DEMI
The flight to the remote Island where Nicola is staying is approximately four hours, as our pilot inford us. I am glad I convinced Ashley to take to see her since the mansion has been unconducive lately. It was easier to convince him because Nicci hasn’t been taking his calls either and he was already starting to worry.
I made sure the trip happened today knowing the longer we take, the more complicated things could get if truly Nicci has any issues with her pregnancy. I need to make sure and figure out a way to turn things in a direction favorable to .
I inhale a long breath and look out the panoramic window, at the bright sky. We’ve only been airborne for thirty minutes on one of the family’s private jets but I still haven’t been able to relax. My mind is haunted with troubling thoughts.
Ashley looks up from his phone and takes in my restless movents.
"Everything okay?"
I shrug my shoulders at him. "Just jittery. I can’t seem to get used to being airborne."
"Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ll adjust in ti." He leans forward to rub my knee reassuringly. His smile almost has floored so I look away.
The truth is that my uneasiness has nothing to do with the flight. I haven’t been able to get thoughts of my lunch date with uncle Marcel out of my head.
I had gone to have lunch with him at a restaurant in a hotel a little further away from the mansion. I had to clear things up for him so he doesn’t co in and fuck up everything I’ve been working on for many years.
After the pleasantries, hugs, tears and catching up were out of the way, he pinned with a deep look I couldn’t decipher as I toyed with my food and narrated the circumstances that led to my marriage. I bet he already heard a thing or two so there wasn’t much I could alter on that front, except the true identity of the man I wedded that fateful night. I also didn’t ntion the existence of a marriage contract with Ashley. On the surface, it appeared that I was in a good marriage.
I watched him too to gauge his reaction whenever I ntioned my in-laws. His face didn’t contort in the faintest hint of anger while I calmly described them like fairly decent people. I deduced that my uncle must not know the ugly parts of the Rollins family and their direct involvent in the death of my parents.
He reached forward and closed a hand over mine.
"You never struck as one ant for life in the spotlight. Are you truly happy, Demi?"
"Yes." I answered too fast. He chuckled.
"And the man you married? Do you love him and vice versa?"
At that mont, I thought of Ashton who was the man I truly married that night after all.
"Yes, we love each other dearly." Uncle Marcel smiled like I had actual stars in my eyes as I replied.
"That’s more convincing. I’m glad to know you’re happy and they treat you right in spite of the gaping difference in your economic bracket and theirs. Not a lot of billionaires are good with treating plebeians as decent human beings."
I force a smile before stuffing so crisp veggies in my mouth.
"I am sensing you’re not comfortable with eting my in-laws." His voice drops a notch. "Does it have sothing to do with the fact that you’re the daughter of their forr staff who died in a work-related accident in one of their properties? Do you figure it would make for awkward introductions or reopen old wounds?"
I almost choke on my food. Uncle Marcel helps with a glass of water and rubs my back gently. I chug down the water and wipe my lips with a napkin.
"No, uncle. It’s nothing like that." I shake my head. "When I married their son, I didn’t know who he was. It was reckless on my part. I only realized my husband was who he was the next morning after my hangover had ebbed. Of course, I was a bit skeptical given the history shared between our family and theirs. For that reason, I sought an annulnt but Mrs. Rollins begged to give the relationship a try. It turned out okay. The family turned out to be decent folks. I have never ntioned having an uncle so it might seem strange that one popped out of nowhere. Plus, the timing sucks. The family is dealing with a major scandal and has no ti to entertain family relations."
"Mrs. Rollins accepted you just like that? I heard she’s rejected every other girl who ca in with similar marriage claims against her sons, even pregnancy claims. Do you think she accepted you because she knew you were Camille’s daughter?"
I reach for the pitcher of water and pour myself another glass, avoiding my uncle’s eyes which suddenly dimd with understanding.
"They don’t know you’re Camille’s surviving daughter?"
"Like I said uncle, that’s still a sensitive subject for to bring up. I didn’t want to be accepted into that family by playing the pity card. Right now, they only know that I am orphaned and that aunt and Kira are my relatives. If you want to be introduced to them, you’ll have to promise not to bring up the tragic death of my parents. I don’t want my in-laws to look at differently. I don’t want their pity."
