By the pond in Ink Garden, Sabrina was sitting on a bench with her face buried in her knees, sobbing.
Jenna walked over and sat down beside her.
“Sabrina, tell me, what’s wrong?” Jenna stroked her hair and asked gently.
Hearing Jenna’s voice, Sabrina looked up and buried her head in Jenna’s shoulder as she broke down in tears.
Jenna’s heart ached. That year on New Year’s Eve, she also cried while hiding in a corner, heartbroken. Norton betrayed her just as she first started to fall for someone. She was in pain after being humiliated by the one she loved.
Jenna regretted keeping that from Sabrina. She wasn’t a good sister figure to Sabrina. How should she comfort Sabrina that night?
“Jenna, I want to leave here tomorrow.” After crying for some time, Sabrina looked up at Jenna and said firmly, with tears still welling up in her eyes.
Jenna was startled. Her gaze was dark and gloomy. Sabrina had been helpful all that while. She couldn’t bear the thought of Sabrina wanting to leave that place.
She wanted Sabrina to stay with her forever! She was unwilling to part with such a nice girl!
“Sabrina, can you tell me why? Why do you want to leave?” Jenna held her in her arms as she said gently, “No matter what, I hope you don’t rush yourself into a decision. Don’t act on impulse.”
Sabrina sobbed. She was terrified of Norton’s actions from earlier. It wasn’t the first time, yet it was the worst by far. She couldn’t stay there any longer, or else she could never picture what might happen in the near future.
General Delia might kill her if she let him take advantage of her. General Delia would never forgive her for tarnishing the family reputation and honor. This could never happen to their family, given their status in Capital City. Her reputation was already tainted after terminating her marriage.
Sabrina gaped, but she couldn’t come up with anything. How could she talk about that? She could only break down in tears again.
“Sabrina, I know that you’re a kind and sweet woman. If you look up to me as an elder sister, can you let me help you with your troubles?” Jenna asked in a gentle tone after letting out a low sigh.
Sabrina sniffed with her cheeks flushed. She didn’t know how to bring that up.
“Sabrina, sometimes you can’t run away from your problems. Trust me. I might be able to help you.” Jenna rubbed on her trembling shoulders and continued to say with a gentle tone, “Sabrina, I can’t thank you enough for helping me all this while. I wouldn’t want you to leave our side at times like this. You know, the problems with the Richards Group, and with Grandma’s situation, I have to be there, and I’d be glad if you can stay with me. But, of course, I won’t be that selfish to keep you by my side if you insist on leaving. I just hope that you can calm down for a moment and listen clearly to your mind. Don’t act on impulse and regret it in the future.”
Sabrina gradually calmed down upon hearing Jenna’s words. Her mind was slowly clearing up, but her heart was still in a mess. She didn’t know what to do.
“Sabrina, are you troubled because of Norton?” Jenna asked once Sabrina had calmed down.
Sabrina glanced up at Jenna. Concern and doubt filled her gaze.
She didn’t know how Jenna managed to read her mind.
Jenna noticed the doubt in her eyes, but she couldn’t read the concerned gaze. With a smile, Jenna said, “Sabrina, I have way more experience than you in being heartbroken. I can understand how you feel, but please remember, running away does not solve your problems for you. We have to be brave enough to face reality.”
Jenna chose to escape to another country in the past, and her father died upon her return. She had been living in regret ever since. If she didn’t choose to leave, then would her father still be alive if she agreed to divorce Hansen?
“Jenna, I can’t face Norton anymore. He never cherished me back then. So, what’s the point of him trying to do it now? My father will never approve of us, and Norton has been trying to take advantage of me every now and then. I can’t stay here anymore. Jenna, do you know how I feel? I really want to stay and help you, at least until Grandma passes away. She had been nothing but kind to me, but I can’t do this anymore,” Sabrina said with a sob and a blank expression.
Under the dim streetlights, Jenna could still see traces of embarrassment and blushing in Sabrina. Although she seemed uncomfortable, she looked more in a daze than anything. Jenna’s heart felt heavy at that moment.
It was apparent that Sabrina was still puzzled by her own feelings. If Sabrina chose to leave, then she might live in regret. Perhaps, Jenna could convince her to stay, and eventually, make Sabrina see through her feelings. With that thought in mind, Jenna said, “Sabrina, it’s true that Norton broke your heart, and it’s normal if you and your father can’t accept him. It’s normal for us women to be serious about our concerns, but now, I really need you. My advice for you is to stay while you still can. Moreover, if your father is still forcing you to marry Sergio, with you going back home, then you can only be considered giving in to him. Also, with Grandma’s condition right now, she might leave at any time. Do you still think that you should leave at this moment?”
Jenna observed Sabrina’s face while she said that, taking in every slight change in her expression. After noticing that Sabrina didn’t look as stubborn as before, a thought appeared in Jenna’s mind.
