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

was older, with

proposal-had seemed like the only

softly. "I still want to be close to my mother. She's all I have

been over this, Jo. I told you, I don't want your mother

Her heart tightened.

And the orphanage we just got word that a donor is planning to rebuild it back in

tightened on

that place, Jo. Let the

We need to focus

her head, resolve

her bag, she

the engagement ring and placed it inside before handing it

said, meeting his startled gaze. "I've added $1,500 for interest. Thank you

etched across his

stepped out. "There's no need for us

out of the truck. "You can't

face him. "We don't have

need to change to fit into my

one

man! It's your job to follow my

bitter smile touched her lips. "I'm sorry you feel that way but I'm

because you've come into some money?

that restaurant?" His words dripped

want," she replied, turning to walk toward

another step, Carlo seized her arm tightly.

surge of anger rose within

law,

free. "I'm not your property, Carlo. Even if

2/4

Chapter 77

dare walk away from me!" he shouted, his face twisted with rage as he

or I'll scream," she

Who's going to come?

an old woman

her, trying to pull her into

and fury

me!" she cried, struggling against his

a long time ago," he growled, attempting to force

all her strength, Josephine drew back her fist

nose.

face as blood seeped between his fingers. Breathing hard,

the porch, she turned to face him. "Leave now, Carlo,

nose with