Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Wyatt saw him falter. With no rush, he grabbed his cane and pushed himself up from the ground-slow, deliberate, unshaken.
He was young. Jackson wasn’t. No matter how fierce Jackson had been in his heyday, time had curved his spine. And now Wyatt stood tall, looking down at him.
Jackson’s jaw was tight. Even knowing the Powell family was now at a disadvantage, he still had the audacity to propose terms. “Hand the Western Suburbs over to Jensen. You can support him from the side.”
Wyatt scoffed and rolled up his sleeves. “You’re out of your damn mind.” I nearly died getting that land. And now I’m supposed to gift-wrap it for Jensen?
Jackson’s eyes sharpened with menace. “What about the stuff you left with me? You ready to lose that?”
Wyatt shrugged. “You’ve been holding that over me for years. Don’t you think it’s time you found a new move?”
Jackson blinked, stunned. He never thought Wyatt would stop flinching at that particular threat.
Panic crept in fast. He couldn’t get rid of Wyatt, but he couldn’t control him anymore either. And now the whole situation was slipping out of his hands.
Wyatt saw it hit him and grinned. “Next time, don’t let Paul land in my lap. Or I’ll make sure he learns what it’s like to walk with a limp.”
Jackson’s face went stone-cold. Not a word in return. He got it now. The days of keeping Wyatt under his heel were gone-and they weren’t coming back.
Jackson watched Wyatt walk away-calm, unshaken, every step solid. Panic finally set in. He yelled, desperate now. “Forget the Western Suburbs for a second. But your marriage? That needs to happen! Paul’s already grown. He can’t get married before his own uncle!”
Wyatt gave a dry scoff, never slowing down. “Paul’s love life isn’t my darn problem.”
Jackson was out of cards and still went all in. “If you go get married-get the papers signed-I’ll return what’s yours.”
Wyatt stopped for the briefest moment, then answered without even looking back. “Suit yourself.”
The heavy front doors swung open. Bright light poured in and lit him up. Jordan stood waiting outside. He flicked out his blazer and gently laid it across Wyatt’s back, covering the bruises as they walked on.
Paul stood there with his arms crossed, cold-eyed and seething.
Wyatt hadn’t even looked at him on the way out-and that stung worse than a slap. He turned to Linda. “Madam Linda, what did Grandpa say to him?”
Linda usually bent over backward for Paul. She rarely said no to him. But this time, she just gave a small shake of her head. Jackson had sent her away too. Whatever went down in that room-she didn’t hear it either.
Paul’s stomach twisted with frustration. Next time, I swear, I’m gonna make Wyatt eat dirt in front of everyone.
“Mr. Jackson,” Linda’s reminder snapped everyone to attention as Jackson finally stepped out. “Grandpa…” Paul was just about to approach him, but to his surprise, Jackson walked right past and headed straight for Yunice.
Yunice had long since finished feeding the fish. She leaned on the railing, staring blankly at the lake. A few koi fish clustered near her, their round mouths pecking gently at the surface. Jackson’s sudden attention pulled Yunice out of her daze. She turned to face him and stood properly. Even if she couldn’t stand him deep down, appearances still had to be kept up. Owen’s worried gaze flicked between Jackson and Yunice; he feared Jackson might hold a grudge and jeopardize Elsie’s marriage. Just as he was about to say something to smooth things over-
Jackson raised a hand, signaling him to stop. His eyes landed on the scarf around Yunice’s neck. Embroidered at the end was a koi fish; he hadn’t seen wrong-this was the same scarf from his memories. Looking up, Jackson’s face softened into a kind smile as he focused on Yunice’s face, speaking warmly. “What happened to your face?”
Yunice replied, “Just bumped into something.”
Behind him, Paul turned his head awkwardly, clearly uneasy. Jackson nodded. “You’re young, and in good shape; this kind of injury’s nothing.” Then he added, “About your engagement to Paul… I’ve always felt I owe you. That’s a debt I need to repay.”
Yunice’s expression was blank, but her stomach knotted up. What is this old man playing at now?
But as soon as Owen heard the word “repay,” his face lit up with joy. It looked like Jackson had more of a conscience than Jensen-finally, he was thinking about compensating the Saunders family. If Yunice would speak up for Elsie, then arranging the marriage between her and Paul would be even easier.