“Sabrina, don’t you worry. I will neither allow Norton to get near you nor take advantage of you from now onwards. If he still does so, then I’ll tell Uncle Trevor myself and have him locked up in a room to reflect on his actions. Otherwise, I can just send him to one of our overseas branches and have him work his a*s off over there. What do you think?” Jenna held Sabrina’s hand in hers and asked with a serious tone.
“Jenna, can you really do that?” Sabrina asked with a weak voice. To her, Norton was like a ghost who would creep into her mind at any time. She didn’t believe that he would want to leave.
“Rest assured. Trust me. You can sleep with me starting tonight. With me by your side, that Norton b*stard won’t dare to come near you anymore,” Jenna said with great confidence.
Sabrina thought for a while before nodding and said, “Alright then, I’ll trust you. I’ll help you get rid of Liya that b*tch too.”
“That’s great, thank you, Sabrina.” Jenna was delighted to hear that. She laughed and held Sabrina’s arm as she said, “Come on, let’s get some sleep. It’s getting late.”
Sabrina finally broke into laughter, and for a moment, she forgot about Norton.
However, later that night, Sabrina could not sleep.
Jenna slept soundly beside her, but the only thing Sabrina could think of was Norton. She felt that he was creeping into her mind, and that he was like a snake, wrapping her up tightly, as she tried to shove him away. She was insecure and annoyed.
His heavy breathing and tender touches, the sweet words he whispered to her, and his strong arms wrapped around her. She could still feel his body pressing on top of hers and the way he was aroused.
“Sabrina, I love you.” The words he said lingered in her mind for the whole night. She couldn’t get rid of it, no matter how much she tried to resist. She was close to getting insane.
Sabrina somehow fell asleep without her knowing. All of a sudden, she heard, “Sabrina, I love you,” ringing in her ears again. She sprung up in shock. Rubbing her eyes, she realized it was already the next morning. Jenna was already away from the bed.
It should be time for breakfast.
She freshened up in a hurry and headed to the dining hall with dark circles under her eyes.
As expected, the dining hall was almost fully occupied by the Richards family, leaving only hers and Norton’s seat empty.
Sabrina glanced at the vacant seat, and with panic, she withdrew her gaze.
“Sabrina, take your seat. It’s breakfast soon.” Jenna immediately held her arm and said with a wide smile as soon as she saw her.
“Sure.” Sabrina sat down right beside Jenna.
“Sabrina, didn’t you sleep well last night?” Jenna asked in concern as she noticed the heavy bags under Sabrina’s eyes and the exhausted look on her face.
“No, it’s not that.” Sabrina shook her head in denial and lowered her head.
However, Jenna’s question had already garnered some attention from the others towards Sabrina.
“Sabrina, are you used to living with us?” Trevor asked in a kind manner as he looked over at Sabrina with a wide smile.
“Uncle Trevor, I’m fine. You all treat me well,” Sabrina replied politely with a smile.
“Great.” Trevor nodded with a smile. “You have a kind heart, and you’re sticking around even when we’re going through a crisis. We are touched to have you, and we thank you.”
Upon hearing that, Sabrina blushed and said, “Uncle Trevor, Grandma and the Richards family have been nothing but kind to me. I should repay your kindness.”
“Well, it shows that you’re a grateful kid if you know how to repay someone with kindness.” Marissa nodded and praised.
The breakfast session was harmonious and cheerful that morning.
“By the way, where’s Norton?” Jenna asked as she saw the vacant seat. She couldn’t help but to be reminded of what had happened the previous night.
“Norton has some matters to attend to. Madam Madeline will be visiting Mother today in the Ink Garden. Carmella will be coming too. They will be visiting the Emerald Garden as well. I’ve sent Norton out to purchase some decorative items, so that we wouldn’t be embarrassing ourselves upon their arrival,” Maria immediately explained as she noticed that everyone was glancing at Norton’s vacant seat.
Jenna was startled. She didn’t know Madam Madeline would be visiting.
“Madam Madeline called me last night. I am Norton’s mother. So, she wanted to discuss things between Carmella and Norton with me. We’re trying to let them meet today,” Maria explained further.
Everyone else finally understood the bigger picture.
“Did Norton agree to this?” Claude frowned and asked. He didn’t sound pleased.
“Carmella is a smart young lady. She has her own business, and her fashion company is operating worldwide. The brands she created are legendary in the fashion industry. With a strong family background and a strong career like this, she’s taking the initiative to get to know Norton. How can Norton say no to this? He’s not a teenager anymore. It’s time for him to settle down. Moreover, we need him to start a family before we can discuss further on the Richards family’s inheritance, don’t we?” Maria said casually with a pout. She clearly wasn’t bothered about Claude’s concerns.