Chapter 43 He Has Completely Severed Ties Finished Wendy was also on her way to find Joshua . Just yesterday , she had managed to get his address from the police , and after a lengthy drive , she finally arrived at the place where he was supposed to be living . But when she got there , disappointment hit her . He wasnt there . Joshua wasnt at the apartment , nor was he at school . It was as if he had vanished into thin air . When Maggie asked her sharply about Joshuas whereabouts , Wendy quickly responded , Mom , Dad , dont go looking for him yet ! Let me try to find him first ! Maggie , however , wasnt having it . With a stormy expression , she snapped , If I dont go looking for him , hell think he can do whatever he pleases ! How many days has it been since he last came home ? Just what is he doing out there ? Wendy sighed , her tone both exasperated and pleading . Mom , have you forgotten ? You and Dad already signed the papers to disown him ! Maggies eyes widened in fury . What did you just say ? You both signed the disownment papers , Wendy said , trying to keep her voice calm but firm . And it seems like Joshua has taken it seriously . And Mom , dont forget , Joshua was an orphan before he came to this family . He grew up in an orphanage ! And what are you trying to say ? Maggies voice was ice cold now . That just because we signed a piece of paper , he thinks he can go against me ? Let me tell you something , Wendy : even if I did sign those papers , hes not escaping from my control ! Mom , why are you so determined to bring him back ? Wendys voice cracked slightly , frustration evident in her tone . You dont give him food , you dont give him clothes , and not even a bit of pocket money . What do you want him back home for ? To confine him within Fraser Residence ? Maggies expression darkened , her lips pressing into a thin line . What nonsense are you spouting now ? The doctor said it clearly , didnt he ? Joshua is malnourished ! Wendys voice rose slightly . She was no longer able to suppress the emotions bubbling inside her . When hes at home , he doesnt get enough to eat ! How is he supposed to live like that ? I dont understand why you want to bring him back . Hes your younger brother ! Maggie hissed , her voice trembling with anger . Of course , he should come home ! Do you want him to keep wandering outside like some stray ? Hes young , reckless , and undisciplined . If we dont keep a firm hand on him , hell grow up to be completely unmanageable ! Let me make this clear , Wendy : hes going nowhere . He belongs in my house , under my watch ! She continued , her face flushed with rage . Hes been gone from home for so long that hes completely angered me . If he dares to step foot back in this house , I swear , Ill skin him alive ! Wendy felt a cold wave wash over her heart as she listened to those words . She hadnt expected Maggie to harbor such thoughts . In the past , she might have shrugged it off , chalking it up to her mothers overbearing nature . But now , it was different . It felt as though she had fallen into a glacial abyss , the suffocating chill leaving her paralyzed 1/3 3:20 am Chapter 43 He Has Completely Severed Ties Finisher with dread . Mom , how could you … She took a deep breath , her voice trembling as tears brimmed in her eyes , threatening to spill over . Why do you hate him so much ? What has he done to deserve this from you ? What could he possibly have done to warrant such hatred thats so deep youre determined to destroy him ? Maggies face darkened with fury on the other end of the line . What nonsense are you spouting ? Hes your brother ! Everything Im doing is for his own good ! she snapped . Where are you picking up these ridiculous ideas ? Was it Joshua who put these thoughts in your head ? Let me tell you , Wendy , those nasty habits of his , every last one of them , must be stripped away ! I wont stand for it ! Wendy let out a bitter laugh . her tears finally spilling down her cheeks . Mom , she said , her voice thick with emotion . Youve done it . Hes not coming home anymore . Without waiting for a response , she ended the call . The click of the disconnect tone reverberated like a slap in Maggies ears , and her face flushed with rage . David ! she bellowed , her voice cutting through the air . Your eldest daughter has grown bold , too bold ! She dared to hang up on me ! Shes completely out of control ! David just calmly asked . Did she tell you where Joshua is ? No! she huffed . pacing the room in anger . But Ill call Shirley and see what she knows . Without hesitation , she picked up her phone again , her irritation overriding any semblance of patience . She scrolled to Shirleys contact number and dialed . At that moment , Shirley was at home , hesitating over whether to check the messages on her phone . She felt as though she didnt have the courage to face them , overwhelmed by a sense of unease and resistance in her heart . When Maggies call came through , Shirley was flipping through a book . Shirley , have you seen where Joshua went ? Shirley was startled , and she quickly responded , I dont know , Mom ! Maybe , you should ask Wendy . She might know something ! Wendy ? What on earth is going on with her ? She had the nerve to hang up on me ! Maggies anger flared . She hung up on you ? Shirleys surprise mirrored Maggies frustration . She fumbled for words , rushing to soothe her . Mom , dont be angry just yet . Maybe she had something urgent going on . Lets wait until shes back , and we can ask her directly ! Dont wait . Call her immediately and tell her to come home right now ! Maggie demanded . Alright ! Ill contact her right away ! Shirley stammered , eager to diffuse her mothers growing temper . Without wasting another second , she grabbed her phone and dialed Wendys number . As soon as the line 2/3 Finished 3:20 am Chapter 43 He Has Completely Severed Ties On the other end , Wendy sniffled and asked , Shirley , did you read the messages in the group chat ? 98 1 3/3