Chapter 5
Janice’s icy glare pierced through Garrett like a scalpel, leaving him visibly shaken. He tried to keep his composure but faltered under the weight of her intensity.
“Janice, you’re my daughter too,” Garret said. “I don’t want things to get ugly. If there’s something you want, just name it. As long as it’s reasonable, I’ll give it to you.”
“Not too ugly, huh?” Janice’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “I should thank you for your generosity, then.”
Tired of the pretense, she cut straight to the point. “Let me make this clear. Leave my mother’s grave alone. She suffered enough when she was alive. You don’t get to disturb her in death.”
Garrett’s face darkened further. “You’ve misunderstood. I only wanted to move her to a better cemetery—”
“Shut up!” Janice raised a hand to silence him, her smile turning cold. “Do one decent thing in your miserable life and stay away from her. Otherwise…”
She stepped forward and grabbed his tie, yanking him closer. Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. “Otherwise, I’ll make sure you all join her down there.”
Garrett struggled against her grip, his face reddening as he choked out, “Fine! I’ll make sure no one touches her grave. But you’d better stay out of my sight from now on!”
It was almost amusing how he echoed Malcolm’s words. Both men seemed desperate to rid themselves of her, as if she wanted to stick around in their toxic circles.
Releasing his tie, Janice turned on her heel and walked away without looking back.
…
The next two days were grueling. Exhausted but determined, Janice visited The Sanctuary to ensure her mother’s grave remained undisturbed. After confirming everything was intact, she returned to her apartment, collapsing into bed and falling asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
When she finally woke, it was to the insistent ringing of her phone. She groggily reached for it and realized she’d slept for an entire day and night.
The caller was Kody Gomez.
“Janice! Finally, you pick up!” Kody’s voice was buzzing with excitement. “Get dressed and meet me. I just got back to town, and I’ve got something amazing for you!”
Janice was tempted to decline, but his final words hooked her. “What kind of amazing?”
“An antique set of gold needles! Got them dirt cheap at an auction overseas. The fools didn’t know their worth. They say they’re from some master craftsman. If you don’t come get them, I might just donate them to a retirement home for sewing projects.”
Janice bolted upright. For anyone in her line of work, such a treasure was irresistible. “Don’t you dare! I’m on my way!”
…
15 minutes later, she arrived at a familiar bar where she and Kody often met with mutual friends. Sliding into the private room, she zeroed in on her target. “Hand it over.”
“You’re unbelievable,” Kody teased, though he promptly placed the elegant needle case in her hands. “Check it out. See if it’s legit.”
Having known each other for years, the two had long since dispensed with pleasantries.
Janice examined the needles with reverence, her fingers brushing over their intricate craftsmanship. Satisfied, she slapped Kody’s shoulder. “This is incredible. Drinks are on me tonight.”
“Drinks on you? Please,” Kody rolled his eyes with a laugh. “You’re only, what, six months older than me? Don’t start acting like you’re that much older now!
“Besides, you’re off the hook. My cousin’s footing the bill. He’s throwing me a welcome-back party, so go ahead—order the most expensive stuff they’ve got.”
Janice raised an eyebrow. “Cousin? This is the first I’ve heard about a cousin.”
She and Kody had met years ago after she had saved him from a car crash.
Back then, he was a rookie racer who’d taken a corner too hard and smashed into a mountainside. Janice, out gathering herbs nearby, had patched him up before the ambulance even arrived. They’d been close ever since, though Kody rarely talked about his family.
“Yeah, my cousin’s a big deal,” Kody said with a smirk. “Loaded, too. Trust me, tonight’s on him.”
Before Janice could reply, a deep voice cut through the air behind them.
“Who’s the sucker footing the bill?”
Kody turned toward the voice, all smiles. “Did I say that? No way! Must’ve been your imagination.”
Janice froze. She didn’t need to turn around to know who the owner of that voice was.
It was Malcolm.
Of all the people in the world, she thought bitterly.
And, of course, Malcolm wasn’t alone. Standing beside him was Reina.
“Malcolm, this is Janice,” Kody said, oblivious to the tension. “She’s my best friend.”
He emphasized the word “best” with a grin, clearly proud of their bond.
Janice lifted her gaze and met Malcolm’s cold, unreadable eyes.
Reina, meanwhile, looked like she’d seen a ghost. “Malcolm?” she gasped, covering her mouth with a delicate hand.
Janice’s lips twitched. She’d initially wanted nothing more to do with the Ludwig family, but seeing Reina squirm was too tempting to resist.
Kody glanced between them, puzzled. “Wait, you two know each other?”
“No,” Malcolm replied with no hesitation. His denial was immediate, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of suppressed anger as they locked onto Janice.
She raised an eyebrow but kept her expression neutral. Under the table, however, her foot slipped out of her shoe and traced a slow, teasing line up Malcolm’s leg.
Reina, completely oblivious, gave a wistful sigh. “Janice is my sister. We haven’t seen much of each other since she left home. I’ve always missed her and hoped she’d come back…”
Janice smirked. “You miss me already? Didn’t we just see each other at your engagement party?”
Reina’s smile faltered for a split second before she recovered. “I wasn’t expecting you to come.”
“Well, I couldn’t miss such an important day,” Janice replied, her tone dripping with false sweetness.
Reina forced a laugh. “Dad has forgiven you, you know. He understands you were young and impulsive back then. All you have to do is apologize, and he’ll welcome you back.”
Janice’s smile widened, but her eyes turned sharp.
Forgiveness? Apologize? Reina’s words dripped with condescension, painting herself and her family as benevolent saints. It was almost impressive how shameless they were.
It came as no surprise to Janice. After all, they were family.
