A Man with Nerves of Steel (Joseph Hart) novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Joseph lay on the ground, his eyes unfocused and filled with helplessness. The sky was overcast, mirroring his mood and his situation perfectly.

Mary came over. Noticing that Joseph was still breathing, she asked, “Are you okay? Should I call an ambulance?”

Joseph didn’t respond. After catching his breath fox a bit and realizing he wasn’t in bad shape, he got up and went back inside. He had a first-aid kit, so he patched himself up.

Less than ten minutes later, Cora rushed in.

“Joe, are you okay?”

Cora looked him over. There were obvious marks on his face from the beating, and she could see a cut at the corner of his mouth.

“How could they hit you in the face? Dad went way too far! Joe, Dad didn’t really mean to hurt you. He was just mad about how you were educating the kids.

“He is super strict when it comes to them. And since my mom was badmouthing you, he just got upset,” Cora hurriedly explained, trying to prevent further misunderstanding.

“Cora, this isn’t the first time your dad has put his hands on me. Should I fight back?”

“Definitely not. He’s in his 60s. How can you hit an old man? Joe, my dad was in the wrong this time. I’ll apologize on his behalf and compensate you. Let’s just let this matter go.”

“Let’s just get a divorce. I’ve already tolerated your infidelity and the fact that you had children with another man. I don’t want any compensation from you anymore. All I want now is a divorce!”

“You… Why are you bringing this up again? How many times do I have to tell you that I didn’t cheat and that Natalie is your daughter?

“If you keep letting your imagination run wild, I’ll start to think that you’re suffering from paranoia. Don’t make me send you to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.”

“You think I’m crazy?”

Joseph found Cora’s concern fake and hypocritical. He went out to the balcony to smoke and saw Cora asking Mary some questions.

He couldn’t figure out why Cora still refused to divorce. With a silent sigh, he decided he would have to find the other man, apply pressure, and force the children onto him.

Even if the man didn’t want the kids, he would still have to take responsibility. Only then would Cora admit everything.

Half an hour later, Cora brought in a group of people. There were four tall, sturdy middle-aged men and one slightly plump middle-aged woman. The woman introduced herself as a doctor and said she was there to examine Joseph.

However, the type of examination pissed Joseph off. It was a full psychiatric evaluation. Without a doubt, if the results suggested he was mentally ill, Cora would not hesitate to have him taken away or confined for treatment.

Once again, Joseph was plunged into a kind of despair beyond feeling.