Chapter 66
Brock was furious when he discovered that Josephine had the audacity to resign.
Seething with anger, he burst into his modest home, the door slamming behind him like a thunderclap.
“Grace!” he shouted at his wife, who was quietly folding laundry in the living room. Tomorrow, you’re opening the restaurant p>
Grace looked up, startled by his outburst. “What happened with Josephine p>
11
“She quit! Don’t ask any more questions!” he snapped, pacing the room like a caged animal.
Grace’s face paled.
“But… I don’t know how to cook p>
“Just do it like you always have!” Brock barked.
“Brock,” she pleaded, her eyes welling up. “I really don’t know how to run the restaurant. Can’t you find someone else p>
“Don’t argue with me!” he shouted, shoving her aside.
Grace stumbled, catching herself against the wall.
“When I tell you to do something, you do it p>
The next morning, Grace stood alone behind the counter of the bustling
restaurant, her hands trembling as she struggled to keep up with orders.
Brock sat at a corner table, arms crossed, glaring at her with a mixture of disdain and impatience.
The customers were growing restless.
“Hey! When’s our food coming? My break’s almost over!” a burly man called out, tapping his watch.
“This is ridiculous,” another customer muttered, pushing back his chair. “I’m leaving p>
Brock’s temper flared.
He stormed over to Grace, his face contorted with rage.
“It’s simple! Why can’t you handle it? The money is slipping away because of you p>
Grace’s patience snapped. “If it’s so simple, why don’t you do it yourself p>
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“You ungrateful-” Brock snarled, raising his hand.
A miner who had been watching stood up from his seat.
“Hey, pal, that’s enough. Keep your hands off her p>
Brock whirled around. “Mind your own business! She’s my wife; I’ll do as I please.” “Not here, you won’t p>
“Fuck off p>
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Before Brock could react, the miner landed a solid punch to his face, breaking his nose with a sickening crunch.
Brock stumbled backward, blood gushing as he let out a howl of pain.
“You’ll pay for that!” Brock screamed, grabbing a chair and swinging it wildly.
Two more miners joined in, and together they subdued Brock, leaving him bruised and battered on the floor.
Meanwhile, at the orphanage, Alex was hard at work with a toolbox by his side.
He fixed the children’s beds, repaired the creaky bathroom door, and mended the worn sections of the old fence.
The children buzzed around him, pointing out things that needed attention and chattering excitedly.
“It’s such a blessing to have a capable young man around,” Ruth said from her wheelchair at
the kitchen table.
“Just so you know, this is all volunteer work,” Josephine reminded Alex as she stirred a pot of stew. “We don’t have any money to pay you p>
Alex wiped the sweat from his brow and grinned.
“Don’t worry. Where kindness meets duty, it feels a lot like love.” 1
She glanced at him, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “Suit yourself p>
He smirked. “Besides, if you were paying me, you couldn’t afford my hourly rate anyway. Just * be grateful and maybe whip up some of that amazing fried rice for me p>
Josephine rolled her eyes. “Confident, aren’t we? Unemployed and full of yourself -you must think you’re a real prince p>
“I’m more than a prince,” he shot back playfully.
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“Keep dreaming,” she retorted, shaking her head. 1
Their banter flowed naturally, each teasing remark met with a quick-witted reply.
Ruth watched them with a twinkle in her eye.
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The orphanage had been filled with worry for so long, but now, laughter echoed in
the halls. The children’s faces were brighter, their smiles wider.
Suddenly, Ruth’s phone buzzed with a notification. 1
She glanced at the screen, her expression turning serious.
“Josephine, Alex, you need to get to the restaurant right away p>
A few minutes later, they stood in front of the restaurant, their hearts sinking at the
sight.
The place was half-destroyed, windows shattered, tables overturned.
Inside, Mrs. Doris was attempting to sweep up broken glass, her frail hands trembling.
“Mrs. Hathaway, please, let me help you,” Josephine said gently, rushing to her side.
Alex began clearing debris.
“Jo,” Doris said softly as she eased into a chair.
“I spoke with Ruth. She’s agreed to rent this place for a year. I want you to have
it p>
Josephine stared at her in disbelief. “But… why p>
Doris picked up a faded photograph
Doris Parby table, her eyes r
from a
in the hospital, he wo to run this place p>
“That’s terrible. I’m so sorry p>
“Just say you’ll keep it alive,” Doris whispered.
be
She gave Josephine’s hand a gentle squeeze before rising to leave, Grace helping her to the door.
As they left, Josephine stood amidst the wreckage, a mixture of hope and
uncertainty swirling within her.
“So, boss, are you hiring p>
She turned to Alex, arching an eyebrow. “Afraid I can’t afford someone with such
an inflated’ hourly rate p>
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He shrugged casually. “For a
hardworking, charming woman/ket
you, settle for three
hour. Just like we agreed.” C
A faint blush colored her cheeks. “You’re insufferable p>
“And yet, here I am,” he quipped, a mischievous glint in his
eye.
They spent the rest of the day cleaning the restaurant together.
Later, they headed to the market to gather supplies for the grand reopening.
“Alex, could you grab that sack of rice?” Josephine asked, pointing to a hefty bag on a high
shelf.
He reached up effortlessly. “You mean this one? Didn’t think you’d be able to lift it with those noodle arms of yours p>
She shot him a playful glare. “And I didn’t think you’d be so full of yourself p>
He grinned. “Confidence is key p>
As they walked through the market, their bickering continued, each exchange more lighthearted than the last.
“Thank you, Mrs. Stone,” Josephine said warmly to the elderly grocer as she paid for their items.
Mrs. Stone smiled kindly. “Always a pleasure, dear p>
She turned to Alex, handing him an apple. “Here you go, young man. On the
house p>
“Wow, thanks!” Alex took a bite, savoring the crisp sweetness. “Delicious p>
The old woman leaned in conspiratorially. “You take good care of her, you hear p>
He nodded earnestly. “I’ll do my best p>
“See that you do,” she said with a wink.
Over the next few days, the restaurant began to come alive again.
Alex helped with repairs, and Josephine rehired some of the old staff.
One afternoon, as the lunch rush was winding down, Josephine called out, “Alex,
could you take this fried rice to table five p>
“On it,” he replied, grabbing the plate.
As he approached the table, he stopped short.
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Sitting there were Sophia Lancaster and her parents.
in.
Mrs. Lancaster’s eyes narrowed. “Well, look who it is. Working place like this. How much are they paying
you? Ten dollars ane
“Three dollars an hour, actually,” Alex responded calmly.
She scoffed. “I suppose everyone ends up where they belong p>
Sophia’s gaze lingered on Alex, doubt clouding her expression.
This man was really poor… did she want to reconsider him as a husband?
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