But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, Jonathan had begun to feel a growing sense of unease. The bindings had started to chafe, and the kicking he had liked had left some parts of him sore that were Black and some were excruciatingly blue. He had tried to persuade Eun Ho to relent, to give him some respite, but she had refused.
Now, as he stood in the school hallway, Jonathan couldn't help but wonder what Eun Ho had planned for him next. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his mind racing with possibilities. He had been hooked on Eun Ho from the very beginning, and he knew that he was powerless to resist her.
Despite the discomfort and pain, Jonathan couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of excitement. He was trapped in a web of Eun Ho's making, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to escape. As he ended the phone call and turned back to the group, Jonathan's eyes met Eun Ho's, and he felt a jolt like he had been hit by lightning. He knew that he was in for a wild ride, and he wasn't sure if he was ready.
Eun Ho nodded and walked up to Selena, who seemed to be lost in her world. "Ready to head out, little Moon?" Eun Ho said, putting her hand warmly on her daughter's shoulder. Selena looked up, slightly startled, and smiled as she turned. Selena looked at Molly and James in the hallway and waved.
As they walked out of the school, Eun Ho's mind turned to the challenges of custody. It had been a difficult process, and she knew that McKenna's decision to attend military school had been a blessing in disguise. The school was closer to home, and McKenna seemed to be thriving in the structured environment.
But Eun Ho's thoughts were also consumed by her concerns about McKenna's behavior. She knew that her daughter had a penchant for malice, and she was determined to push her in a more positive direction. That's why she was grateful for Molly's influence in McKenna's life. Molly had a firm but gentle approach with McKenna, and her partner's ex-military background provided an added layer of support and discipline.
Eun Ho couldn't help but compare Molly's partner to Jonathan. While Jonathan was a loving and devoted father, he was also weak-willed and easily manipulated. Molly's partner, on the other hand, was a rock-solid presence in McKenna's life, providing a sense of stability and security that Eun Ho knew was essential for her daughter's well-being.
As they walked to the car, the phone call was itching at her brain and irritated her. She had assigned him a task, and she expected it to be completed by today. If it wasn't, she would have to take action, and Jonathan wouldn't like the consequences. Eun Ho's eyes narrowed as she thought about it. She was a woman who got what she wanted, no matter what it took.
As they walked out of the school, Jonah and Selena followed their parents and Molly and James into the bright sunlight. An employee approached Jonathan, handing him a few envelopes. Selena's eyes narrowed in confusion as she looked at her father, who sought permission with his eyes from her mother, Eun Ho. After receiving a nod from Eun Ho, Jonathan turned to Selena, his expression serious.
"Selena, we've been investigating how you ended up with the MacDonalds, and we found out something shocking," Jonathan began, his voice measured. "The nurse at the time, Tricia, was an old girlfriend of mine. I had left her for your mother, and she sought revenge by victimizing you and us."
Selena's eyes widened in stunned silence, and Molly and James gasped in horror. "That's awful. She messed up our lives for that?" Molly whispered, her face pale.
James shook his head, his eyes flashing with anger. A spurned lover fucked up their lives just to get revenge on this man?
"You just don't do something like that to get back at someone. It's pathetic. That's what years of petty vandalism and rumors about a small dick are for." Molly said. Selena snickered at Molly's remark; her mother had a really good wit.
Molly had an understanding of the Lowrie's now, and she was certain this woman was probably locked up somewhere, bearing or waiting for the Lowrie's wrath. She wanted to beat the woman to death herself.
The group fell silent, digesting the shocking revelation. Selena's mind reeled as she had never imagined that the circumstances surrounding her switch in the maternity ward were so sinister.
Just as the silence was becoming uncomfortable, Eun Ho spoke up, a small smile on her face. "As compensation for what Tricia did, we're giving you the deed to the Bloomis property, a commercial laundry operation formerly owned by Tricia and her husband, Bill Loomis."
Selena's eyes widened in surprise as Eun Ho handed her a deed. She took it, feeling a sense of wonder and gratitude. She looked up at her parents, her heart full of love and appreciation. "Thank you," she said, her voice trembling with excitement. She didn't need to start on a small scale.
"Can I talk to James about it? Quickly, I know we need to get going." Selena squealed. Selena's eyes widened as she took the deed, a sense of excitement and possibility washing over her. She bounced over to her Father.
James, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up as his daughter hugged him. "I'll take over running the laundry company fully, you can just focus on school and collect the dividends like you wanted to in college. It's just happening earlier," he said, a determined look on his face. An aide Jonathan sent was helping him arrange and hire staff already.
"We'll rebrand it as 'Patriot Laundry Services. ' Run by Patriots like war vets and like your Daddy." Selena said, excited that her plans had just accelerated. The branding would earn them so much more business. Especially from affluent people looking to virtue signal during the ongoing "war" in the Middle East.
