<b>Chapter </b><b>561 </b>
What she didn’t <b>expect </b>was <b>that </b>instead <b>of </b>clearing things <b>up</b><b>, </b>Samuel <b>actually </b>showed <b>up </b><b>at </b>her house and said that <b>since </b><b>everyone </b><b>already </b><b>believed </b>the rumors, they might as <b>well </b>just let people think what they want. He even <b>had </b>the nerve to suggest <b>that </b>he could just step in and take care of <b>her </b>and Mattia from now on.
Josephine inwardly scoffed, ‘Like I’d ever want that!
‘Although Samuel may <b>have </b>been a coward, he was <b>still </b>a man. Mattias and <b>I </b>are just a mother and <b>son</b>, who are powerless against him. <b>If </b><b>it </b>truly came down to <b>a </b>confrontation, we wouldn’t stand a chance. All I could do was try to keep him at a distance.
<b>Yesterday</b><b>, </b>things 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 <b>scare </b>Samuel off.
<b>Even </b>in her sleep, Josephine’s brow was deeply furrowed, her fingers unconsciously clenching so hard they dug into her <b>palms</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,
<b>If </b>word 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. <b>If </b>she managed to snag Samuel<b>, </b>at 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 <b>as </b>Josephine was clenching her teeth in her nightmare, lost in a swirl of fear and helplessness<b>, </b>a pair of hands suddenly pulled open the bed curtain and reached for her.
Samuel’s <b>eyes </b>were locked onto her, burning with a wild intensity, and his face <b>so </b>agitated it was almost twisted out <b>of </b>shape.
Josephine had always been on high alert. Over the years<b>, </b>she had experienced numerous attempted break–ins at her house during the night. Even after she rebuilt and raised the courtyard walls<b>, </b>she 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 <b>here</b><b>?</b><b>” </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 fuss<b>?</b><b>‘ </b>
“Rx, Josephine<b>,” </b>Samuel said, his voice low and greasy. “I made sure no one’s around <b>before </b><b>I </b>came in. That old <b>geezer </b>from the Nelson family ruined things yesterday, but tonight, nobody’s gonna interrupt us. We can finish what we started.
“Just be with me, <b>okay</b>? <b>If </b>you stick with me, <b>I’ll </b>treat 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 <b>as </b>pretty, not even close to your figure. You’re the only one <b>I </b>want, Josephine. No one elsepares<b>.</b><b>” </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. <b>As </b>long 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 <b>across </b>the <b>face</b><b>, </b>then started raining <b>punches </b>and kicks <b>down </b>on her<b>. </b>He <b>cursed</b>, <b>“</b><b>You </b>filthy bitch! You’re <b>just </b><b>a </b><b>slut </b><b>every </b>man’s had a turn with<b>, </b>and now <b>you </b>want to act <b>all </b>pure and <b>chaste</b><b>? </b><b>You </b>should <b>count </b>yourself <b>lucky </b><b>I </b><b>even </b>want <b>you</b><b>. </b>This is the best fortune you’ll <b>ever </b><b>get </b>in your miserable life<b>!</b><b>” </b>