After exchanging a few vague pleasantries with Yunice, Jackson suddenly acted tired and asked Linda to see the guests out.
Once Owen and Yunice had left, Paul blocked Jackson’s way, blurting out, “Grandpa, what did you mean by repaying a debt? You’re not thinking of making me and Yunice-“
Jackson cut him off before he could finish. “You’ll find out in a few days.”
If he didn’t want to say, one was getting it out of him. Something else came to mind; Jackson paused mid-step and warned, “You better rein it in. Stay away from that mad dog.”
One of these days, I’m going to break Byatt’s other leg; let’s see how he keeps yapping after that.
In the car, Owen seemed in high spirits-probably because of Jackson’s promise to repay the debt. Yunice patted herself down and suddenly said, “Owen, I think you grabbed the wrong phone.”
“Did-?” Owen reached into his pocket and, sure enough, pulled out Elsie’s old phone-the very one Yunice had been using. “How’d your phone end up with me?” Owen handed it back.
Yunice took it. “I left it on the center console; you must’ve grabbed it by habit.” Owen remembered that he did have a habit of grabbing things for Elsie without thinking, so he didn’t question it. Feeling victorious, he sped up on the way back to the Saunders mansion.
As soon as his car pulled in, Lily and Elsie rushed out to greet him, both anxious to hear what kind of outcome Owen had brought back from the Powell family. Faced with their anxious faces, Owen looked like a triumphant general, nodding at both of them. Knowing the marriage was all but secured, Elsie felt a wave of relief wash over her. Lily clasped her hands together and thanked Buddha for the blessing.
That’s when Elsie noticed Yunice trailing behind them. Her pink scarf looked… unusual. She frowned slightly. “Yunice, your scarf is really pretty; I don’t remember you wearing it when you left.”
Owen chuckled. “Probably from Mr. Jackson. He’s still looking out for her.” With that, he took his seat and poured himself a cup of tea.
Elsie’s eyes stayed locked on Yunice’s scarf, filled with jealousy. Mr. Jackson gave her that? Does that mean he hasn’t completely written her off?
Owen sipped his tea and set down the cup; after a moment’s thought, he turned to Yunice and said bluntly, “Yunice, back at Maplecrest Manor, Paul begged me-be insisted on marrying Elsie. I could tell he’s really over you. Whatever messy history you two had three years ago, he’s not taking responsibility anymore.”
At that, both Elsie and Lily looked at Yunice with a mix of pity and unease. Three years ago… back then, word had spread that Paul and Yunice had gone too far. But since they were engaged, no one made a public fuss about it.
Jackson had said he owed her a debt-but this was the debt: her reputation ruined, her engagement broken. Both of them had made mistakes, yet Paul remained in demand while Yunice had become, in his eyes, secondhand goods.
Owen had agreed to let Yunice marry into the Johnson family, but deep down, he had already lost respect for her. With her tarnished name, what respectable family would still want her? The Johnson family had been her best option-and now even they didn’t want her. All Owen could do was place his hopes on Elsie, praying her future would be brighter. But he feared Yunice might grow bitter and sabotage things.
So he kept trying to persuade her. “Owen gave Paul a good beating for what he did to you, but he still wouldn’t budge. Yunice, listen to Owen, don’t waste your energy on someone who’s not worth it. Let him go.”
Yunice almost laughed. She wanted nothing more than to throw Elsie’s phone right at Owen’s face, to make him take a good look. Elsie had bugged her phone; Yunice had long since replaced the receiver. There was no way Owen could have known that he’d been carrying Elsie’s old phone-and everything he and Paul said had already been heard loud and clear by Yunice.
Sure, he beat Paul up-but it wasn’t for her. Everything he said, every word of concern, had been about Elsie. He’d even used her as a pawn to pressure Paul, letting her sit at the door and get humiliated just to force Paul’s hand! Even the so-called guilt Paul owed her ended up getting repaid-to Elsie.
Paul had already failed her. Now he was going to fail Elsie too? What a joke. Why did my suffering have to be doubled and handed to Elsie as compensation? And what about me? Am I just born to pave the way for Elsie? Yunice had once thought Owen, for all his bias, still had a shred of decency.