Anyone with two brain cells knew the war on terror was a way to secure more oil and wealth for the nations involved. That's what invasions like this were like. Just ask the Philippines, which nearly had its independence before the United States military invaded it and took it from the Spanish.
Molly walked up, a smile on her face. She was now elevated in social class. Selena had promised her, when she suddenly matured, that she would take care of her in the future. To hold on.
"Wow, I didn't think you'd get this far in months. I'm proud of you. Even with the circumstances of you getting it, it is a huge win." Molly said. She tried her hardest to smile in front of these people. But she felt inadequate; all she could give was her love.
"Yeah, Mom-lly." Selena fumbled. She looked at Eun Ho and Molly, feeling guilty. Molly shrugged and smiled. She had two thick bundles of paper. It was both Jonah's and Selena's homework for the next month; she'd be in South Korea and the UK, meeting her grandparents and other relatives. No reason for the kids to fall behind.
"It's okay," Molly said quietly to reassure Selena. It was a tricky situation for the kids. It hurt, but to keep a place in her heart, she had to know her place.
She hadn't been away from her kid this much in a long time. Now she thought she'd lose her. Selena was doing mathematics, sciences, and writing beyond her education. After all, she dropped out when she was barely older than her.
Her GED prep was going well. She was more of an artistic person. James and the tutor helped. She'd pass this year. Then, I will go into fashion and design. They were in business now, and they could afford it.
Selena moved to the car to put her book bag in. She remembered to put in the buy request for the little book shipping company Liam had self-started. BookWorm, later Rhine, would make her independently obscenely rich. Just in case she had to cut ties with the Lowries or they acted against Molly and James.
"Hey, baby. Don't forget your homework." Molly said as she handed her kid her homework. She handed the second pile to Jonah, who grimaced.
Selena looked at the pile serenely. She was now in advanced placement and gifted programs at the school. It was crazy what proper medical care did for her. But at least she must have done something right. She used to hold her all the time to connect with her, play with her, and read.
Molly looked at her; so much had changed in the short time they had meshed the two families together. She looked healthier. Her hair was glossy, and her skin glowed now. She stared off into space less. She often wondered what she would be like if she had not been poisoned with drugs in the womb. Even McKenna looked great despite what she suffered. Turns out it was all about getting the right doctor. She just couldn't afford the care that she needed, and the insurance didn't cover any specialized care. They were saving for it, but everything just got worse when she started having the very frightening seizures months back. She felt like a horrible Mom.
Selena walked to Molly and hugged her. "Thank you. I am going to miss you so much, Mommy." Molly held the paper, enjoying the childishness of her daughter's clingy embrace, her smell. She kissed the top of her head.
Molly shook. "I love you, and I will miss you so much that my heart will explode. I don't know what I'd do without you." Selena felt her nose turn sour. She knew exactly what would happen if she left. Molly rapidly smooched her daughter.
The house was going to be so empty; McKenna did not want much to do with her, and she hated her. Molly certainly could not blame her for the hate; she poisoned her and caused her to have behavioral problems and learning disabilities. Maybe if she had the time, they could heal, but for now, it did not seem like it would be in the cards for her and McKenna.
Selena reluctantly parted with her mother. She would be staying with the Lowries for over a month as they first stopped in the UK to meet her grandparents and uncle's family, and then afterward, she would be flying to South Korea to meet her maternal grandmother and grandfather. It was kind of nice to meet her other family.
Molly's parents haven't talked to her since the custody battle. It got bitter. James did not talk to his parents because of what had happened between them. Until very recently, she only had two family members.
Selena soothed her Mother's worries. "Do not worry. Do you see how many security guards they have? Nobody will mug me or try to steal me and sell me with these big guys protecting me." Selena said.
Molly saw the ape, Angus, who crushed a tape recorder with his hands, smiling when he heard her daughter talk. It was at least comforting that any danger that stood between her and this wall of meat.
Angus looked at Molly and gave her a reassuring look. "Yeah, and my daughter will be protecting her at school soon," Angus said with some relief.
Now that they were down with the boarding school, he and Hannah would be seeing a lot more of their kids, Claire, Connor, and Seamus.
They were going to be choosing housing in the city around the school. Claire was his oldest and pride and joy. She could properly take on most adults.
Eun Ho looked over at the conversation, "Alright, let's get you home for your lesson, and then you all are going to the movies, huh? Are you sure it won't be too much for your little Moon? You can skip the lessons."
Selena wildly shook her head and answered, "No, I wanted these lessons, and they are paid for. I am sure as hell going to use them." Selena had wanted to learn to play an instrument in her past life; the fiddlers and guitarists in the Hub were the only entertainment other than storytelling for a while. There was no cable television or streaming services to entertain them.
Until they got the internet below the surface, it banded people together and staved off boredom. Dancing became a fad. If she had to compare it to anything, it was the steerage level of the Titanic. This disaster, at least this time, she would be Rose.