Uncle Marcel leaned back in his seat. His food was untouched. His eyes pierced my soul.
"Demi, I want you to be truly honest with right now."
Fuck, here it goes, I thought to myself.
"Did you really not know the guy you were getting drunk with and married that fateful night was a son of the Rollins family? Was it purely coincidental?"
I dropped my cutlery with a clatter. "What do you an, uncle? Are you calling a liar?"
"You’re my niece, Demi. I might not have been around a lot while you were growing up but I happen to know a lot about the man who fathered you. I also know you take after him a lot. I am hearing what you’re saying but a different, more strategically fleshed out script is playing in my head and it sounds more authentic to than what you’re saying. I rember how adamant you were that your parents were murdered. You even badgered the police officer in charge of the case with questions and calls to convey your thoughts and theories about what transpired that night at the mall. It baffles to believe that that spitfire teenager braying for vengeance for her parents sohow gave up on that quest and conveniently got married to a son of the family who allegedly murdered her parents and what’s more, her husband and his family have no idea she’s connected with the controversial case that almost sank their empire. It all sounds suspicious to ."
My fingers tightened around the tablecloth. When he saw it, his eyes deed with worry.
"Demi, tell you didn’t spend the last few years on a vengeful quest. Tell you didn’t orchestrate your marriage as a way into that family because you have ongoing plans to avenge your parents while under their roof."
I shake my head. "I was a teenager when it happened, like you aptly pointed out. I didn’t know any better. Why would I hold a grudge when the investigations proved it was an accident, huh? Are you implying my parents were actually murdered by my in-laws unlike what the investigations proved back then, uncle? Is that what you’re telling right now?"
"Don’t evade the subject, Demi. God, you’re just like your dad. This is exactly how he would think and what he would do."
"Are you saying you know the truth about what happened that night?" I insisted, glaring at him. Why wasn’t he as mad as I was? What the hell happened to his anger issues to make him so chill about everything?
"I was an adult when it happened, Demi. I noticed a few loopholes in the story that pointed to their fault in the accident but those people were too dangerous to go up against. No one would have believed . Even the authorities buried the little evidence I gathered." He pressed his hands to his eyes. "I thought of taking the law into my own hands as I habitually did back then but I realized that even if I succeeded or failed, they would co for you, for Elizabeth and Kira. They would wipe out our entire family. That’s what powerful people like the Rollins family do, Demi and your in-laws are far more powerful now than they were years back. You have to stop whatever you’re planning or doing. You’re not as smart as the people they pay to detect and eliminate threats like yourself."
"And sohow none of them have managed to connect to my mother."
"It’s only a matter of ti." He grabbed my hands but I pulled them away, fuming at him. "I know better than most people how quickly the thrill of revenge dissipates. I have done ti for taking revenge on people. Revenge only lasts seconds and then you’re saddled with intense guilt. Unless you go through the proper channels, revenge can be dangerous and soul corrupting. In the end, you tend to beco the sa or worse than the person or people who wronged you."
"I don’t need your lectures, uncle Marcel." A chuckle escapes my lips. "Am I in an alternate universe or sothing? Are you seriously preaching forgiveness to right now, uncle Marcel?"
"If I had let my emotions lead and gone after that family, chances are that you wouldn’t have made it to your sixteenth birthday. I endured the pain of losing your parents and let you stay with your aunt because I hoped you’d move on and have a good life. That’s all your parents would want. They wouldn’t want you living like this, Demi. You’re still hurting. You’re bound to slip up and I fear what will happen when you do."
"Let worry about that." I dumped my napkin on the table and attempted to leave but he yelled my na so authoritatively, chills actually ran down my spine.
"SIT YOUR ASS DOWN, MISSY. I’M NOT DONE TALKING TO YOU."
His scary persona wasn’t lost after all, I thought as I slid back into my seat amidst awkward stares in our direction.
My eyes flash with fear briefly.