If she hadn’t overheard the truth this time, she never would have realized just how good he was at playing the good guy. She wanted so badly to throw that bug right in his face and watch his expression as the mask cracked. But she was curious to see what else he was planning.
Yunice smiled. “I said I didn’t want him anymore when I signed the cancellation papers. I even wished him and Elsie a lifetime of entanglement.” She said exactly what Owen wanted to hear, but the way she said it-it stung.
Owen frowned. “You’re not a kid anymore; can’t you watch your mouth? ‘Entanglement’? It’s called a happy union.” Even Lily shot Yunice a disapproving glance, probably thinking she was being spiteful.
Still, Owen let it go, figuring she didn’t know any better. He simply asked, “So you’re okay with Elsie and Paul getting married!” Yunice nodded. “I’m fine with it.”
Owen jumped in right away. “Then I’m sure you’ll be willing to put in a good word for Paul with Mr. Jackson?” Yunice’s expression chilled-clearly, she hadn’t expected Owen to wring out even the last bit of usefulness she had, just for Elsie.
Sure, Jackson felt a little guilty toward her-but anyone with any sense knew this would be the last time Yunice could make a request of the Powell family. Once it was used, they’d never show her that courtesy again. And even this one shot-she wasn’t allowed to use it for herself.
Owen didn’t wait for her to decline. He cut her off, saying, “No need to talk to Mr. Jackson now. Wait a few days, follow my lead.” Yunice’s eyes flashed with surprise. Why wait a few days? Did Owen and Paul have something planned that she had already missed?
Owen stood and patted her shoulder, trying to comfort her. “Yunny, once Elsie gets married, you’ll be the only sister Owen has left. From then on, I treat you better than anyone.” He made it sound like reassurance, but it was more for himself-as if saying it out loud could soothe his own conscience.
Of course, Yunice saw through it. She sneered. That’s a funny thing to say-like Elsie stops being your sister the moment she gets married. Are you saying you won’t treat her well anymore?
Owen froze, instinctively glancing at Elsie. Sure enough, her eyes welled up. “Owen, is that really how you feel?” Owen faltered. But the words were already out. He couldn’t take them back. Instead, he turned and glared at Yunice, convinced she was just bitter and trying to stir up trouble.
So much for him meaning to make it up to her. It looked like he’d wasted his kindness for nothing! Whatever guilt he’d still had for Yunice vanished. Furious, he snapped, “Nobody asked you to talk! From now on, stay out of the Saunders family’s business. Go to your room and think about how to speak properly!”
With that, he ignored her completely, shutting the door behind him as he went off with Elsie and Lily to discuss the next steps.
Everything Owen had just said felt like a cruel joke. He’d told Yunice not to interfere with the Saunders family’s affairs, but he’d never given her a chance to be involved in the first place. Yunice didn’t care what schemes they were cooking up to get Elsie married into the Powell family. She actually couldn’t wait to see what kind of life that pathetic couple would end up living after their wedding. Yunice didn’t bother snooping on whatever plans Elsie was whispering about upstairs, even though she could have easily pulled the surveillance footage from the study.
What had her attention right now was Jackson. What exactly is he up to? Only someone as naive as Owen would actually believe Jackson felt guilty. Jackson had treated his own son with ruthless coldness; he wouldn’t have shown mercy to Yunice. People like Jackson never made a move unless there was something in it for them. The shift in his attitude had to be about some hidden benefit. Yet, even Yunice couldn’t figure out what value she still had left.
Just then, a faint vibration buzzed at her side. It was a spare phone Yunice had bought off the black market-she always kept it close, hidden from the rest of the Saunders family. Only two people ever messaged her at that number-Gill and Joe. She hadn’t saved Joe’s number, and this text was from an unknown sender: “Ms. Saunders, this is Joe. Sorry to bother you, but do you happen to know any remedies for external injuries?”
External injuries? Joe was a renowned doctor-treating wounds was routine for him. He was probably asking for something to ease pain and make the process more tolerable for his patient. Yunice actually knew a few remedies, so she texted back: “Mix equal parts of frankincense and myrrh, grind them into a fine powder, and apply it directly to the wound. It’ll help clean out dead tissue, promote healing, relieve pain, and stop the bleeding.”