All Chapters of Grounded for Life After Mom Died: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

Leah's POVWhen I tried to run back, a big guy in a suit yanked me back by the collar. I hammered at his arm with my fists. "Let go of me! Let me go! I wanna go back to Grandpa!"The bodyguard didn't even flinch. He dragged me forward, making a raw, burning ache climb up my throat.I was still fighting him when a voice snapped, "What the hell are you doing, Leah?"I looked up and saw Dad's dark face. He strode over and grabbed a fistful of my hair. Pain shot across my scalp like he was about to rip it off. "Where's your mom? Why isn't she with you? Isn't she dying to be glued to me every second?"You two are really something, huh? You even called your grandpa to complain about me. He tore into me and made me look like an idiot in front of everyone. I'm gonna teach you a lesson today!"He raised his hand to hit me again, but Ms. Carlton stopped him. She pulled me behind her with a soft smile. "Oh, Joe. Why are you so worked up? She's just a child. She doesn't know any better. Why

Leah's POVWhen I came to again, I found myself lying in a dim basement. Fear washed over me, threatening to swallow me whole. I'd swallowed so much seawater that I could barely speak."Is… anyone there?" I rasped.The only answer was a chorus of barking.My heart kicked into overdrive. I clamped my lips shut, forcing myself not to make another sound.Where was Mom's urn?I groped blindly around me but found nothing. Dad had promised to give me Mom's ashes back if I jumped in and swam.I missed Mom so much.As I continued searching as quietly as I could, a door opened a short distance away. Light flooded into the room, stinging my eyes.It wasn't until the person came closer that I realized it was Dad. He stood over me with his hands in his pockets, looking down at me. "How the hell did you win a championship when you can barely swim? Don't tell me your mother paid someone to compete in your place."I shook my head. "That's not true…"He cut me off impatiently. "Oh, shut up.

Third-Person POVYvonne hadn't expected Sven to step in and mess up her plans. Realizing the situation was getting out of hand, she grew increasingly nervous, and diffidence flickered in her eyes. She twisted the hem of her dress, then abruptly clutched her stomach and collapsed to one side, her face contorted in pain."Joe, what's happening? My stomach hurts so much! Did my water break? Please, take me to the hospital! I can't stand the pain!" Her eyes filled with tears as she choked out, "Mr. Walker Senior, I know you and Mrs. Walker have never liked me. Don't worry—I'll stay away from Joe once I've given birth. You'll never have to see me again."At the sight, Joseph immediately dropped his phone and pulled Yvonne into his arms, looking like his heart was breaking for her. He gripped her hand tightly and roared at the unmoving bodyguards, "Are you all blind? Call an ambulance!"He turned to Sven. "Dad, the baby's your grandchild, too! Do you really have to be this cruel? Are you

Third-Person POVYvonne trembled under Joseph's murderous glare and struggled to explain herself. "Joe, this is all a misunderstanding. I only did those things because I loved you so—"He didn't let her finish. He shot to his feet, pushed past the police officers, and grabbed her by the throat. "You crossed the line. What right did you have to hurt my family? Give them back to me!"I trusted you, and this is how you repay me? The pregnancy was fake, and your kindness was fake. You ruined my family and everything I had, you bitch!"Yvonne burst into terrified sobs, tears and snot streaking her face and sticking to her hair. "I'm sorry! I was wrong! I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you—just please spare me…"Joseph looked at her with pure venom. "Spare you? Can you bring my wife and daughter back? This is what you owe us."He yanked her by the hair and slammed her head into the sharp corner of the table. A gash split open at her temple; blood streamed down her face. T