Burn Those Who Burned Me novel Chapter 207

Chapter 207

Chapter 4: A not so welcomed home.

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Josie got to the Taylor estate around 2:30pm. As she walked up to the gate, a feeling of numbness rush ed over her. It had been four years since she last stepped foot in the house, but her hatred was tenfold. As she rang the doorbell, she could hear voices on the inside.

“Yes, may I help…young miss? Is that you?”

The head maid Rhonda’s eyes widen as she realized it was Josie.

“Hello Rhonda. It’s nice to see you.‘

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“Oh, yes!! Please come in! The sir and madam informed me of your arrival!”

Josie smiled lightly, Rhonda was always nice her. As she made her way into the mansion, everything wa

s basically the same. Some minor changes of décor here and there, but for the most part, the same.

As Josie walked passed the foyer, she could hear her mother.

“Josie? Is that you? Oh my goodness!!! Welcome home!!”

Laura rushed over to Josie, a bright smile on her face. You would have thought Josie had just got home

from college instead of prison.

“Well, look at you! Welcome home!”

Josie didn’t say a word; she just stared at Laura. Feeling uneasy, Laura began to make small talk.

“Well, I’m sure you’re hungry! I had the cook prepare all of your favorites!”

Josie still said nothing; what she really wanted to know is how her mother even knew what her favorite

s were. Just then, Harold walked in.

“Welcome home Josie. What took you so long?”

Josie looked at Harlod, a distant disgust in her eyes caused him to slightly shudder.

“I took the bus.”

Laura smiled nervously.

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“Oh, yes… Chris told us about that…why didn’t you let him give you a ride home?”

Josie looked back at her mother.

“I didn’t want to get his car dirty.”

Her voice was flat, emotionless…almost robotic. It was making Laura feel uncomfortable.

“Oh for Christ sake Josie, you don’t have to act like this. We’re you’re family after all!”

Laura looked over Harlod with a nervous expression.

“It’s okay Harold. Maybe it felt good riding the bus.”

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Harlod however was growing tired of her distant behavior; before prison, Josie used to always flutter ar ound with bouncing energy.

“Well what the hell is this behavior for! You have been home five minutes and already-”

“Already what? Is there a particular way you think someone should act after coming home from prison Mr.

Taylor?”

“That’s not what I’m saying! I’m….did you call me Mr. Taylor?”

Harold’s eyes widen. He couldn’t believe it! Josie used to call him dad so much it drove him crazy! Now it was Mr. Taylor. Laura frantically looked at Josie.

J–Josie dear….why are you calling your father Mr. Taylor?”

Josie looked at Laura with a stoic expression.

“Because according to Mr. Taylor, he’s no longer my father.”

Laura’s eyes widen; guilt poured through. She’d forgotten about Harold disowning Josie. Harold’s expr

ession darkened, he hadn’t expected that news to reach her.

“How did you know about that?”

Josie stared directly at Harold.

“They made sure I saw it in prison when I asked why you wouldn’t take my calls.”

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Harold’s brows furrowed, guilt began to seep through. He’d intentionally disconnected with Josie in or der to please the board. Surely she would understand that.

“Josie…what I did was for the sake-”

“It’s no need to explain Mr. Taylor. The other Mr. Taylor already did. I understand.”

“Well, if you understand why are you calling Mr.-”

“Just want to make sure you keep the board happy. If you’ll excuse me.”

Laura and Harold stared nervously at Josie.

“S–Sure… Um…we’ve made a welcome home dinner. When you get settled in; come down and eat.”

Josie didn’t say a word. She just walked past Harold. As soon as she was out of ear–shot, Harold fumed.

“What the hell was that all about!”

Before Laura could answer, Jamie and Vanessa walked into the foyer.

“Is Josie home!!”

Vanessa asked brightly.

“Yes, um…she’s upstairs now getting settled.”

Jamie looked surprised.

“Really? And she didn’t say anything to us? That’s weird, she’s usually happy to see everyone.”

Harold scoffed.

“I don’t know what the hell is wrong with that girl!”

“Harold…maybe we should give her time. She did just spend four years in prison.”

Suddenly, Vanessa began to cry,

“This is all my fault isn’t it!!! If I hadn’t…if I hadn’t!!!”

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Before she could get the words out, everyone immediately started comforting her.

“Ness stop it!! It’s not your fault! Look Josie is fine…I’m sure she’s just tired.”

Jamie rubbed her back as he tried to reassure her.

“Yes sweetie, none of this on you. Josie will be fine.”

Laura said in a soothing tone.

“You would think the girl did 100 years instead of four! All this drama! What does she want from us!”

Harold stormed off leaving the three of them in the foyer. Suddenly, Vanessa became cheerful again.

“Maybe I should go see her!”

Laura immediately stopped her.

“Nessie…sweetie…I don’t think that’s a good idea. She just got home; why don’t we let her get settled.”

Vanessa’s eyes flashed a ping of irritation before her sugary mask came back.

“You’re right mom, her resting is for the best.”

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They all made their way back into the grand room. Christian stood in the stairway witnessing the entir e exchange. Irritated, he made his way to Josie’s room. He couldn’t understand why she was being so di

fficult.

As he approached her room, Christian didn’t even knock, he just burst in causing Josie to panic.

“What the fuck!!! Don’t you knock!!!”

Christian was completely taken

aback, in the past, Josie never said so much as a word like damn, let alone use hard profanity.

He was just about to say something when he noticed her back. There were bruises all over her. Some w ere older than the others. Christian’s eyes widen in horror.

“What happened to you?”

His voice was low and rough. Josie quickly pulled her shirt over. Ignoring Christian’s question.

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“What do you want Mr. Taylor?”

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“Josie! Enough! I’m you’re brother! Now stop with the Mr. Taylor and tell me what happened to your back!”

Josie stared at Christian with no emotion. It was too late for him to play the dutiful brother.

“Is that why your burst into my room?”

“No…I-”

“Then I reiterate….what do you want Mr. Taylor? Because there is absolutely no reason for me to call you a nything else. You made your stance very clear about who and what you were four years ago. As for my back ….it’s none of your business…it’s not like you can do anything about it.”

Christian’s eyes widen in slight panic. What the hell happened to her while she was

in there? Sure, they hadn’t come to visit, but that prison was well aware she was a Tay…suddenly…

Christian realized something.

“I–Is this because father denounced you?”

Josie smiled sardonically but refused to answer. As she walked past Christian, he grabbed her arm.

“Josie…I am still your brother. Tell me what happened.”

Josie looked at Christian, unmoved by his brotherly love.

“You’ve got all the answers right? Figure it out on your own.”

Josie snatched her arm out of his grasp and went downstairs leaving Christian in shock.

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