"Do you think you’re doing the right thing putting your life and that of your loved ones in jeopardy to avenge your parents? If they were here right now, do you think they would have said the sa things I am saying to you right now or cheered your revenge plan on? They’re already dead and gone, Demi. You’re no less than a daughter to and I can tell you for free that Camille would hate to see what you’ve beco. My brother too. Their sweet little girl who should be off studying, exploring the world, enjoying true love or starting her own family being obsessed with avenging their deaths to the point where she deceptively married into an evil family and keeps living in constant fear of being caught? That is every dead parent’s worst fear."
Tears stung my eyes. He took my hands and I let him.
"I am telling you right now to STOP. If you don’t love your husband or his family, leave him. Go start a new life. Give yourself a chance to heal properly. Please Demi, there’s still ti to redeem yourself."
I pulled my hands back and wiped my tears. "It’s too late now. I can’t take my foot off the gas anymore."
"Demi..."
"No, uncle Marcel. It’s too late. I have to see it through even if it ans I end up going down with them. Sobody has to stop them and so far, nobody has. Everyone looks the other way when they throw money at them. I just need a few more months and that family will be on their knees. I have it all planned out."
"I can’t let you do that."
"You have no choice here." I inform him. "You won’t actually go warn them, will you? You won’t go running to tell them my true identity either because if you do, we all die. How would you face my parents then?" I loop my handbag across my shoulder and lean down to kiss his forehead. "Thanks for stopping by, uncle Marcel. It was nice to see you again. Have a lovely journey back ho."
He watched get into my car and drive off.
"Are you okay?"
I blink at Ashley and wonder what he’s talking about.
"Demi, there are tears in your eyes."
I turn away when he tries to dry them.
"I’m fine. Sothing got into my eyes." I wipe them, feeling his worried gaze on .
We finally arrive the island. It’s more breathtaking than any I have ever seen but I refuse to revel in it. I haven’t co here for my honeymoon. I am here to see Nicola and possibly get so dirt on my in-laws.
Honestly, I am scared of everything my uncle said. I think along those lines sotis but I am afraid I can’t stop now. I will see everything through. I will teach the Rollins family about consequences because soone has to. I may lose myself in the process and never be able to look myself in the mirror without bursting into tears but I sincerely hope the thought that the world has been rid of one evil family would give solace.
Nicola slowly rises from the hammock where she lies reading a book and takes off her glasses to stare at us in surprise. Ashley goes over to ask how she’s doing while I take in the villa. It definitely screams opulence. The beachfront with natural plants, cool breeze and powdery soft white sands looks therapeutic.
"I didn’t know you were coming." Nicci said to Ashley while stealing a glance at .
"How are you doing? How’s the baby?" Ashley asks, staring at her flat belly.
I watch her face fall before she fakes a smile and nods. "Healthy."
We get through lunch without saying much to each other. This is the most awkward al I have ever had. On one side was my husband and on the other was his pregnant side chic. They both avoid my eyes for obvious reasons. Ashley rises, leaving most of his food and mumbles sothing about taking a walk. Alone, I turn to Nicola.
"What was that call about?" I whisper to her. "What did you an when you said you thought I would understand as soone who had lost a child before?"
Nicci’s eyes flash at . "So, that’s why you’re here."
"No. I am here because you wouldn’t pick my calls to clarify."
She rolls her eyes and stands to leave but I grab her arm. My eyes track round the dining room. The nearest guard is five feet away. I lower my voice.
"Look, my life got turned on its head when you announced your pregnancy so believe it or not, I am a person of interest in that baby’s life. I am entitled to inquire about its health. I am going to be the child’s mother after all." She tries to free herself but my grip holds. "If you don’t tell now, I won’t listen when you run into problems with my in-laws, Nicci. You have no idea how many adjustnts have been made in everyone’s lives just to welco this baby. Talk to !"
Her eyes go blurry as she yanks her arm free. She grabs my hand and sprints upstairs to her room. In there, she locks the door.
"What the hell is going on." I snap at her.
She silences with a finger on her lips and makes gestures suggesting that the room is bugged. I silently watch her whip out a paper and a pen, scribble on it before flashing it in my face. My blood curdles at the note.
[I’m deeply sorry. I’m actually not pregnant. I said it to trap Ashley and make him marry . I never thought things will escalate like this. Help out of this situation, please!]
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