Abandoned by All I Took It All Back novel Chapter 224

Before Janina could finish, Grace cut her off. "You just stay home and rest. The weather is hot, and your father and I can go by ourselves. Natalie, you take good care of your sister."

"Your mother's right. The school is quite a distance from here. Given your condition, you shouldn't be running around," Ethan added. He took off his apron and went to the kitchen to wash his hands.

"Don't you worry, I'll take great care of Janina," Natalie said, smiling at Janina. "Janina, you can try my cooking for lunch."

All the Holt children knew how to cook; it was a skill they had learned from a young age.

Back then, when farm work was demanding, the children not only had to help in the fields but also cook and do chores.

As the saying goes, children from poor families grow up fast. Thankfully, none of the Holt kids had gone down the wrong path.

Janina cleaned her mouth. "Great, I've never tried your cooking before."

After Ethan and Grace got ready, they left. West was driving them today, so the trip would be quick, about an hour.

After breakfast, Natalie accompanied Janina for a walk downstairs.

The sun wasn't out, but it was a bit muggy. Staying indoors felt even stuffier, so Janina decided to take a stroll around the residential complex.

After walking for a bit, they saw a group of people standing under a tree, chatting about something.

As they passed, a neighbor who recognized them waved at Janina. "Janina, out for a walk?"

"Yes, ma'am," Janina replied with a smile. These women were more familiar with Grace; Janina didn't even know their names. She just called the younger ones 'miss' and the older ones 'ma'am.'

Natalie helped Janina sit down on a long bench.

The neighbor who spoke first added, "Exactly! A few days ago, I heard Jarvis fight back. He said he wants a divorce, that he can't stand Abigail's temper anymore."

"Good for him. She always used to love showing off in front of us, bragging about how capable her daughter was, how wonderful her daughter's boyfriend was, and all the things he bought for her. Now look at her, hiding at home, too afraid to come out!"

"I feel so sorry for Jarvis, married to such a shrew. You never see him smile. I saw him the other day, and he's lost so much weight."

"Yes, yes, I saw that too! A few days ago, I saw Jarvis carrying a suitcase and almost didn't recognize him. His clothes were hanging off him."

The women went on, exchanging gossip about Abigail.

Janina and Natalie had heard enough to piece it all together.

No wonder Marjorie had acted so strangely when she saw West and had desperately texted him. She and Clark had broken up.