2

Brownsville, Nebraska

They sat scattered around the open yard, each of them working diligently with small beads used for making bridal jewelry.

At the center was a young woman, about 24, threading bead strands through her fingers while chewing gum. One of the others, seated at the edge of the mat, hummed to herself as she worked on a pair of earrings.

A woman who looked to be about 58 stepped outside, carrying a clay water jug in her hand. She paused to watch the girls, pride glowing in her eyes. She was genuinely pleased by how seriously they took their craft... no boy drama, no distractions. That was one of the reasons she preferred her daughter Mery's friendship with Zoey over that of the other neighborhood girls. She never quite approved of their behavior.

The girls noticed her and greeted her in unison, “Good afternoon, Isla!”

Smiling, Isla responded warmly, “Well done, my daughters. May things always go smoothly for you.”

They all smiled back, and the one chewing gum even snapped her gum and grinned. “Amen, Isla! Your pride and joy here..... Some day, I’ll use my bead money to take you sightseeing and buy you a gold necklace while I’m at it.”

Isla beamed. “From your lips to the heavens, my daughter.”

As they shared the light moment, a young errand boy suddenly approached and greeted Isla. Her smile vanished; she already knew he was bringing trouble.

Sure enough, the boy began, “Uh… someone is asking for Mery outside…”

Before he could finish, Isla slammed her jug down and barked, “Tell him she’s not coming. You hear me? She’s not!”

The boy bolted, nearly slamming into the gate as he ran.

Isla continued ranting. “You see him? The kind of man who lures young woman's into trouble. No, she’s not coming. Maybe he plans to trap her in a back alley or something... Not my daughter. I’ll make sure she gets a husband of worth before she marries anyone. No scoundrel with filthy shoes is going to come asking for her hand!”

She hadn’t even finished her tirade when the young man strode boldly into the yard.... clearly having overheard everything.

The girls froze where they were, standing up in shock, witnessing the drama unfold.

Isla, seeing him, adjusted her top and said with sharp sarcasm, “Ah, the persistent little pest. I knew it was you. Can’t keep your eyes off my daughter, can you? You think you can just stroll in and take her? Look elsewhere, you shameless brat!”

The boy chuckled darkly. “At least I know who my mother and father are. What about your precious daughter? The one you’re hiding like gold? Tell us.....who’s her father? Or why not tell her where her real hometown is, huh?”

He gave a cold smile. “You people don’t even have a home. Just wandering from town to town. Hide her all you want..... she’s still a nobody. And listen here: if you don’t leave this town soon, we’ll drag your dirty laundry out into the marketplace!”

Before he could say another word, he felt the sharp sting of a slap across his face.

Stunned, he held his cheek and looked up. There she was..... Mery.....standing before him, glaring. He could hardly believe it.

“Mery? You hit me?”

“I did,” she snapped. “And I’ll do it again. You disrespectful little worm who doesn’t even know how to honor your elders. I swear, if you don’t get out of this house right now, we will beat the sense out of you.”

As she spoke, she untied her scarf and rolled up her sleeves.

Zoey bolted into the kitchen and returned with a knife, brandishing it while Mery crouched low and swept the boy’s legs right out from under him.....thud! He hit the ground hard, stunned.

“Zoey! Bring me the knife before he gets up!” Mery yelled.

That’s when he let out a desperate howl. He hadn’t expected Mery to have such strength. But before he could rise, Isla dropped down on top of him, pressing him to the ground.

“You’re not going anywhere, you hear me?!”

He cried out for help, but they didn’t stop until he was thoroughly beaten and humiliated.

As he fled the house limping and bruised, Isla stood tall, breathing hard. She knew the damage was done. Mery's deepest wound had been reopened.

In nearly every town they had lived in, this was why they had to leave....the same cruel whispers, the same ugly confrontations. This was also why Mery had no serious suitor; once anyone heard she had no known father, they disappeared..... or their families refused to accept her.

And if it wasn’t her unknown parentage that scared them off, it was Mery’s explosive temper.

Isla was about to speak when Mery raised a hand to stop her.

And Isla obeyed.....fuming silently. Though she was fiery in her own right, she feared Mery’s rare, explosive anger.

Without saying another word, Mery stormed off into the inner room and locked the door.

Even Isla knew when not to push her.

SMOOTH GROUP

They strolled through the elegant grounds of the SMOOTH Group headquarters......a sleek, well-manicured company complex with top-tier landscaping.

