Chapter 145 - The Truth

Karmina smiled as she caressed Johanna's photo with Keira. 

"Keira already thought that Johanna was her sister since we adopted her at the age of seven. She was clingy toward Johanna and even asked me to buy her beautiful things like the things that we buy for her. Henry and I felt like the family was growing and he also taught Johanna music. We are all happy and amused that Johanna was a bright childlike Keira." 

"Johanna," He smiled. "Her name was Johanna when you adopted her?" 

Karmina tilted her head and thought for a while. She seemed to know nothing about Johanna yet she loved her dearly. 

"No. Her name was close to Johanna. But my husband wanted to change her name for her protection. No matter what it was, we loved her dearly. We don't care about her past or her real identity. Because once Keira loves someone, I know that it'll last until death." 

"And Johanna never betrayed Keira?"

Karmina shook her head. 

"Johanna was clingy toward my daughter, cared for her, protected her and my Jo saved Keira many times as my little girl was growing." 

Connor's chest was squeezing so hard that it's hard for him to breathe. But he stared at Johanna's photo when she was seven years old and holding a pink teddy bear. It's the same bear that Victor also had in his sister's photo. There's no doubt that the person that they are looking at was just right in front of them. 

"Thank you for showing me this, Ma'am Mina. This meant a lot to me." 

"Don't worry about it," Karmina said. "I know that you love Jo. She deserved a man that would love her and protect her." 

"And I will protect her, always," Connor vowed to her. "But can I request Jo's photo with Keira? They looked cute together and I am sure that Jo would love a copy." 

"Sure," Karmina reached out from the pocket of the photo album and gave him a few more photos from the age of seven to twenty. He smiled and wanted to treasure it. But first, he must make copies of it. The app that Violet made went to nothing after the explosion. Now, he couldn't contact her. 

"Thank you." 

"You are welcome, dear." 

Connor looked through the photos and smiled. 

"Uhm, I have diamonds ready for my proposal to Johanna. Does she also have a wedding planner?" 

Karmina nodded. 

"Harvey and Johanna's future wedding plans were the first one I made." She said, "It's currently upstairs." 

"Don't worry," Connor reached her hand. "I will get the diamonds and other gems. I want a perfect ring for my beloved." 

Karmina reached his cheek. 

"Sure, my dear. Why won't you go upstairs and sleep?" 

"Yes, ma'am." 

He stood and went upstairs to the guest area. He saw that the bungalow door was opened. Johanna and Harvey are talking softly. But he heard them clearly. 

"Don't worry. You will only harm those who want to harm our sister and mother." Harvey said softly. "You will be with them forever, even without me. Alright? Just do as I say." 

"Why would she do what you say?" Connor said aloud and Harvey hugged Johanna possessively with his cold glare toward Connor. 

"You are just my precious pet's boy toy, Connor." 

Johanna didn't move from Harvey's embrace while she felt him patting her head. 

"I will make sure that she's happy and safe with me, Harvey. I don't care how she treated me, but I can't let you treat her like that." 

"She's already under my control." Harvey kissed her forehead. "She loved Keira and mom so much that she'll do everything to protect them." 

Harvey finally let her go and he walked past Connor with a smirk. 

He hated the feeling of making her feel like a thing. Connor loves her without any reason. Then, why does Harvey force her to make a reason so that she could be loved by Harvey and everyone? 

He took a step to approach her but she walked in the direction of her room. He somehow needs to be alone for a while. So, he went to his room, quickly washed up, and changed his clothes. He already made sure that the photos are secured. He went to her room, knocked, and entered. It was dark however, he found her silhouette on the corner, hugging her knees with her face shoved to her arms. 

He approached her, sat beside her, and reached her head. 

"I'm here." He whispered. 

She lifted her head, looked up at him with those scared eyes. 

"Don't think about what Harvey says. Keira loves you so much. And your mom too." He said softly. "I love you so much." 

She stretched her legs and hugged him tightly. 

"I love you." He said again and he finally got into his knees, scooped her, and took her to the bed. He rubbed her sides and kissed her lips. 

"Make love to me." She said softly. 

"Alright." He felt lonely because she was depressed. He crawled to the drawer and reached for a condom. She quickly removed her oversize shirt and her panties. Then, she sat on her heels while watching him stripping. 

<><><><> 

Violet heard from them that the cottage was a gift from Harvey's sister. They mentioned Johanna who was too kind to even give them a cabin. Maybe if they dig up the cabin a few things will be unveiled. Like Johanna's identity and about the drug. So, instead of sleeping, she helped them move a few things. While the two were busy putting logs outside, she flipped the bed and searched for more. 

There were more photos of Victor at a young age and him holding a baby. Now, she wondered. Is this the old house where her beloved Victor stayed? She wondered what they do here. 

"Alright, let's sleep." Bull said and she quickly hid the things that she found under the blanket that was wrapped around her. The two were silent when they saw that she moved the bed. "You alright?" Bull asked. 

"Yeah," She nodded and sat on the old chair. 

"I'll fix it." Chameleon approached her quickly and put back the bed. Then, he fixed the sheets for her and gestured to it. She sat down and stared at the floor. Chameleon reached her head. "Do you want to take a bath? We have already set up the bathroom with a portable bathtub." 

"And your clothes are ready too." 

She nodded as she stood and Chameleon escorted her to the bathroom outside the cabin. 

"Let me have your blanket." 

She shook her head. He nodded and opened the portable door for her and turned on the lights. 

"There's a heater too." He said and she closed the door. 

The time she locked it, she pushed the blanket until it fell on the ground. Then, she took out the photograph from the frame and went to the window as she threw it away. Then, she clutched the small notebook, and then she put the photo and notes inside it. She placed it on the side table near the bathtub filled with warm water. She removed her bandages as she dipped her body. 

"I must tell Connor about her." She mumbled. 

She remembered that her app was almost near to it. The face was close to Johanna and she's sure that she was also Connor and Alessandro's target. She couldn't get to see a few details from that drive. She's also sure that Connor will do everything to protect the girl for Victor. 

"Hannah Grace," She mumbled. "I'll protect you and Victor. Just wait for me." 

She dived into the tub with closed eyes and didn't breathe for a few seconds. Then, she popped her head and frowned at Chameleon. He had towels with him and he approached her. The pervert was always like this but she didn't care. He reached her face. 

"You know what? You are beautiful when you smile. However, you only smile in front of Victor. It's such a shame that he's a killing machine and he might not be able to come back to you." 

She pushed his hand. 

"I only belong to him." 

"I know." He sighed. "It's such a shame." 

"Leave the woman away, Leon!" Bull grumbled outside. He stayed outside as a gentleman. Chameleon stood and left. Then, Bull apologized and closed the door. Of course, they have the key and she wasn't surprised. She heard them arguing already and maybe punching each other. She doesn't care. 

She turned her head to the notebook. She reached the photo between the pages and smiled at his old photo. He wasn't smiling but he's handsome and adorable. She noticed that he's already holding a gun that was pointed down. Her poor love was taught how to hunt at a young age. That's why he's good at shooting and he taught her a lot about guns. That's when they fell in love with each other. 

"Now that I know the truth… I have to make sure that even Harvey would have my wrath. What kind of friend puts the other one in danger? What kind of friend would control someone who is not his sister?" She scoffed. "I am close to finding the truth and yet, he blocks me."