Chapter 64: Nothing Left to Give
Jackson had said he owed her a debt—but this was the debt: her reputation ruined, her engagement broken. Both of them had made mistakes, yet Paul remained in demand while Yunice had become, in his eyes, secondhand goods.
Owen had agreed to let Yunice marry into the Johnson family, but deep down, he had already lost respect for her. With her tarnished name, what respectable family would still want her? The Johnson family had been her best option—and now even they didn’t want her. All Owen could do was place his hopes on Elsie, praying her future would be brighter. But he feared Yunice might grow bitter and sabotage things.
So he kept trying to persuade her. “Owen gave Paul a good beating for what he did to you, but he still wouldn’t budge. Yunice, listen to Owen, don’t waste your energy on someone who’s not worth it. Let him go.”
Yunice almost laughed. She wanted nothing more than to throw Elsie’s phone right at Owen’s face, to make him take a good look. Elsie had bugged her phone; Yunice had long since replaced the receiver. There was no way Owen could have known that he’d been carrying Elsie’s old phone—and everything he and Paul said had already been heard loud and clear by Yunice.
Sure, he beat Paul up—but it wasn’t for her. Everything he said, every word of concern, had been about Elsie. He’d even used her as a pawn to pressure Paul, letting her sit at the door and get humiliated just to force Paul’s hand! Even the so-called guilt Paul owed her ended up getting repaid—to Elsie.
Paul had already failed her. Now he was going to fail Elsie too? What a joke. Why did my suffering have to be doubled and handed to Elsie as compensation? And what about me? Am I just born to pave the way for Elsie? Yunice had once thought Owen, for all his bias, still had a shred of decency.
If she hadn’t overheard the truth this time, she never would have realized just how good he was at playing the good guy. She wanted so badly to throw that bug right in his face and watch his expression as the mask cracked. But she was curious to see what else he was planning.
Yunice smiled. “I said I didn’t want him anymore when I signed the cancellation papers. I even wished him and Elsie a lifetime of entanglement.” She said exactly what Owen wanted to hear, but the way she said it—it stung.
Owen frowned. “You’re not a kid anymore; can’t you watch your mouth? ‘Entanglement’? It’s called a happy union.” Even Lily shot Yunice a disapproving glance, probably thinking she was being spiteful.
Still, Owen let it go, figuring she didn’t know any better. He simply asked, “So you’re okay with Elsie and Paul getting married!” Yunice nodded. “I’m fine with it.”
Owen jumped in right away. “Then I’m sure you’ll be willing to put in a good word for Paul with Mr. Jackson?” Yunice’s expression chilled—clearly, she hadn’t expected Owen to wring out even the last bit of usefulness she had, just for Elsie.
Sure, Jackson felt a little guilty toward her—but anyone with any sense knew this would be the last time Yunice could make a request of the Powell family. Once it was used, they’d never show her that courtesy again. And even this one shot—she wasn’t allowed to use it for herself.
Owen didn’t wait for her to decline. He cut her off, saying, “No need to talk to Mr. Jackson now. Wait a few days, follow my lead.” Yunice’s eyes flashed with surprise. Why wait a few days? Did Owen and Paul have something planned that she had already missed?
Owen stood and patted her shoulder, trying to comfort her. “Yunny, once Elsie gets married, you’ll be the only sister Owen has left. From then on, I treat you better than anyone.” He made it sound like reassurance, but it was more for himself—as if saying it out loud could soothe his own conscience.
Of course, Yunice saw through it. She sneered. That’s a funny thing to say—like Elsie stops being your sister the moment she gets married. Are you saying you won’t treat her well anymore?
Owen froze, instinctively glancing at Elsie. Sure enough, her eyes welled up. “Owen, is that really how you feel?” Owen faltered. But the words were already out. He couldn’t take them back. Instead, he turned and glared at Yunice, convinced she was just bitter and trying to stir up trouble.
So much for him meaning to make it up to her. It looked like he’d wasted his kindness for nothing! Whatever guilt he’d still had for Yunice vanished. Furious, he snapped, “Nobody asked you to talk! From now on, stay out of the Saunders family’s business. Go to your room and think about how to speak properly!”
With that, he ignored her completely, shutting the door behind him as he went off with Elsie and Lily to discuss the next steps.