Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Grandpa Brandon felt the firm grip on his arm as Oliver spoke with calm assurance. "Grandpa, stay here. I'll handle this. If he can't see me, he will keep making a fuss." Striding purposefully upstairs, Oliver led the way with Shay trailing close behind him. Below, Josefina watched the two figures ascend the staircase, her brow furrowing.

In the room upstairs, Rowan gripped a paring knife with a crazed intensity, hovering it dangerously near his throat. But it was more of a threat than an action, and he hadn't begun to cut. Sydney shouted in a panic, "Oliver, please, talk some sense into your dad! He's threatening to hurt himself. If he really needs to go out, let him. Being cooped up is driving him insane." Oliver let out a derisive laugh. "Is it him going mad, or is it driving you up the wall?"

Stung by his words, Sydney's face flushed with embarrassment. Around Oliver, she felt as insignificant as a scolded child, simmering with anger but too afraid to speak.

Shay, standing to Oliver's right, was visibly distressed, her hand on his arm. Oliver, sensing this, deftly stepped aside to avoid her touch, keeping his sleeve pristine. His eyes blazed with fury as he snapped at Shay, "Don't touch me."

Shay stood frozen, her hand still raised in the air. Was a simple touch on the arm too much to ask for? Tears quickly filled her eyes. "Oliver, I didn't mean anything by it."

Sydney's own anger also flared. "Oliver! Shay meant no harm. Why do you have to be so harsh? Why take the issues between adults out on a child?"

Shay tugged at her mother's arm, shaking her head. "Mom, please don't. It's not his fault."

Rowan, brandishing the paring knife, lunged at Oliver furiously. "She's your sister! How can you treat her like this? Oliver, I swear I'll end you, you ungrateful bastard."

As the knife came at him, Oliver dodged and grabbed Rowan's wrist, disarming him and pressing the blade against his neck just enough to make a point.

Oliver was adept at controlling his strength. He wouldn't endanger Rowan's life, just ensure he learned his lesson.

Sydney screamed in horror while Shay gaped at Oliver, her disbelief written all over her face.

"Oliver..."

Oliver, knife in hand, blood dripping from the tip. Rowan clutched his neck, blood flowing down, a ghastly sight to behold.

Oliver smirked, his smile wicked and arrogant. "Thought about ending it all, huh? I was just lending a hand."

Rowan pointed at Oliver, his lips quivering with rage. "You, you're crazy!"Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

"And what does that make you?"

Oliver retorted with scorn. "If you don't want to die, stay put. If you do

don't wriad of ways to go about

I have a

it. Feel free to pick one." He tossed the knife into the trash can and turned to leave.

Rowan's eyes were bloodshot as he fixated on Oliver's retreating figure. He retrieved the paring knife from the trash and stabbed it towards Oliver's back.

"Oliver!"

Josefina, her gown's hem in hand, rushed forward and kicked Rowan's hand with precision. The knife clattered to the floor.

As Oliver and Josefina's eyes met, Josefina's heart skipped a beat. She had slipped up. No time to dwell on that she had to get to Oliver.

Oliver stumbled into Josefina, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.

As for Rowan, his hand was so badly hurt it seemed paralyzed, the fingers unable to straighten.

Holding Josefina close, Oliver gazed

at her with deep affection, a doting

smile on his lips. His voice was smooth and rich as he murmured, "Josie, you saved me. How can ever repay you? Maybe I should devote myself to you entirely."