The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 77

Josephine stood over the sizzling stovetop in the restaurace Kitchen, the fauillier come of sautéed weedies and spices filling the r

With the old staff retired, she no longer had to shonides every responsibly done

Four dedicated workers bustled around her, two of whots were seasoned cocks from the pontious ownership.

In this small, strugding, marking town, gloymryd was a rare blessing, and the camaradere in the Kitchen warmed her heart.

"Hey, Jo, where did that handsome helper disappear to? I't seem khu these past few days," Stidey asked, a playful glint in her eyes as she wiped down the

commer

"How should I krw?" she replied with a casual shrug, "His ex-wife showed up, and be left with her

"Did he say if he's coming back?" Shirley pressed

"Not a word," Josephine said, a hint of infitation creeping into her voice. "Honestly, I'm considering letting him

"Oly, don't be hasty!" Shirley protested. "It's not every day we get someone that easy on the eyes around here. Give him a chance"

Josephine rolled her eyes, trying to mask her own conflicted feelings. "We'll see. Let's finish up and get out of here. There are plenty of eligible men out there for you, Shirley"

“None as handsome as him," Shirley teased, winking,

Forcing a smile, Josephine retreated to the back room to change.

As she opened her locker, she noticed a small box with a handwritten note attached. It had been there for a few days already,

She unfolded the letter:

"You're right-we poor folks have to stick together. No one messes with one of our own. I heard you're getting married soon, and I hope to be there. In case I can't make it here's a little gift for you."

She lifted the lid of the box to reveal two neat stacks of bills-$20,000 in total.

"That jerk," Josephine whispered.

"Jo, your fiancé's here!" one of the staff called from the front

"Coming!" she responded, quickly tucking the box into her bag

She composed herself and headed outside, where Carlo waited in his pickup truck.

Climbing in, she closed the door gently as he started the engine.

Carlo chatted animatedly during the drive, but Josephine found herself distant, his words fading into the background.

Her mind was elsewhere, tangled in thoughts she couldn't quite unravel.

As they pulled up in front of her modest home, Carlo noticed her silence. 1

"You okay?" he asked.

Chapter 77

at him, taking in his

with

times, accepting his financial help-and his proposal-had seemed like the only option. But now, everything

"I still want to be close to my mother.

sighed, irritation flashing across his face. "We've been over this, Jo. I

Her heart tightened.

rebuild it back in Vancouver. Once

tightened on the

the kids be sent somewhere else, and put

a care facility. We need

head, resolve hardening in

she pulled out

she slipped off the engagement ring and placed it inside before handing

his startled gaze. "I've added $1,500 for interest. Thank you for everything you've done, but I can't

disbelief etched across his features. "What

the door and stepped out. "There's no need for us

minute!" Carlo exclaimed, scrambling out of

to face him. "We

you need to change to fit into

the one to change?" she

It's your job to follow my

sorry you feel that way but

because you've come into some money? Think you're

that you own that restaurant?" His

what you want," she replied, turning to walk toward her

seized her arm tightly. "You're not going anywhere. You're my

of anger

law, rebellion

your property, Carlo. Even if we

2/4

Chapter 77

face twisted with rage

go, or I'll

sneered. "Go ahead. Who's going to come? All you have

woman who can't even

lunged toward her, trying to pull her

and fury

off me!" she cried, struggling against his

should've done this a long time ago," he

back her fist and struck

nose.

between his fingers. Breathing hard, she

wooden pole that rested by the porch, she turned

bloody nose with