"According to Madam Celine, she saw Christine on top of Master Jackson when she came into the room. But I was actually there a few minutes before she came. Christine was giving her dad a massage but she ran out of massage oil so she asked me to get some for her. I went out and the next thing I know was Madam Celine dragged Miss Christine out of the room", She said.
"But is it true?", they said in unison.
"NO", Cecilia said with conviction. She has to speak now. Nobody can harm her now.
"Then, how come she was thrown out of the mansion?" Clearly, everyone was thinking that Joseph is not dumb but they just can't understand why he reacted in such a harsh way. Cecilia understood the look in their eyes. She decided to continue.
"Joseph went out of his room because of the commotion and saw everything Madam Celine dragging Christine out in the hallway. Madam Celine humiliated Christine and told Joseph that she caught Christine and Master Jackson in incestuous activity. Christine cried and denied it. I tried to defend Miss Christine but Madam Celine stopped me."
"I was just a servant and I was scared of what Madam Celine might do to me. Master Jackson was not able to defend his daughter because he was sick and can barely get up". Cecilia continued.
"All of these are the doings of Madam Celine. And I was not able to do anything to help her", her voice shaking and everyone fell silent.
"Master Joseph was only 21 years old was already in-charge of the Arante farm. At first, he was not friendly toward Miss Christine but as days pass by, he became more attentive to Miss Christine and that is what made the Madam so mad and hate Miss Christine so much", Cecilia continued and swinging her head in disbelief. Even up to now, she can't understand the tremendous hate Madam Celine has for Christine or for Claire. It's unthinkable.
+++++++
For the next 2 days, everyone was busy preparing Celine's funeral, especially Joseph as he is now the head of the family. He decided to have the funeral in 3 days' time as they are not expecting any relatives or friends.
Celine was declared dead on arrival at the hospital due to a blood clot from the head trauma. Joseph was there to claim her body and settle the hospital bill.
Joseph was the one making arrangements for the funeral while also talking to the police to complete their investigation on Celine's death. Joseph is quite influential in the city and was able to get the police matters settled. Jolo and Joseph decided to keep the wake at a funeral house instead of the mansion. He is doing this to protect the family and their privacy.
Jolo was there for Claire. At a young age, she just lost her mother. She is mature at a young age. Jolo was with her all the time to comfort her and make sure she is okay. Jolo loves his sister and he is willing to do everything to protect her.
"Jolo, is Celine really my mother?" she innocently asked. She is in her room, and this is where she is for the last 2 days--with Jolo of course.
"Wh..."
"She always tells me that I am not her daughter and she hates me", Claire cuts Jolo off. She looks at Jolo in the eye, sadness in her eyes but also with curiosity.
"She is your mother", Jolo replied and hugged Claire. He feels her pain. At this moment, he regrets staying away for a long time and was not able to be there for her. After Christine was thrown out of the mansion in which he was partly to be blamed, he distanced himself and decided to study away from the mansion.
Claire rested her cheeks on Jolo's shoulder silently, she seems to be weighing what Jolo is saying of what Celine is to her and what she experienced from Celine. She was not even allowed to call her mother, Mama, or Mommy but just Celine. She was always angry at her especially when Jolo shows affection toward her.
She tilted her head and asked, "If she was my mother then why did she not like me?"
Jolo froze for a second and gently pushed her away from him to look her in the eye. "She was sick and was not feeling good after Dad's accident", he explained even though he himself has doubts about it.
"She loved you, she just can't accept what happened to Dad and to her that day. You remind her of Dad and it hurts her", Jolo continued to assure Claire. He doesn't want Claire to think that she is not loved by her own mother, she is too young for this.
Claire nodded her head and smiled. She might be very young but she knows the truth that her own mother hates her. She understands that Jolo is just trying to make her feel better. She felt strange for not feeling anything about her mother's death. She feels a little relieved along with being guilty of feeling that way. She will just keep it to herself in order not to bother her brothers.
Jolo felt relieved seeing that Claire believed him. It's better this way than cause confusion on her part. Now more than ever is the time to let Claire feel secure and loved. He has the rest of his days to let her feel that way.
Christine has been in her room since that incident happen. She did not have anyone to talk to. Jolo was nowhere to be found but she understands that he must be helping in the preparations. She was anxious after she was informed by one of the maids that Celine died. She waited for Joseph to confront her, blame her for what happened. But two days since it happened and Joseph did not talk to her. She last saw him yesterday from her window leaving with the police and he has not come back since.
She is still in shock until now, she can't believe how it happened. She figured that Joseph talked to the Police on her behalf because no one came to talk to her. She felt relieved.
'So what now? Why am I still here?' That moment, she made a decision.