The Thornes

Chapter 4

Wyll immediately got up, smiled and told everyone the lady was a distant family member who came up to point out that an important tradition hadn't been performed. He turned, looked at her sternly and from that look, the lady had no choice but to agree. Suddenly, she flashed a huge smile and made everyone aware of this supposed "Thorne family ritual", the "confession ritual". The rest of the family stared at one another surprisingly and confused. Obviously they knew there was no ritual like that and all suspected something was wrong. While Josephina looked at Anthony, she realized something looked fishy. He looked sad and hurt all of a sudden. Josephina would conclude that Anthony clearly knew the lady, so did Wyll.Josephina therefore pleaded with the priest to allow for whatever ritual to be performed before proceeding with the ceremony. However, the priest advised that they finish the ceremony before they continue with whatever ritual the family wanted to perform. When Josephina looked at the lady, she could only see hurt and sorrow. "Why will a family member be so bothered about a mere ritual? She thought. There seemed to be much more explanation than what Wyll had given. Well, the ceremony duly continued. The exchange of vows and signing of the marriage certificate went on smoothly but not at the sight of the lady. She had already left, even before the exchange of vows. Josephina finally becomes a Thorne, she showed off her ring and smiled. She was excited. The only good thing she had gotten from this messed up family was love and that was enough for her. The so-called confession ritual took place but both the bride and the groom didn't make known any confessions. The rest of the ceremony was then carried out. Men and women danced, laughed, ate and drank; all made merry. Wyll introduced her daughter in-law to some important guests present. Eventually, everything was brought to an end. Guests, friends and business partners had all left. Wyll called for a family meeting moments before the couple had to leave for their honeymoon. The family was seated when Wyll came in with the lady. Josephina was seemingly excited to meet her husband's distant cousin. What came in next was hurtful and devastating. Wyll stood up, remained quiet for a while, but then introduced the lady as Glenn Cemmens, Anthony's ex-girlfriend. Anthony had met Glenn two years ago and introduced her last year to the family. But out of the bloom, Glenn left Anthony without a trace and didn't even say goodbye. Glenn interrupted with tears streaming down her face and told Anthony and the rest of the family about how Elora and Wyll had convinced her to leave to another country. Anthony stood up in anger after hearing those words. He shouted at her and asked for her reason for coming back but Wyll asked that Anthony calm down and listen to him as everything that had happened never were Glenn's fault. Glenn would then explain what actually happened. Three months after Anthony had introduced her to the family, Glenn found out she was four weeks pregnant. Excitedly, she decided to surprise Anthony with the news at home. When she got there, she met Elora whom she told about the pregnancy. Elora quickly informed Wyll. Wyll had a problem with Glenn since she wasn't well educated. In his opinion, Glenn wanting to be a chef was not going to help with the family business. Wyll therefore asked Glenn to go further her studies outside the country. He asked that she kept the pregnancy a secret so as to help Anthony focus on the family business at the time. Wyll promised that he was going to inform Anthony about what he had done, but never did it happen. Neither Elora nor Wyll had told Anthony anything. The hurtful part was that, they were in constant communication with Glenn. Elora had mistakenly posted the wedding invitation on her Instagram platform and that motivated Glenns return after she had seen it. Glenn then called into the hall her friend who came in with a baby boy looking very much like Anthony. Anthony could not believe what his eyes were witnessing, nor could he comprehend what his ears had heard. Why will his father and sister keep this from him? He wondered. Anthony walked slowly to pick up his son, looked at Glenn for some time and apologized to her. Glenn had named the little boy after his father. She handed Anthony pictures of their baby and a glance at them got Anthony smiling amidst the tears.Everyone had forgotten how Josephina had been greatly affected by all these. She sat in the chair completely shocked as she couldn't process any of that. She was rendered completely numb. She couldn't even blame Anthony for any of it. Tried getting up, but she fell on her knees. Everything indeed hurt her so much. So shocking, she couldn't even cry. Ironically, it was when she fell that anyone actually realized that she was present. She sat on the floor for a while, gathered whatever strength she had and started walking towards the door angry and sad. Her happiest day had fallen in shambles. Anthony gave the baby to Glenn, in an attempt to reach Josephina but she screamed and warned him to stay away from her. Eliazer, feeling very sorry for her, offered to drive her home but she sternly refused. Grabbing the keys, Josephina stormed outside and drove off with little knowledge on where she was leaving to.Nonetheless, all that mattered to her at that particular moment was she being far away from that family. Wandering away from the Thorne mansion, she pulled over at a beach. Josephina got down and sat at the shore, gazing at the waves and