Until We Met Again ( Rowan and Johnson )
Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Karla had tried her hand at chess with him a few times, and each game ended with her on the losing side, But whenever she lost, she’d throw a fit like a child denied candy, rolling around and making a scene. Still, she was hooked–addicted to the game despite her losses. Eventually, Rowan began to throw matches on purpose, just to see her beam with unearned triumph for the rest of the day.

Rowan couldn’t fathom the joy in besting a kid, especially when he was letting her win on purpose. But there was no denying it–seeing Karla’s exuberant face lifted his spirits in a way he hadn’t expected. He grew accustomed to her constant chatter and laughter, and her presence made the room that once felt like a prison somewhat less daunting.

Before he knew it, a month had flown by with Karla there. During that time, she wasn’t idle. In the dead of night, she’d sneak around to familiarize herself with the estate. Eventually, she know it like the back of her hand.

Technically, it was a manor, but it wasn’t bustling with people. There were only about seven or eight maids, a gardener, a couple of chefs, and a butler who had been away on an extended trip and showed no signs of returning–much to Karla’s annoyance.

After some digging, Karla realized that the true residents of the manor were just Rowan and his mom–a fact that seemed odd. It’s like they were being financially supported by someone wealthy, living here in seclusion away from the public eye.

Karla was curious about Rowan’s past, about his claim that his birth was the result of his mother being assaulted by a man. She wanted to know more, but she wouldn’t push him to talk about it if he was unwilling.

It was during an innocent cavesdrop that Karla overheard Rita the maid gossiping with her colleagues, and she pieced together more of the story, including the identity of that mon–Rowan’s father, Landon.

Rowan’s mother, Joana, was a Southern belle from an intellectual family. However, her life took a tragic turn when she went abroad to study.

The story was a cliché: Joana fell for a man during her studies abroad, and that man–Nicholas–reciprocated her feelings. But this love was not to be, as Landon, a man who played by no rules, decided he wanted her.

Landon was the sort of man who took what he wanted at any cost. If he couldn’t have something, he’d rather destroy it than let anyone else have it. And so, he forced Joana to bear his child and marry him through despicable means.

Joana’s feelings for Landon were pure loathing. She attempted to flee several times, only to be violently reeled back in. Domestic abuse was a grim reality for her, a far cry from the romantic dramas where the heroine replaces a way out. Each escape attempt ended with her being battered to the point of spitting blood.

Rowan grew up witnessing his mother’s torment and even faced her wrath himself, as she

12

1007

leshed out of him, wishing him dead with a twitted face of hatred The

fueled

to Landon only fanied her fury, doing her to yeterical fire

Karla preced together these fragments is a harrowing renue, though the new mat that such snippets didri ampum to solid evidence. The truth of the mory remained to be verified

Ar a police officer, the couldn’t jump to conclusione fased on hearsay degandiren of the veracity, one thing was clear Rowan was a victim in this trage nags

Could she pity Joane? Yet, but nnocence was debatable. The harm, Joana inflicted was antched into her bone lite, and while Karle fat sorry for han she couldch song haraf ts sympathize

Karla had thought her days with Rowan would continue without incident uniti bune mnium, but one moming. Rowan broke the routine with startling newe

“He’s back” he told her

Karla was slow on the uptake “Who’s back?”

“Landon my father

Karia froze. Landon was back?