Chapter 168 Jonny's Tragic Childhood
After their golf game, the idea of Elsa bathing Luke in a maid outfit didn't happen that night because Luke was too antsy to wait for Elsa to change."Stop blowing cash on me; it's not worth it," Elsa mumbled, totally wiped from their late-night fun, as she leaned against Luke's chest, twirling her damp hair.
"Don't say that." Luke flicked her forehead with his middle finger.
After their little rendezvous, Luke was in a way better mood. He lifted Elsa's chin, making her look at him. "Promise me you'll holler if you hit any trouble?" he requested.
"Okay," Elsa replied, feeling all warm and fuzzy from his gaze.
The Jones family's fire protection system was a total dumpster fire, and David took a major hit. Dylan was getting heat from the board, and future projects for David? Yeah, not looking good.
At the Diamond Crest Clubhouse, Elsa handed the private seal back to Jonny.
"Sorry, hitting the Miller family also messed up the Jones family's handover process," Elsa said, still feeling uneasy.
"It's nothing," Jonny shrugged. "Do what you gotta do. I'll back you up as much as I can."
"Jonny, can I ask you something?" Elsa hesitated but felt it was necessary.
Seeing Jonny nod, she asked, "Are you helping me because you like me?"
She had married Luke and didn't want Jonny to get the wrong idea.
Maybe because Elsa's gaze was so sincere, Jonny eventually shook his head. "I like you, but that's not the whole reason."
"Can I know why?" Elsa asked.
"We both wanna take down our biological fathers," Jonny said, ordering a whiskey and taking a big gulp.
Elsa was floored.
Jonny continued, "When I was a kid, my mom would make me stand in the snow to get my dad to come home. Only if I got sick would he come to see me."
Jonny's face was blank, like he was telling a stranger's story.
Elsa was floored again.
"Once she realized it worked, she kept making me sick or injured. The worst time, she pushed me into the fireplace." Jonny rolled up his sleeve to show Elsa the faded scars on his arm.
Elsa gasped.
"Later, my dad found out and told my mom not to inform him unless I was dead." Jonny even smiled while telling the story. "You must wonder why I hate my dad more than my mom, right?"
He confessed with measured slowness, his voice enveloped in tranquility. "I hate them both. My mom wasted all her smarts and ambition on the unfaithful and heartless Dylan, who is the root of my suffering."
Elsa stayed silent, her mind filled with images of young Jonny being abused, her heart aching.
A terrible father was a nightmare for many. Both she and Jonny suffered because of theirs.
"Go ahead and do what you gotta do. The Jones family I want is my Jones family." Jonny patted Elsa's shoulder, finished his drink, and got up to leave.
"Jonny!" Elsa called out.
Jonny paused.
"When we hit our goals, we should embrace a new life. Start prepping for that now and be happy," Elsa said.
Jonny didn't look back, just waved and walked away.
Elsa knew the Miller family wouldn't let the heavy blow slide.
She wasn't scared for herself, and Vincent was safe in the private care facility, secure from outsiders.
Speaking of Vincent, Elsa had been so busy messing with the Miller family's projects that they hadn't seen each other for almost two months.
They occasionally called. Vincent was recovering well and growing taller. Once, Vincent and Eric, who was visiting his grandfather, video-called Elsa, and his bright, cheerful smile warmed her heart.
After things settled down, Elsa made a point to get up early one weekend to take Vincent out for a day.
The care facility had a new guard, who looked puzzled when she explained her purpose. "Didn't someone named Elsa just take him out yesterday?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
