.

In despair, Joanna cursed fiercely the moment when she fell.

"Damn you!"

Who could be more unfortunate than her?

"Oh no, someone fell into the river!" People gathered around and shouted.

No one noticed that another figure also jumped off when Joanna fell.