Chapter 40
The candle flame trembled just like my hands. I stared at it, daughter. No legal record. No grave. No lullabies. Just flame. The only thing she ever touched.
a
king, as I whispered the name no one would ever call. My
buried in my heart and a tiny blanket now placed beside the
I prayed even though I didn’t believe God listened to women like me–wives turned into ghosts, mothers without children, hearts split open and stitched shut by lies.
And when the wick burned steady, I stood up. I had things to do.
I walked into our walk–in closet and grabbed every gift Jackson ever gave me. The perfumes, the shoes, the bags, the dresses. Everything that once made me feel loved–chosen. They were all lies now. Souvenirs from a life that was never really mine.
I dragged out the suitcases. Began to pack everything, like I was burying pieces of myself.
The zipper was halfway closed when I heard his voice behind me.
“What are you doing?”
I turned, calmly. “I’m burning them.”
His brows furrowed. “Burning what?”
“Everything. Everything that came from you. Every trace of us.”
His eyes widened in panic. “Samantha… is this because of what happened yesterday? Please. I didn’t mean it like that.”
I said nothing. I didn’t have the energy to pretend anymore.
He crossed the room, dropping to his knees and wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. “I’m sorry. Okay? I was scared. Confused. Nathan–he’s my cousin’s son. And now that my cousin’s dead, I’m responsible for him and Candice.“}
I stiffened. “And does that responsibility include hurting me for her and her son when I am your
He flinched. Didn’t say a word.”
“Thought so,” I muttered.
“It’s not like that,” he whispered. “Candice is vulnerable. She has no one. And Nathan… he needs someone stable. He will be my real son soon.“}
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean by real son?”
I already knew. But I needed to hear him lie again.”
“I mean…I’m going to adopt him, so… Can’t you just be nice to her?” he asked, like it was the simplest thing. “She’s been through a lot.”
I looked him dead in the eye. My voice turned razor–sharp. “What if I don’t want to?”
His jaw clenched. “What is wrong with you lately?“!
I almost laughed. But there was no humor left in me.
“Nothing,” I said coldly. “I’m just hurting. Maybe that’s the part you forgot.”
Because how could I not hurt? When the child I once cradled in my dreams was stolen from me–cut from my womb while I was wide awake–while this man, this liar, was playing house with the woman who replaced me. Candice. The one he claimed was just someone he was “helping.” The one whose child he now proudly paraded as his “adopted son.”
Adopted? What a joke. He could’ve at least respected me enough not to lie so poorly. I saw the way he looked at Nathan- with guilt, with love, with a possessiveness that went beyond mere responsibility.”
That was no cousin’s child.
That was his.B
And he knew I couldn’t give him another child–not after what he orchestrated. After what he did to me. I’d lost my womb. baby. My entire future. Because of him.#
My
He rubbed his face like he was the one exhausted, then forced a smile. “Okay. I get it. How about dinner tonight? Just the two of us. Let me make it up to you.”
He always did that–used apologies like duct tape, trying to patch the gaping holes in everything he’d broken. But I wasn’t fooled anymore.”
I paused. Then gave him a small nod. “Sure.“%
But in my head, I already knew the truth.”
Nothing he planned tonight would change the fact that he destroyed me.!
And I would never forget.
Dinner was held in one of those candle–lit restaurants Jackson loved. The ones where the waiters whispered, and the wine
nnst more than my rent hefore I met him He was all charm–smiles enft avee flirting like the old days
11:00 AM
cost more than my rent before I met him. He was all charm–smiles, soft eyes, flirting like the
But I wasn’t the same woman anymore.
old days.
He talked. I nodded. He complimented me. I gave a half–smile. My phone buzzed under the table.”
I
Inigo: Everything’s ready. Surveillance footage from the yacht. Audio from the hospital. His empire is going to fall. I’ll pick you up in two days.
Justice. It felt cold and necessary.
“What are you smiling at?” Jackson asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Nothing,” I said and slipped the phone back into my lap.
He reached across the table and snatched it. “Who the hell are you texting while I’m talking to you?”
“Give it back.“&
“Open it.“}
I stared at him. “It’s our anniversary.”
He grinned smugly. “Of course it is. Why is it not working? May 11, right?”
“Wrong.” I smiled coldly. “Maybe it’s the anniversary you have with your mistress.”
His face twitched.
“What are you talking about?” he said, trying to laugh it off. “You’re the only one I love.”
He dropped the phone, leaned closer again like nothing happened. But then his phone rang. His smile disappeared. “What? Nathan? What do you mean he’s gone?”
He stood up so fast the table rattled. No explanation. No goodbye. Just ran.
I sat back, watching the empty seat across me. He always runs when things go wrong.
I finished my wine. Then went home.
The next morning, I was sipping lukewarm coffee in the kitchen when the front door burst open.
“Samantha Reid?” a police officer barked.
I stood frozen. “Yes…?“}
Two officers stormed toward me, grabbing my arms.
“What is happening? Why are you taking me out?!”
And then I saw him. Jackson. Standing near the door, face tight with disgust.
“Her,” he told the officers. “Bring her to the station.”
“Jackson?!” I gasped. “What are you talking about?!”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” he snapped. “You had Nathan kidnapped!”
11:00 AM .