The young men appeared to be in their mid-30s, one is 30, another 26 that last one 27 years. By the way they carried themselves, they could have been peers or differed by only a year or two.

The older one man Sam in the center stood out....tall, striking, and clad in a finely tailored business suit that hugged his frame perfectly, accentuating his good looks.

To his right was another young man, Adrian 27, dressed in a uniform similar to that of the U.S. police force. Though not as light-skinned as the one in the suit, he had sharp European features, with neatly combed hair and the crisp demeanor of someone raised with military discipline.

On the left was a third, Lucian 26......wearing a soft grey traditional outfit with half-length sleeves. He was the darkest of the trio, but what he lacked in complexion, he made up for in stature and presence. His body was well-built, giving him a magnetic aura that drew attention wherever he went.

They sat in a small garden cabana, continuing their conversation. A woman in a white uniform approached with a tray, placing delicate cups before them... filled unmistakably with champagne.

After a sip, the man in the traditional attire......who looked to be about 26....turned to the suited one and said, “You’ve really been an ass. You know that, right?”

The man raised an eyebrow, smirking with one eye. “I know. And I’m not apologizing for what Harper did to her. That’s her mess, not mine. Ever since I lost Selene, I honestly don’t think there’s another woman I could lose that would faze me. I don’t have time for that drama.”

With a lopsided grin, he raised his glass toward the third man and toasted, “To Uncle Sam’s pain-in-the-ass behavior. May he stay a forever bastard.”

Uncle Sam just shook his head at him, unimpressed. “Lucian, if it’s Lavinia you want, take her. I don’t care.”

The one in the police uniform chuckled and set his glass down on the low table. “Now this is what I call petty squabbles. You both need to grow up. You’re getting older.....you know that, right?”

Lucian laughed. “Tell him, Detective. He’s the one with a lineup of girls. I’m still young. I’ve only just started enjoying life.”

Uncle Sam gave Lucian a sharp side-eye before turning to the uniformed man. “Adrian, let’s go. I need to see Harper. I’m worried about her.”

They both looked up as he stood abruptly, visibly agitated. Lucian muttered, “Your attachment is getting out of hand. Remember, Harper’s not a little girl. She’s grown.....probably has more life experience than you. She’s been married; you haven’t.”

Uncle Sam said nothing. He simply glared at Lucian, then snatched his car keys and walked off.

Adrian and Lucian got up and followed him, trailing behind.

While walking, Adrian’s phone vibrated. It was a call from the office, and he had to leave immediately.

Lucian and Uncle Sam continued on to Adrian’s house to check on Harper..... Uncle Sam’s beloved niece, for whom he constantly set boundaries with his friend. But in truth, Adrian barely gave her time. He was more focused on work, and though they were married in name, they hardly ever spent time together.

Mount Pleasant

She stormed into the house like a whirlwind.......again.

“Dahlia! Are you alright? What happened?” Bella shouted from inside.

Before Bella could reach the door, she spotted a figure flailing on top of the well..... screaming and kicking.

Without thinking, Bella rushed out of the room, broom in hand, panic written all over her face.

Willow, their no-nonsense neighbor, barged into the compound, yelling, “You little witch-child! I’ll slice you in two today, you miserable spawn!”

She had come all the way from her house with a scarf tied tightly around her chest, charging toward the scene.

Bella stood frozen, trembling as she watched Willow chase after a small girl.... no more than fourteen years old.....shoving her violently near the edge of the well.

Bella dashed forward and scooped the child up, shielding her with her own body while Willow kept yelling.

“Get out of my house, you liar! Just like your sneaky mother! You wretched little brat!”

Bella couldn’t take it anymore. “Willow, please! Lower your voice. She’s just a child. Don’t you have any compassion?”

Willow gave her a contemptuous look and sneered, “You nosy fool......I don’t. I said I don’t have compassion, and I haven’t slept in peace since this thing came into my house! Of course you’re defending her..... you don’t even know where your own child’s is! Shameless woman! Get out of my business, or I’ll make you the town’s next example!”

Bella just stood there, staring at her in disbelief. She shook her head slowly and whispered a quiet prayer under her breath.....not for herself, but for Willow’s hardened heart.

Willow glared at the girl and said, “You little brat......you dare come back here to meet me in this house?” With that, she stormed out without another word.

Bella turned back to the girl, who was still catching her breath. She placed a hand gently on her head and asked, “Dahlia, what did you do this time? Haven’t I told you to stop causing trouble?”

