Chapter 2 Chapter 2

"Let's get out of here, Lindsay, before anyone gets suspicious and asks us," Melisa said again.

"What about Josephine?" Lindsay asked worriedly. "Father will ask why we don't go back with her."

"Uh, I should have poisoned that bitch since she was born, like I did to her mother," Melisa growled. "If it wasn't for the nurse who suddenly came while I was injecting medicine into Farline's IV tube, I would have been able to poison the baby as well, not having to go through the trouble of trying to get rid of her like now."

"Mom, if we fail to get rid of Josephine, what will happen to us?" Lindsay whined. "My credit card bills are so inflated and I don't dare ask Dad to pay for them."

"Cut your shopping spree, you idiot! We have to get rid of that damn Josephine and take her share of the inheritance. Now, let's go! I hope the damned girl falls into a ravine on her way to escape or is run over by a car to death!"

Josephine cried hearing all the talk of the two people in the room. She covered her mouth tightly with her kimono sleeve so as not to make a sound. Not only did she find out that her stepmother and stepsisters were trying to get rid of her due to inheritance problems, but the most shocking thing was, she also found out that Melisa had killed her mother, moments after giving birth to herself into the world.

Josephine was told that Farline, her biological mother suffered from heart failure after giving birth and died because she was too weak. However, Melisa's words explained the real situation.

After a while, Josephine heard nothing more. It seems everyone has left. She looked out through the large bathroom window. This bathroom is located on the second floor, but there is a balcony that is limited by an iron fence on the front.

Josephine rushed into her clothes which were lying on the floor, slightly damp and cold, but it was better than just wearing a kimono. After all, her wallet and phone were in her trouser pocket.

Josephine tried to fiddle with the window to make it open, but it was very difficult. She saw a marble soap dish above the sink, very nice and heavy. Without thinking, she smashed a window with the soap dish, listening to see if anyone was listening.

Once she felt safe, she wrapped herself in her kimono and thrust herself against the window. Josephine's body is not petite, but she is smart and agile.

Some scraps of glass scratched her skin, but she didn't care.

Her attempt paid off and she hung from the balcony railing, estimating the distance she fell to the grassy ground below. Josephine didn't want to risk breaking a bone, so she managed to move herself by creeping slowly over the balcony railing and onto the floor of a balcony which door opened to the bedroom.

She exited through the room, walking carefully and silently, just in case someone was still in the villa. However, the villa was empty and only the remnants of the previous party were visible, messy everywhere.

The door to the villa was also unlocked and Josephine escaped by running as fast as she could down the dark street. She could remember directions well and an hour later after running without stopping, she breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the highway ahead.

Josephine walked to the small bus stop and waited for almost two hours before the bus bound for town came. It was light and the bus driver eyed Josephine suspiciously because of her disheveled appearance but then turned a deaf ear when Josephine paid for the bus with her debit card.

Josephine wasted no time, she knew her father's working hours, when he was in his office and she headed straight there to meet him.

Thomas Jade had just opened his laptop to check out a proposal to be discussed at a client meeting, when someone barged into his room. He was shocked, saw his daughter--Josephine, with disheveled clothes and pale face, followed by his secretary who seemed overwhelmed to prevent him from entering.

"What is this?" snapped Thomas, standing behind his desk. He looked at Josephine with a frown. "Josephine, what the hell is this?"

"I'm sorry sir, Miss Josephine forced her way in even though I said you couldn't be disturbed," Thomas' secretary said nervously.

Josephine approached her father and took his hand. "Dad, I have to tell you something, it's important, Dad, please?"

Thomas motioned for his secretary to come out. He waved Josephine's hand after her secretary left and closed the door.

"What's wrong? Where did you go last night? Do you know that you have troubled your mother and sister? They are looking for you and are very worried!" snapped Thomas.

"Dad, they threw the party to set me up. They drugged me and hired thugs to rape me! Not only that, they also intend to get rid of me so they can control my inheritance, Dad!" said Josephine quickly. "I ran away from the villa and I have to tell you this because I heard that Melisa poisoned my mother in childbirth so she--"

PLAKK!!!

Josephine held her burning cheeks and she staggered two steps back. Thomas glared at Josephine, anger very clear on his face. "Ungrateful child! How dare you slander the person who has cared for and loved you all these years? What do you mean by saying all that nonsense?"

"Dad, this isn't bullshit," Josephine said almost screaming. She was very surprised because of Thomas's attitude. "They're really mean, Dad. I've said many times that behind your back they used to be mean to me, but--"

"You and your mother are the same," Thomas snapped in a booming voice. "Always trying to badmouth Melisa and Lindsay!"

Josephine stared at Thomas with wide eyes. She couldn't understand why her father turned things around and blamed her.

"Dad, you and Melisa had an affair when my mother was pregnant with me. It's only natural that at that time my mother hated Melisa and Lindsay, the children of your affair!"

"Get out of here Josephine! I don't want to see or hear you. I'm very busy and an important client is arriving soon. Go and settle down at home. Apologize to Melisa and Lindsay. They were looking for you all night."

In that instant, Josephine knew that she was alone and her father was completely unreliable. She stared at Thomas with fiery eyes.

Thomas picked up the phone, told his secretary to call security to escort Josephine out. Without waiting for Thomas to finish speaking, Josephine came out of her father's room. She will go and stay away from everyone, because no one can be trusted.

-Two months later-

"This can't be happened!" Josephine sighed, standing at the edge of the largest hospital building in Metronine City. She couldn't help shivering. Who would have thought that she was pregnant with triplets after just a one night stand!

She wanted to cry at how real the ultrasound picture in her hand was, which showed three dots the size of green peas in her womb, but she also wanted to laugh at the jokes her life was going on.

Even, she had no idea who the father of her children is. No job, no deposit. How could she raise the baby?

Should she give up? Josephine thought, touching her stomach.

After a long while, she made up her mind.

"You will accompany Mommy to move on with life. We will fight together and reclaim our lives from the hands of those bad people. But before that, let's get out of here, triplets. For our safety and for the time being we'll hide, just for a while."

Josephine stood up, stared at the night sky above her head, closed her eyes for a moment while rubbing her stomach, then walked quickly out of the hospital courtyard.