Chapter 28

Jesse rubbed her nose with a wry smile, brushing off the concern as she said, “Got into a

scuffle this afternoon.”

“With who?”

“It’s over, Estrella. Let’s not dig into it.”

“Jesse, don’t make me investigate it myself.”

Estrella’s temper was something Jesse was all too familiar with. She might seem all sunshine and rainbows on a regular day, but if you crossed a line with her, you’d be in for a rude awakening.

“I ran into Paula today. She brought backup, and I was outnumbered.”

As soon as Jesse finished her sentence, Estrella was on her feet, heading for the door. Jesse grabbed her arm urgently. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Estrella’s face was a storm cloud as she snapped, “You expect me to sit down for dinner when you’re beaten up like this?”

Jesse held on tighter, trying to calm the storm brewing within Estrella. “Estrella, it’s done, and it wasn’t all Paula’s doing. Don’t do anything rash.”

Estrella saw there was more to the story. She reined in her anger and sat back down. “Fine. I won’t. Just tell me everything.”

They settled back at the dining table, and Jesse began recounting the story. “A few days. ago, I got into it with Melinda. Guess she couldn’t let it go and teamed up with Paula.”

Melinda was Jesse’s stepsister. Jesse’s mom had passed away when she was just a toddler, and her dad had quickly remarried Damita, who was pregnant at the time. Damita never took a liking to Jesse and would often take advantage of her husband’s absence to berate and mistreat the child.

After a particularly nasty incident in middle school, Jesse had changed. Her father, under the constant influence of Damita’s whispers, had grown colder towards her. Life as a Manning wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for Jesse.

anywhere else? Did

to the gut, bleeding a little, but the hospital

clenched with pain. She knew Paula must have ambushed Jesse on purpose, taking advantage of her less favored status in the Manning family to strike at her

15:24

Chapter 28

you sure you’re okay?”

I’ll take care of myself. Otherwise how can I keep up the good fight with

those two?”

then I trust you,” Estrella said, ladling out chicken soup for Jesse. “Eat up, and next time, don’t be a

“Yeah, I know.”

possible escape routes. Jesse didn’t share these details with Estrella, not wanting to stoke her fiery nature. The

in their cars, Estrella warned, “Jesse, call me

don’t

Now go home and

let tonight’s incident

I’ll listen to you.”

foot slammed down on the accelerator, speeding towards the Lamont residence. If she let this slide, Paula would take every opportunity to go after Jesse, and

to play nice.

Estrella, our young lady isn’t home. Perhaps you could come back

ask you

attempts, they couldn’t stop Estrella from barging into the Lamont’s grand hall.

with a glare, her hands deep in the pockets of her slacks.

Paula, in her loungewear, descended the stairs, clearly annoyed.

an antique vase from a side table and hurled it at Paula. “Did you

into

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