Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Owen’s eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. He felt like his whole family was being humiliated and bullied. To him, it felt like the entire room had joined Yunice in ganging up on them.
The ultrasound probe slid slowly across Elsie’s abdomen. The monitor showed a clear image of her internal state.
After about ten minutes, the doctor put the probe down and stepped over to Carl with his report.
“Mr. Carl,” the doctor said calmly, “after examining Ms. Elsie’s abdomen, we found no signs of internal trauma, no fluid accumulation, and no subcutaneous hemorrhaging. We conclude that she has not been struck in the abdomen.”
The moment the doctor finished, Owen exploded. “Bullshit! We saw her get hit! The hospital gave us a report! Those are real injuries, and you’re ignoring them-clearly, you’ve been bribed!”
Yunice took another sip of tea and said lazily, “No need to shout. The doctor who gave Elsie that certificate is on his way. Why don’t you hear what he has to say?” She lifted her gaze and met Owen’s eyes. Her expression was calm, but her presence hit like ice water.
Owen felt a chill spread through his chest. A sinking, gut-deep certainty.
Yunice wasn’t just here to fight back tonight. She was here to end it.
Elsie’s gag was pulled from her mouth. She’d heard what the doctor and Yunice had said, and now her face had turned paper white. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead, soaking the few strands of hair stuck to her cheeks. She looked completely cornered.
But in Owen’s eyes, all he saw was a helpless, pitiful girl.
The entire hall was silent – apart from Lily’s muffled sobs, no one spoke.
Carl sat still for a moment, reflecting on everything Yunice had been through. He knew it was time to take control.
He raised a hand. “Since things are already this chaotic, we might as well see it through.”
“Someone go bring Paul here.”
But Paul had the Powell family behind him, especially Mr. Jackson. He wasn’t someone they could summon at will.
If Mr. Jackson got involved, things would turn even messier.
Of everyone present, only Wyatt and Carl had the standing to speak to Mr. Jackson directly.
If Paul was going to be brought in for questioning, Mr. Jackson’s approval would be necessary.
And what happened to Yunice wasn’t something Paul could be held solely responsible for, either.
“I’ll go,” Wyatt said.
He was both the best and worst person for the job.
Because this would put him in direct opposition to the Powell family – again.
But that didn’t matter to Wyatt.
“I’m Yunice’s husband. I have every right to defend her.”
Carl nodded, but offered something stronger. “I’ll have Victor go with you. If Victor goes, it means I’m there in spirit.”
Victor was Carl’s godson and Wyatt’s equal in standing. Sending the two together was ideal.
Wyatt agreed and stood to leave.
With Carl staying behind to keep order, no one would dare touch Yunice.
Lily, however, looked at Carl with reddened eyes. His comment about Victor representing him stung.
She never understood what made Victor – an orphan – so special. If Carl had to adopt someone, why not someone like Owen?
Especially when Owen was the son of his old friend.
The resentment simmered in Lily’s chest, but she didn’t dare voice it.
Wyatt’s absence didn’t change the direction the room was heading.
Soon, the doctor who had issued Elsie’s injury report was dragged in.
Yes – dragged. The man was clearly forced out of bed, still wearing pajamas, one slipper missing.
At first, he thought he’d been kidnapped by gangsters. But the moment he saw Elsie tied to a chair and the medical equipment nearby, he immediately understood.
Panic took over. “I admit it! Ms. Elsie’s report was fake! She bribed me! She made me do it!”
Owen whipped his head toward him. “No one even questioned you yet! Who told you to say that? Who paid you off?!”
The doctor, clearly rattled, replied, “Isn’t it obvious? I’ve got a guilty conscience. The moment you people dragged me in here, I knew what it was about.”
Owen was silenced – his outburst only made him look foolish.
The doctor continued, “Forging medical reports is illegal. I only did it because she forced me to. But I came prepared!”
He pulled out his phone. “I recorded everything!”
Then he hit play.
Elsie’s voice came from the speaker: “I want a report that says I was beaten in the abdomen and suffered internal injury. And don’t forget – I know about you and the head nurse sneaking around. If you don’t give me what I want, I’ll tell your wife.”
After the clip ended, the doctor declared firmly, “That recording is real. I’m willing to submit it for analysis.”
Owen froze. He looked at the doctor’s expression, then at the crumpled Elsie lying on the floor, eyes full of disbelief and devastation.
His voice cracked. “Elsie… is that true?”
Elsie lay there awkwardly, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, Owen… I just wanted to protect you. I couldn’t bear the thought of you spending your life with someone like Peggy…”
Owen’s eyes turned red. But instead of anger, they were filled with sympathy.
He clenched his jaw, tears falling as he rushed forward, set Elsie’s chair upright, and untied her.
“She did it out of love for me! How is that a crime?!”
Carl said coldly, “So you don’t want to marry Peggy, and the two of you are scheming to drive her out?”
Lily jumped in, “Exactly! Carl, if this happened to Victor, would you just let it slide?”
Carl replied, “Then you shouldn’t have agreed to settle in the first place. Do you think everyone else is an idiot? If you really can’t stand Peggy, then sue…”
Lily had nothing to say.
Carl let out a disgusted scoff. His opinion of the Saunders family had only worsened.
He turned to Yunice and slowly pushed himself off the sofa. “Yunice, come with me.”
Lily opened her mouth, then stopped, watching Yunice silently get up and follow Carl out.
Her heart twisted with jealousy.
Why was Yunice always the lucky one? Always had someone protecting her?
And her poor Elsie – after everything – had gained nothing.
Owen, still cradling a sobbing Elsie, couldn’t help but watch Yunice’s figure disappear down the hall.