Chapter Sixteen
Kason’s POV
The camera shutters went off, the lights almost blinding me. I didn’t want to give them any more pictures, so I got up with my last shred of dignity and dusted my body.
I raced to my car, fuming in anger. Now that I had finally spoken to Amara, it was clearer than ever that Jake was manipulating her, and I needed to break her from his hold.”
By the time I had arrived home, just as expected my phone nearly exploded from the constant beeping notifications. With a sigh, I checked to see, and I saw myself on the ground next to my broken bouquet of roses. And vase.
Everyone liked the pictures and dropped mocking and insulting comments at me. I couldn’t bear to read them anymore, so I tossed my phone on my bed.
Where could I hit Jake that’ll hurt? I couldn’t even bid for any contracts. He was interested in stealing them; his financial ability was way past mine.”
I remembered his crazy ex–girlfriend, but I couldn’t risk going to visit Chrissy. Her accomplices were being looked for, and I even saw a recent public court summons calling the man who had tried to help manipulate the stocks.”
I don’t want to be dragged into whatever she has going on. A light bulb suddenly lit in my head; since Jake had ensured I was constantly embarrassed on the internet, how about I try doing that to him, too?!
I could manipulate some pictures and videos and cause a scandal for him, too, one that would shake his and Amara’s relationship.” Ijsmirked darkly; I was going to burst their bubble of paradise in a bit. Encouraged, I grabbed my work laptop and immediately got to work. To avoid being caught, I created a fake IP address backend to protect myself from being traced.”
I spent the whole day working on the videos, and then finally, by 1:a,m they were ready. Feeling sleepy, I decided to post them the next day.”
Amara’s POV
After the orphanage, Jake told me he wanted to drive to do something special, “I need a favor from you, baby,e and I hope you won’t refuse.”>
I didn’t know what exactly he wanted but I trusted him completely, “Can you tell me where we’re going?” He shook his head softly.” “I’d rather you just follow my instinct on this one.“}
“Okay, I trust you.” He drove us and saw familiar places and even people got me lost in my thoughts. Of when my mum and Dad and even Chrissy used to be a happy family.
My heart ached sorely if only Chrissy didn’t become consumed with lust for money and life. Seeing all the motherless kids in the orphanage today made me grateful for having two loving parents by my side growing up.
Tears stung my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away, not wanting Jake to see them and worry. Before my dad died and grief consumed my mother, we used to be close; I would always run to her for everything.
But she blamed me for my Dad’s death, she didn’t even give me a chance to prove my innocence. Now she’s all
“We’re here,” Jake said softly. I jolted out of my thoughts to see he had driven to the cemetery where my Dad was buried.}
I looked up at him in question, his eyes held gentle compassion. “You haven’t been here for years, and also, you haven’t introduced me to your Dad.”
This time, I couldn’t hold the tears; how did I get so lucky with such a sweet and thoughtful man?
He wiped the tears away, “That’s enough, no more tears. I can’t have my father–in–law think I’m mistreating his daughter.“}
I chuckled, “You’re right, let’s go.” Jake brought out flowers from the back seat and I mouthed thank you.
We got down and I led him to where my Dad’s grave was. Oddly, it was well taken care of with fresh flowers; I saw an attendant and enquired.”
“Does someone come here every day to visit?“!
The old man responded, “Oh yes, a lovely woman, Mrs Jones, his wife before he died, even though she’s terminally ill. She comes here every morning.”}
My mother came here every morning regardless of her health? I paled immediately.
“Babe, are you good?” I nodded, regaining myself.”
“Yes, let me introduce you to my Dad.” I turned to my father’s grave, wiping the emotional tears from my eyes.
“Hi, Dad, so I brought someone to meet you. I know you’d have loved him if you were alive. Meet Jake.” I held Jake’s hand.
“Erm, hi Amara’s Dad. Sadly, you’re not here to give us your blessing physically but I know you’re smiling down at us from heaven. I promise I’ll treat your daughter well.”
We spent an hour there, and by the time I was leaving, I was convinced in my heart that my Dad wanted me to forgive my mother even if I wouldn’t have a relationship with her and at least let her die in peace.}
In the car, I told Jake, and he smiled, “That’s so forgiving and loving of you. I’ll drive you there right now. I’ve actually been secretly checking on your mother, and she doesn’t have a lot of days left in her.“}
“You’re the best. Thank you so much.”
looked like a white skeleton, her hair had greyed and fallen out in different places.
“Mum,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
Her eyes shot up immediately, “Amara.” She said with such relief it broke my heart.
She tried to sit up but was too weak; I helped her and held her, patting her hair as she whispered over and over again. “I’m so sorry, Amara. Please forgive me.”
“I forgive you,” I said over and over again.”
Her tensed–up body relaxed, and suddenly, the lines started getting flat on the monitor. Her breath was slowly ceasing. “Doctor.” I started screaming in fear. Hospital attendants ran to help stabilize her, but it was too late. My mum was dead.
Sixteen
