After the dinner, Gabriel called Luca to ask him to come to the WLS and sent Richard to the Hoffner Hotel. While waiting for Luca, Rosalind and Richard stayed in the living room, talking about the past.
“Richard, why did you get involved with those bad guys?” Rosalind asked. “Please tell me you have nothing to do with them anymore.”
Her brother only shrugged. “Well, what can I say? I didn’t have any money. So selling those was the easiest way out for me.”
“Please promise me you won’t do it anymore.”
Richard sighed and nodded. “Okay, I promise.” Then he grinned and patted Rosalind’s hand. “Since I have already met you and your husband, I don’t think I need to sell those things
Gabriel, Rosalind, and Jane visited a new school the next day. Gabriel and Rosalind wanted to ensure the school would support Jane’s healing from the mental trauma. So, they chose a school with an excellent reputation which provided counselors too.After talking with the headmaster and the class teacher where Jane would study, the teacher led them to the counselor’s office. The office was a small-size room, but comfortable. They also had a garden outside of the counselor’s office if the students needed time to comfort themselves in nature.“Miss Jones, we have a new student, Jane Da Costa. Her parents came as they wanted to consult with you about a few things.” The teacher smiled at Rosalind and Gabriel. “You’re in excellent hands. Miss Jones is amazing! I will leave you with her now.” She nodded at th
Rosalind led the way to the porch outside. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves because it was the first time she witnessed Gabriel’s ruthless nature. Yes, she read about it a few times in tabloids and the internet, and it was said Gabriel could be successful because of his tenacity, to the point of ruthlessness. He wasn’t known as a people pleaser or a weak man.She was also aware Richard didn’t leave a good impression on Gabriel. Even after her husband already did a good thing for him, Richard didn’t show appreciation and came to their apartment without letting them know first. It would be hard to persuade Gabriel to understand Richard if her brother didn’t respect their boundaries.Again, without her asking him, Richard already took a seat. She shook her head because she expected Richard could show her some cour
They enjoyed a few peaceful and happy days afterward. Gabriel was at work. Jane had already started her counseling sessions with Patricia. As Patricia told Rosalind to give Jane a sense of independence, Rosalind let her daughter go to school without Rosalind accompanying her daughter.At first, Rosalind was worried about letting Jane go to school alone, but Gabriel convinced her that Luca would ensure Jane was at school. Since Rosalind knew Gabriel was right, she let Jane go to school with Luca.One day, Jane went home and brought a drawing. She showed it to Rosalind by placing the picture on the living room table. The picture showed a pregnant woman, a little girl, and another woman in the distance. Near the pregnant woman and the girl, a man stood beside them. Then, she added another man somewhere.Rosalind
Jane was at school. Rosalind already met Patricia again after her conversation with her daughter. The counselor noted what Rosalind said and promised to notify the mother if she found good progress with Jane. But Patricia assessed Jane’s ability to express herself and tell what she felt was a good thing to help the healing process.Later, Rosalind visited Anna, as Jane was still in the counseling session. Her school would start a week later. So, she wanted Jane to be prepared to meet and mingle with the children of her age. Rosalind’s stomach was rounder now. She smiled to recall her conversation with Jane when her daughter drew her rounder belly.Anna held Rosalind’s hand. “You smile. I take it everything is good with Gabriel and Jane?”“Yes, Mom.” Rosalind nodd
“Richard—”“You can give me money like the last time, then I will leave right away.”Rosalind took a deep breath as she had the cash, and it wasn’t hard to give it to her brother. But she already promised Gabriel not to give Richard more money. “Sorry, but I can’t give you money.”“You are the only family I have. Where should I turn to when I need someone?”“Richard, you only came to me when you want to ask for money. It’s been twice already.”“So?” He frowned as he was upset with her rejection. “Your husband is one of the wealthiest people in our country, yet you can’t even give me a tiny crumbs?”
Gabriel left her daughter’s room with a smile on his face. He walked to the living room and called Pietro.Without waiting a long time, Pietro picked up the call. “Yes, boss?”“I need you to investigate Richard Miller, Rosalind’s brother. He robbed Rosalind today and made her and Jane scared. Also, hire some guards to keep attention and protect them.”Pietro nodded. “Yes, sir. Anything else?”“Hurry. I don’t know when he would try to meet Rosalind again. I must find something to make him stay away from Rosalind and Jane. He’s a dangerous man.”“Boss, can I say something?”“Sure!”
Rosalind continued making the sandwich, but she didn’t slice it into two pieces this time. She put the entire stack on a plate, brought it to the dining room, and placed it on the head of the table side for Gabriel. She sat on the left while Jane was on the right.That’s when Gabriel entered the dining room. “Good morning!”Jane and Rosalind replied in unison. “Morning, Dad!” “Morning, love!”“Morning, love!” he said to Rosalind, and then he smiled at his daughter. “Morning, sweetheart!” Gabriel hugged and kissed Jane’s forehead. “My daughter is cheerful today. Are you happy to go to school?”“Yes, Dad. I can’t wait to meet my new friends.”
The guards took Richard to the parking lot though he still struggled to release himself. A guard opened a door car and forced Richard to go inside. Another guard handcuffed Richard and tied him to the car seat too to ensure he couldn’t escape.Later, Richard shouted from afar, “I’ll hunt you, bitch! You can’t escape me!”Luca, sitting on a bench a few feet away from the car, gasped to see what happened. He ran and approached Rosalind. “Mrs. Rosalind! I’m sorry! I thought you’d be longer inside.”Rosalind shook her head. “It’s okay. I’m fine ….” Yet, her body trembled badly because it was the second time Richard did it to her. She couldn’t make a reason to defend her brother anymore because she knew Richard wa