crying. She screamed, cried uncontrollably and began hyperventilating but slowly calmed herself and sat still. Then she felt a tap on her shoulder. There was Eliazer standing behind and smiling at her. He sat by her but didn't say a word. Both of them sat there in silence. Josephina was obviously not angry at Anthony but definitely mad at Wyll and Elora. She as well realized the reason for Elora agreeing to include all her wedding suggestions. But, Wyll could have allowed her enjoy her honeymoon before dropping this news. She felt sad and broken. Josephina laid down and stared beautifully in the sky and there she realized that, Anthony married her and not Glenn. She wiped her tears got up and headed to the car. When Eliazer asked where she was going, she replied; "somewhere I ought to be". Josephina on her way back wore a smile and listened to her favorite music. She indeed wasn't going to give anyone the satisfaction of ruining her wedding night and honeymoon. Back at the mansion, Anthony was worried and had called her wife countless times. He knew he could not call his mother-in-law as that would have raised suspicions. He paced around restlessly but with hopes that Josephina was okay. Wyll, Elora, Glenn and the others sat there in silence, quite worried. Just then, they heard the sound of a car park. Anthony hurried outside and was relieved to see her wife. When she got down, Josephina run toward Anthony and kissed him. That surprised everyone. She stared at Glenn and bluntly told her that if she came back with the hope of marrying Anthony, she should reconsider. She also warned the rest of the family including Wyll and her husband that should they advise Anthony to marry Glenn, she was going to sue them and render them penniless. That as well shocked everyone. Afterwards, she wore a mischievous smile and asked Anthony that they get ready for their honeymoon trip. Elora felt a bit shaken and scared. That was the first time they had seen Josephina angry. For the records, Josephina's law firm had never lost a case. There have been some scandalous cases that the firm had taken up against some powerful people and still managed to win. The firm had also put some deadly criminals behind bars. Josephina went inside, haven instructed Maxith to pack their luggage into the car. Anthony sat on the stairway waiting, very relieved but confused. She changed into another sexy pink dress, picked up her clutch bag and headed back out. They rest of the family were also waiting outside, still surprised and in total disbelief. Harletta was prepared to comfort Josephina when she got back just as Wyll had instructed but the turn of events was a bit mind-blowing. Josephina came out smiling and knelt before Anthony, hugged him and asked that she take her out of there. Anthony looked at her with smiles. Holding her hand, they got up, headed to the car and drove off leaving everyone. On their way, Anthony apologized to her for ruining their wedding night. She looked at him and accepted the apology since her husband had very little to do with whatever that had went wrong or so she thought. Josephina had believed that Anthony was shocked just as she was and that was why she decided to stay strong and enjoy the night. They both needed a break from this family and that was why Josephina insisted they travel for their honeymoon and not contact any of their families just yet. They kept to themselves for two weeks. That was Josephina's best time with her husband.Two weeks came by pretty quickly, as the newly wedded couple returned from their honeymoon back to the Thorne mansion. Upon entering the house, Josephina was shocked to see Glenn still in the house and even having chats with Elora and Mathéo. She looked at her and politely inquired from Elora what reasons had still kept Glenn in the house but Elora smirked with comments that Glenn had become a part of the family and therefore had every right to be staying in the house with the father of her child. That was when all hell broke loose. Josephina was not going to watch her now sister-in-law get away with this one. She stated frankly to her that she was out to get her and should therefore watch her back. She promised her that her face would be the last thing shed see before going to prison. That shook Elora up but she decided to put a strong font. Josephina told her she was going to pay for all she had done. Elora wondered what she had found about her, thus giving Josephina the effrontery to talk to her in that manner. Josephina finished and left without Elora realizing, as she was lost in her thought.She headed straight to her husband's room and agigitated that if Glenn was to stay in the Thorne mansion, they had to find a new home. Anthony came to her, and calmly asked that she trust him in handling Glenn. He assured her that Glenn was not going to be staying with them and should therefore not worry. Josephina smiled, kissed him and asked that he took care of Glenn in a week, assuring him that she was willing to take care of the son. Anthony got out and asked that she speak to Glenn in private. Eliazer saw both of them leaving and decided to spy in on the conversation.Anthony took Glenn to the back of the mansion and both had a stern conversation. From the conversation, it had become factual that Glenn and Anthony were not exes. They were a married couple. Glenn was Anthony's wife which only proved that there was a reason for Anthony marrying Josephina. Eliazer could not believe any of what he had heard. Everything was so ridiculous and heartbreaking. How was Josephina going to take such news?