Chapter 33
In the end, Richard bailed Nevin out of detention. The detention center entrance was surprisingly busy that early morning.
As soon as Nevin stepped outside, he asked Richard for a cigarette and took several deep drags, thin trails of smoke swirling in the dim light. Calming down, he began to vent. “It’s all Yvonne’s fault. Where’s Hayden? I need to find him.”
Richard quickly interrupted. “I heard Mrs. Deborah Parker is at the Rosy House. Are you sure you want to go there?”
Nevin’s anger subsided instantly. He wouldn't dare to cross Deborah. After a few more puffs, he coughed and said, “If Grandina’s around, forget it. But Yvonne is truly despicable. She got Jamie to sue me. I need to get even.”
Richard frowned. “I just reviewed your case. Jamie’s injury report is still under review, and it doesn’t look good for you.”
“So what! It’s been a while, and I don’t believe the Parker family can’t find a good lawyer.” Nevin was cocky, never taking Jamie seriously. He’d always been bailed out, expecting this time to be no different.
Richard adjusted his glasses and fell silent, which annoyed Nevin further. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Where’s Hayden’s legal team?”
“The best criminal defense lawyer in Elysiumville is Stanley,” Richard finally said.
“Then hire him. My family has plenty of money. He can ask for whatever he wants,” Nevin declared proudly.
Richard’s expression tightened. “Stanley is Yvonne’s cousin.”
“What?” Nevin was stunned, his jaw dropping. “Doesn’t that mean I’m doomed? Yvonne is basically my worst enemy!”
The next day, Kander learned of Nevin’s trouble, and everyone returned to the Parker residence. The Parker family had a rule—anyone who misbehaved was punished. Xander showed no favoritism, sending both Nevin and me to pick watercress from the backyard pond.
I’d heard of harsher punishments, like whipping, but those days were long past. Still, some traditions remained. Picking watercress under the blazing sun sounded poetic, but it was unbearable. Before heading out, I applied sunscreen and wore protective clothing, but the heat was relentless, and I soon felt dizzy.
Nevin steered his small boat into mine, jostling it violently.
“What are you doing?” I yelled, angry. A trip to detention hadn’t taught him anything.
“This is my family’s pond. I was paddling just fine until Nevin started messing around,” Nevin claimed innocently.
Knowing he was out to get me, I didn’t bother arguing. I glanced at the watercress in his boat; he’d barely picked a handful. Xander had stipulated we each gather a hundred bunches. A man watched from the shore—failure to finish meant we couldn't return. They were also there to ensure our safety.
The sun was scorching; all I could think about was escaping the heat. With a wince, I paddled away from Nevin and continued picking watercress.
But Nevin wouldn’t leave me alone. He clung to my boat, using his pole to knock off my gathered watercress. It fell into the water, drifting away. Furious, I glared at him. “If you mess with me again, I won’t go easy on you!”
“Oh, you’ve got quite the temper. What are you going to do? I heard you can’t swim. Playing tough? Just watch that boat; it might spring a leak. I won’t be saving you,” Nevin taunted, his obnoxious grin infuriating.
I couldn’t understand how Nevin and Hayden could be such different brothers. Taking a deep breath, I ignored him and returned to my work.
But Nevin was too excited. With no response from me, he started leaning on my little boat with a bamboo stick. “Why aren’t you talking? Are you scared?” Nevin laughed.
I thought he’d get bored, but suddenly, he jumped onto my boat. The boat rocked wildly, and I lost my balance. Panic seized me. “Nevin Parker! If you keep this up, I’ll call for help.”
“Go ahead. I’ve sent all the servants away. Didn’t see that coming, did you? Now there’s no one to save you,” Nevin grinned, pushing down with his feet, making the already unstable boat sway even more.
I wasn’t a strong rower, and after being in the sun, I felt woozy. The boat tipped, and I was thrown into the water.
The splash and my scream were simultaneous. The cool water enveloped me, covering my mouth, nose, and ears. Panic set in as I thrashed around, feeling lost and suffocating. I kicked desperately, but sank further.
“Help!” I managed to shout weakly. Through the splashes, I saw Nevin on the boat, laughing hysterically. My strength was fading.
As I neared my breaking point, memories flooded back: meeting Hayden, our first moments together, our first hand-hold…then, him with Joanna, the picture of a perfect couple. A sharp wave of sadness hit me. Was my life really going to end like this, just as I was moving on from Hayden?
Nevin looked like a triumphant victor. “You dared to go against me and even tried to throw me in jail. Now you see what happens, right? Don’t think just because Hayden married you, you can do whatever you want.”
After a few curses, Nevin felt better. But then, he noticed Yvonne in the pond had stopped moving. After the last bubbles surfaced, everything was still.
Panic gripped Nevin. “Yvonne? Come on, don’t pretend. I mean it; I’m not going to save you. This pond is too shallow to drown in. Don’t try to trick me.”
Silence followed. Nevin’s face went pale, and without thinking, he jumped into the water. He’d only meant to teach Yvonne a lesson; he never intended to kill her. If she actually drowned, Hayden would make him pay.