A Man with Nerves of Steel (Joseph Hart) novel Chapter 186

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Chapter 186

Joseph couldn’t answer. After all, this was the mess Cora had created. He had been kept in the dark for years. Selena threw herself into his arms and sobbed. He only patted her head gently without saying anything. He hadn’t gotten over this hurdle himself. How could he guide her through it?

The sound of Selena’s crying quickly drew everyone’s attention. Cora and the others rushed upstairs and found Joseph and Selena embracing each other.

Cora walked over and wrapped her arms around them both. In a gentle voice, she said, “Selena, your dad’s home now. We both love you very much. You’re going to be alright.”

Joseph and Cora soothed Selena. It was only after Selena fell asleep that they quietly went downstairs.

Joseph still felt a weight pressing against his chest. He stepped outside into the courtyard and lit a cigarette. Then, he noticed that several new carp had been added to the pond.

When dinner was served, Kimberly sat right next to Joseph. From time to time, she would reach out and rub his shaved head. She seemed to enjoy it.

“Joseph, you’ve been gone for many days. Don’t tell me you’ve actually been thinking about becoming a monk?” Natalie asked, studying Joseph. The question had been bothering her, and she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Watch your mouth. Is that any way to speak to your father? If I hear you speak in such a manner again, you’re going straight back to etiquette class,” warned Cora with a tone that carried authority.

“I’ll address him as my dad, alright? Dad, are you really planning to become a monk?” Natalie didn’t want to attend etiquette class. The rigid lectures were more exhausting than regular school.

Bernard and Helen stared at Joseph. They wished he would actually become a monk. That way, Cora would be free to find another husband. In their eyes, he had already become emotionally detached from the family and was no longer suitable as their son-in-law.

“What does becoming a monk mean? Is it fun? I want to become a monk with Dad,” said Kimberly innocently.

“I still have things to do, so I can’t become a monk. I did spend the past few days at a monastery, though. I ate there, slept there, and read books there. It was actually quite fun, but it isn’t a place for you,” responded Joseph.