When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 257

For a man to be so violent toward a woman, he had to have been cheated on.

Artina scrambled out of the hospital like a beaten dog. Even inside her car, she was still gasping for breath, her heart pounding. The car and the condo were gone, and now she'd lost the necklace too. The money meant nothing to him, yet he was taking back every last thing. So stingy. What was all that earlier generosity for, then?

Unable to swallow her anger, Artina's thoughts turned to one person who might be able to help her. It was a long shot, but it was better than doing nothing at all.

She found Leticia Nash at the university. Leticia had just finished lunch and had a few easy classes in the afternoon. Seeing Artina's disheveled state, she was shocked and immediately asked what had happened.

Artina led her to a nearby café and got a private room. As soon as the door was closed, she fell to her knees before Leticia.

Startled again, Leticia exclaimed, "What on earth is wrong with you? Why are you kneeling?" She tried to pull Artina up, but she wouldn't budge.

Sobbing uncontrollably, Artina told her everything—from her perspective, of course. All she knew was that she had been "violated," gotten pregnant, and tried to trick Jethro, which had made him furious. She was oblivious to the fact that Jethro knew about all her sordid dealings. She believed that if she just insisted she was a victim and that her deception was a desperate act to present her best self to the man she loved, she could be forgiven.

That's why she was fighting so hard to reconcile with him. If she had known he was aware of her schemes, she wouldn't have bothered. It would be impossible. But in her ignorance, she sought out Leticia, hoping for an ally, however unlikely.

After hearing the story, Leticia was utterly stunned. It took her several seconds to process it. Looking at the weeping Artina, she slapped her hard across the face. "How dare you?" she seethed. "That's my brother you're talking about! Get lost! Or I'll throw you in the Juno City River to feed the fish!"

Leticia was furious. She had actually liked Artina before and was ready to be on her side. She had even told Henrietta how sweet, innocent, and pure Artina seemed.

Leticia kicked Artina over and stood to leave, but Artina grabbed her leg, wailing that she was the victim and her lies were born of desperation. She knew she was wrong, she cried, but she loved Jethro and wanted to build a real life with him.

Her tears made Leticia frown. Though furious about the deception, she found a sliver of Artina's logic compelling. It was almost understandable. A girl would want to show her best side to the man she loves. And who could bring themselves to talk about something so traumatic? She must have felt she had to handle it herself and, in a moment of panic, made a terrible choice.

"I'll think about it," Leticia finally said.

A glimmer of hope appeared in Artina's eyes. "I'll wait for you! Thank you, Leticia, you're the most wonderful girl in the world! You're so beautiful, generous, and kind-hearted. You’re the only one who doesn’t blame the victim. It’s true what they say—women should always have each other’s backs."

Artina waited at the university gate until Leticia finished her classes in the afternoon. Ultimately, Leticia decided to help.

Artina was terrified of what Jethro might do. Even if Henrietta wanted to support her, what if Jethro wouldn't let it go? Could Henrietta protect her? Probably not. Not even Henrietta could shield her from the Nash family's wrath. And that Yosef seemed to despise her too. If both brothers were against her, she was finished.

Since Jethro would never forgive her or take her back, and he'd reclaimed all the money and property, this was the only question that mattered.

Jethro didn't answer. Instead, he called for the butler to release the hounds.

Jethro kept a pack of elite guard dogs—massive Mastiffs and lean, lethal hounds. The moment security brought them out, Artina was scared half to death.

Seeing this, Leticia knew her brother was genuinely enraged. "We should go," she said.

Jethro was in no mood to deal with his sister, but he still told her, "Get back to the family estate immediately. And stay away from her. I forbid you from ever seeing her again! If you do, I'll have Mom, Dad, and Yosef freeze your accounts. You won't get a single penny!"

Fuming, Leticia grabbed Artina and left.