Clutching the hem of her blouse and wiping her tears, Dahlia sniffled and said, “Aunt Bella, it was just because that musician guy asked me to bring food to his room. I didn't even go.... then she started beating me up, saying I was trying to seduce him.”

Bella raised her hands in disbelief, murmuring in frustration and sorrow over Willow’s bitterness. She pitied Dahlia deeply. She was just a small girl who should be in school, not out hustling. But Willow had robbed her of a childhood, pushing her toward a terrible path. Bella knew she had to help this child. Perhaps, by doing so, fate would soften and bring her own lost son back home someday…

Elsewhere…

Lavinia was honestly surprised to see Harper at her house. After everything that had happened....the insult, the public drama....Lavinia never expected Harper to look her in the eye again, let alone come over to apologize and even suggest they become friends.

“I’m sorry for being a bit emotional... Aunty Lavinia, please forgive Harper. Everyone in our household has to have patience with me,” Harper said with a sigh, sipping from the glass of juice she was holding. One leg was perched over the other as she sat gracefully, draped in a sheer shawl stylishly wrapped over her shoulder. Her hands and feet were manicured to perfection, her nails done immaculately....it was hard to believe this girl was already married.

Lavinia gave her a small smile and replied, “It’s alright, Harper. I understand, and I’ve let it go.”

Harper beamed and scooted closer, giving Lavinia a warm hug to express her joy.

They chatted freely after that, laughter echoing between them until Harper’s phone lit up. She quickly showed the screen to Lavinia with a huge smile....it read:

Uncle Luv

Excitedly, she picked up the call to let him know she was at Lavinia’s and had fixed everything.

Uncle Sam......was pleased to hear that. He hated upsetting Harper, just as much as she hated upsetting him.

Lucian sat nearby, eyes narrowed, observing Sam closely while fiddling with something in his hands.

Once they left the place, Adrian returned home to a desk covered in photographs. Several of them had red crosses drawn across the faces. He leaned over the desk, quietly spinning the ring on his finger, eyes locked on the images.

Meanwhile, Arabella and Ava were lounging in the sitting room, watching a comedy show and enjoying the evening, when Harper and Uncle Sam walked in....hand in hand, no less.

Arabella immediately stiffened. She had never liked the overly attached relationship between Harper and Sam.

Granny, who was descending the stairs, saw them walk in and smiled warmly. “Oh, look who’s here.....our darling girl all dressed up,” she said.

Harper giggled, wrapping her arms around Uncle Sam as she said, “Granny, you know I hate it when Uncle Luv gets upset with me. We just got back from Lavinia’s. Everything’s fine now.....she’s even my friend.”

Granny’s smile widened. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart. Come on, let me serve you dinner.”

Without sparing a glance at Arabella or Ava, Harper and Uncle Sam headed to the scattered dining area.

Ava lifted her eyes toward Arabella, a slight sadness flickering there. No matter how much she tried, she always felt the difference.....the favoritism her grandmother and uncle showed her cousin. It stung.

Arabella quickly reached for Ava’s hand, shaking her head gently, signaling her not to cry. In a soft tone, she said, “Let’s go rest. It’s your bedtime, sweetheart. Come on.”

Ava nodded obediently and tried to push herself up from the chair.

As they were heading upstairs, Uncle Sam finally noticed them and called out, “Ava, sweetheart, come eat with us.”

The warmth in his voice made Harper’s expression harden, though she hid it behind a strained smile, continuing to poke at her fruit.

With a soft tone and a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, Ava replied, “No thanks, Uncle. I already ate. Please go ahead.”

“Come on, sweetheart,” he insisted. “Sit with your family. Don’t go off alone again.”

Before Ava could say another word, Harper jumped in, “Uncle Luv, let her be. You know she prefers being by herself. Even here, she won’t loosen up.”

Arabella, already fuming, burst out, “Let her stay in her room if being here means getting insulted. Better that than pretending to fit in!”

Without waiting for a reply, she took Ava’s hand and led her upstairs, while Harper rolled her eyes and scoffed.

At the train station…

They had been sitting for over thirty minutes, no train in sight. Hunger and cold gnawed at them.

“Jaxon, I’m starving…” Aurora mumbled, resting her head against their luggage.

He glanced at her, eyes filled with concern. She looked drained, yawning without holding back.

He pulled the hood over his face more tightly, then walked toward the bench where he’d spotted a box of snacks someone had left behind...

To be continue.....