Chapter 378
"Let's go home," Cassie murmured, her fingers intertwining with his.
Home...
A flicker of pain crossed Joseph's handsome features. There was a time when the Hernandez residence had been his sanctuary, his haven. But now, it felt foreign, cold. Home was no longer a place, but a person. It was wherever Cassie was.
"Okay," he replied, his voice barely a whisper. He nodded, his arm encircling her protectively as they exited the grand house, not once glancing back.
From the entrance, Celeste watched his retreating figure, a shiver running down her spine. "Mom, Dad, I think something's wrong with Joseph again. He looked just as terrifying as that time when he hurt someone..." she murmured, her voice trembling.
"That's enough," Mildred snapped, her hand striking Celeste's cheek in a harsh reprimand. "Do you have any shame? Has our Hernandez family ever shortchanged you that you let outsiders bribe you?"
Liam pointed an accusing finger at her, his voice filled with fury. "Aunt Millie, that was incredibly cruel."
Celeste's face fell, her hands balling into tight fists. The resentment within her bubbled, a seething anger that yearned for retribution. This grudge, she vowed, would be settled.
---
As they navigated the winding roads of Snowford Evergreen, Walter at the helm, Joseph's gaze remained fixed on Cassie. He studied her disfigured face, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and regret.
Feeling his intense gaze, Cassie snapped, "Don't take my words to heart. I just didn't want you to hurt Celeste or fall out with the Hernandez family. If you end up in a bad spot because of it, I might find myself locked in a cell again, or worse."
"I know," Joseph replied, his gaze flickering momentarily before returning to its usual stoic state. He had never deluded himself into believing she would easily forgive the harm she had endured.
He was aware of how she must view him, a protector who had failed her. A sharp pang of guilt pierced his heart, his hand trembling uncontrollably as if he was losing grip.
"Pull over," he commanded abruptly.
Without hesitation, Walter steered the car to the side of the road.
"Dropping you at the hospital first. I need to take a smoke," Joseph said, his strides long and purposeful as he stepped out of the vehicle.
Walter watched him for a moment before driving away. Cassie caught a glimpse of Joseph through the rearview mirror, a scoff escaping her lips. "Walter, I must reek. It must've been tough on you to endure."
Indeed, she did. The dungeon's horrid conditions, combined with her lack of personal hygiene, filled the car with an unbearable stench.
Caught off guard, Walter hastily explained, "Miss Brooks, you’ve got the wrong idea. It's just that Joseph..."
He trailed off, unable to tell her about Joseph's need to take medication, possibly self-harming again.
"There's no need to try so hard to explain. I get it," said Cassie, finding the awkwardness of his attempt to make excuses for Joseph amusing.
Walter looked on helplessly, realizing that she probably couldn't grasp how much Joseph really cared about her.
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