Chapter 57: Breaking Point
Elsie panicked. “Mom…” she whispered, her voice shaking as she turned toward Lily. The second she spoke, both Lily and Owen stiffened. That one word said it all. Elsie had already slept with Paul.
Owen stepped forward quickly, eyes locked on her. “Did he force you?” Elsie’s face twisted with shame, completely lost for words. But to Owen, her silence said it all. His face went pale with rage. “How many times have I told you—no sex before marriage. Not until you had that marriage certificate in hand. I thought you were the one I didn’t have to worry about. I never imagined you’d end up making the same mistake as the others.”
Elsie had never been yelled at like that. She broke down in tears and curled up behind Lily.
Lily, heartbroken, jumped to her defense. “So what if Elsie slept with Paul? It’s not a big deal—this is how things are now. People have sex before marriage all the time. Owen, why are you acting more old-school than me?”
Owen rubbed his temples, exhausted. It wasn’t just her words—it was the ignorance behind them that wore him down. He sighed. “Mom, come on. You really don’t see what’s happening? The Powell family’s been dragging their feet. They were never going to let her marry in. And now her reputation’s on the line. What if Paul backs out? What happens to Elsie then?”
Lily waved it off. “That’s not going to happen. Paul’s obsessed with her. Why would he walk away?”
There was no point in arguing with her, so Owen turned back to Elsie. Elsie bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. She knew it—Owen didn’t see her the same anymore. Whatever image he’d had of her was shattered. Heartbroken, she turned to leave.
Owen saw the shift in her expression and grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?”
Through sobs, Elsie cried, “I’m sorry, Owen. I embarrassed you. But don’t worry…I’ll take care of it. I won’t cause you any more trouble.”
That hit Lily hard. She lunged forward and grabbed her daughter. “Owen! Are you trying to push her over the edge?”
Owen froze. That hadn’t even crossed his mind. He stood there, stiff, caught off guard—but the truth was, Elsie had messed up. Someone had to take responsibility. Still, she was his sister. What was done was done. And Elsie was quick to break under emotional weight—fragile, easily shaken, and always taking things too personally. Now that he’d exposed something so private, what if she couldn’t handle it? What if she really did something reckless?
Owen clenched his jaw. He made up his mind. “Elsie, this isn’t your fault.” Then he turned to Lily. “Keep an eye on her. Don’t let her do anything stupid. I’m going to talk to Paul. He owes us an explanation.” He stormed downstairs and called out, “Yunice! You’re coming with me—to the Powell estate.”
Yunice looked up, startled. She’d heard the yelling from upstairs, but she had no idea why she was being dragged into it. Shouldn’t Elsie be the one going to confront Paul? Owen didn’t explain. He just grabbed his keys and walked out, motioning for her to follow.
Owen glanced at her for a moment, then said quietly, “You don’t need the mask. We’re not around strangers—and it might just make the wound worse.”
Yunice glanced at the Powell staff walking back and forth, clearly uncomfortable. She used to visit this house all the time. Everyone here knew her. No one wanted to show their worst side in front of people who knew them. But Owen looked at her and didn’t change his mind. Yunice’s heart sank. She slowly pulled the mask down. It wouldn’t be her first time being humiliated at the Powell estate. What was one more?
Owen looked at the scar running across her cheek, and something twisted inside him. He knew what he was about to do would hurt her, but he didn’t have a choice. Maybe to make himself feel better, he said something he never said. “Yunny, after this just focus on healing. I won’t push you to get married again.”
Yunice’s brow twitched slightly. She knew Owen—he only made promises like that when he felt guilty. When he was about to do something he knew she wouldn’t forgive. But what choice did she have? She said nothing and followed him inside.
As they walked through the estate, the staff couldn’t help but notice the scar on Yunice’s face. But this was the Powell family—every maid followed strict rules. No matter what they were thinking, no one dared to say a word.
The Powell estate was laid out like a private compound, with each family member living in their own separate residence. Paul stayed at Maplecrest Manor, a quiet corner of the property surrounded by tall red maples. Near the trees was a small garden pavilion, built for greeting visitors. Owen motioned for Yunice to wait there, then headed into Maplecrest without another word.
Yunice sat silently on the cushioned stone bench inside the pavilion, calm and composed—even as the passing staff continued to glance her way.