bChapter /bb561 /b

What she didn’t bexpect /bwas bthat /binstead bof /bclearing things bup/bb, /bSamuel bactually /bshowed bup /bbat /bher house and said that bsince /bbeveryone /bbalready /bbbelieved /bthe rumors, they might as bwell /bjust let people think what they want. He even bhad /bthe nerve to suggest bthat /bhe could just step in and take care of bher /band Mattia from now on.

Josephine inwardly scoffed, ‘Like I’d ever want that!

‘Although Samuel may bhave /bbeen a coward, he was bstill /ba man. Mattias and bI /bare just a mother and bson/b, who are powerless against him. bIf /bbit /btruly came down to ba /bconfrontation, we wouldn’t stand a chance. All I could do was try to keep him at a distance.

bYesterday/bb, /bthings had almost gone too far… Luckily, Mr. Nelson from next door happened to be out for a walk, heard the noise, and shouted. That was enough to bscare /bSamuel off.

bEven /bin her sleep, Josephine’s brow was deeply furrowed, her fingers unconsciously clenching so hard they dug into her bpalms/b.

She loathed Samuel, but it’s not like she could give up on life–Mattias was still so little. What would he do without her? She couldn’t afford to cross Samuel, so all she could do was avoid him and try to find a way to leave Ridgehaven Town as soon as possible,

bIf /bword got out, given her reputation around here, everyone in Ridgehaven Town would say she was trying to get her hooks into Samuel.

After all, they all regarded her as just a widow with a kid, someone who was barely scraping by without a man to support her. bIf /bshe managed to snag Samuelb, /bat the very least, she could milk him for some cash.

Josephine had no way to clear her name. She even had to keep Mattias cooped up at hometely, just in case.

She absolutely hated everyone in this vige. In her eyes, they were nothing but heartless executioners.

Just bas /bJosephine was clenching her teeth in her nightmare, lost in a swirl of fear and helplessnessb, /ba pair of hands suddenly pulled open the bed curtain and reached for her.

Samuel’s beyes /bwere locked onto her, burning with a wild intensity, and his face bso /bagitated it was almost twisted out bof /bshape.

Josephine had always been on high alert. Over the yearsb, /bshe had experienced numerous attempted break–ins at her house during the night. Even after she rebuilt and raised the courtyard wallsb, /bshe still felt unsafe. So, when she felt something touch her waist, she jolted awake. Her eyes flew open to meet that unforgettable face from her nightmares.

“Ah!” Josephine cried out, clutching the nket to her chest and shrinking back. She eximed, “How did you get in bhere/bb?/bb” /b

When he showed up yesterday, Samuel hadn’t dared to set foot inside, and he’d only hovered out in the yard.

There was a deep, bone–chilling fear in Josephine’s eyes as she thought, ‘Has Samuel lost his mind? Isn’t he afraid that Millie’s family will kick up a huge fussb?/bb‘ /b

“Rx, Josephineb,” /bSamuel said, his voice low and greasy. “I made sure no one’s around bbefore /bbI /bcame in. That old bgeezer /bfrom the Nelson family ruined things yesterday, but tonight, nobody’s gonna interrupt us. We can finish what we started.

“Just be with me, bokay/b? bIf /byou stick with me, bI’ll /btreat you and Mattias real good. Yeah, I’m supposed to marry Millie, but that woman’s basically a man. She is hard and rough, and she’s nothing like you. She’s not half bas /bpretty, not even close to your figure. You’re the only one bI /bwant, Josephine. No one elseparesb./bb” /b

As he spoke, Samuel couldn’t hold himself back any longer, and he lunged at Josephine with his hands reaching out to grab her.

Josephine fought him with everything she had, and she finally broke free from his grip. She eximed, “Get lost! Aren’t you ashamed to do this to Millie? Mattias and I want nothing to do with you!”

Somehow, she found the courage tond a hard kick right between Samuel’s legs, and he let out a pained cry, his grip instantly loosening.

Seizing the moment, Josephine scrambled off the bed and made a desperate dash for the door. bAs /blong as she could get outside, she could be safe if anyone saw her.

Samuel clutched his crotch, howling in pain as he cursed, “You bitch! You fucking whore!”

He was determined to teach this woman a lesson she’d never forget.

Josephine reached out, her fingers just brushing the doorknob.

She was only a step away when suddenly, a big hand shot out of nowhere. A sharp pain stabbed through her scalp as Samuel ruthlessly yanked her backwards by the hair. The force sent her stumbling, and she toppled hard to the floor.

All hope drained from Josephine’s eyes, leaving them bleak and lifeless.

Samuel didn’t hesitate before he pped her hard bacross /bthe bface/bb, /bthen started raining bpunches /band kicks bdown /bon herb. /bHe bcursed/b, b“/bbYou /bfilthy bitch! You’re bjust /bba /bbslut /bbevery /bman’s had a turn withb, /band now byou /bwant to act ball /bpure and bchaste/bb? /bbYou /bshould bcount /byourself blucky /bbI /bbeven /bwant byou/bb. /bThis is the best fortune you’ll bever /bbget /bin your miserable lifeb!/bb” /b