Chapter 222: DECLARATION OF WAR
Cade stopped the car in front of the Atticus mansion, pulling Fay out of her thoughts.
She had gotten all the ammunition she needed from Grant. When the ti ca, Celine would hear from her.
He honked, and waited for one of the gate guys to open the gates.
"I don’t think they’re ready to let anyone in," he said after five minutes of waiting.
"Honk again," she replied.
He did as he was told, a second and a third ti.
The third ti, the pedestrian gate opened, and a man walked out.
He walked to the car, just as Cade wined down.
"The back window," Fay ordered.
He opened her windows, and directed the man behind.
The gate guy frowned, but followed his directions, anyway.
On seeing Fay, he instantly recognized her. How could he forget her? Four years ago, he had been at the gate when the car she was shoved in drove past.
The misery in her voice as she scread for soone to hear her out was sothing he could never forget.
Seeing how now, brought those mories back like a storm.
She looked way different than he rembered. Neither good, nor bad. Her looks were just elevated.
"Mrs Fay?" He called her as she was popularly referred to around the mansion.
"It’s just Fay, or miss Fay. But I’m happy you recognize . I’m here to see the matriarch," she said.
"She left for Spades this morning."
"Oh, And Gabrielle? Is she in?"
"Yes, ma’am."
"Alright, can I see her then?"
His facial expression grew restless, as he looked all around.
"Don’t worry, I’m not here to cause trouble," she said, realising why he was worried.
"Okay ma’am."
He ran back to the gate, and opened it. Cade imdiately started the car, and drove in.
"Do I wait or go in with you?" He asked after parking the car.
"Now why would you go in with , Cade!" She asked, preparing to alight.
"You know, because I’m your bodyguard? Also, given recent occurrences, I think it’s better to be safe than sorry."
"Like I said, Cade, I’m not looking to start a fight. I’m just going to have a civilised conversation, because there are things I need to know."
"Very well then, if you insist ma’am." He bowed slightly.
"I insist."
She ca down from the car, and made her way to the entrance.
She was halfway there when Sophia ran out of the house to welco her.
In a single breath, she jumped into her body, hugging her tightly.
"You ca, Fay. I can’t believe you’re here," she said in an excited voice.
Fay hugged her back. She was still as warm as ever before.
"Yes, I ca. But why aren’t you in school?" She asked as they separated.
"I couldn’t go. The press were stationed in front of my school to hound
for answers. Ace’s scandal ans the entire family can’t even go about their normal activities."
"So everyone’s ho?" She lifted a brow.
"Yeah, pretty much everyone," she replied.
"This is going to be fun," she muttered as they made their way to the house.
"Why did you co, Fay?" Sophie asked, holding on to her hands.
"I wanted to talk to the matriarch, and your mum. There are so things I need to clarify," she replied.
"When I saw you from the windows, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought it was a dream."
Fay’s heart skipped a beat, because her thoughts went to her daughter.
Sophie would love her so much. She was sure she’d love Sophie right back.
If only things weren’t so complicated. She wouldn’t have minded them eting up.
The doors opened up, and they were ushered into the living room..
Nara was on her way down the stairs, when she paused on seeing Fay.
"I’ve seen you on the news," she blurted. "Wait, I even saw you at the Glams event," she said.
Fay knew her of course. She had done her research on Celine, so she knew her children.
"Nara, right?" She asked.
"How do you know my na? I don’t believe I ca around when you were still married to Ace."
"Oh, your mother is my nesis. It’s natural I know her offspring," she said without mincing words.
The room grew quiet and awkward. Kira absolutely hated how people saw her through the lens of her mother.
She was nothing like her mother. She could never be anything like her.
"You’re one of the people mum has crossed then? I see," she said, continuing down the stairs.
"I hope you’re nothing like her. For your own sake," Fay retorted.
"Oh I couldn’t even if I tried. Celine Atticus is one of a kind."
"That I can agree with," Fay nodded.
She stretched out her hands, "Fay Luxe."
"Nara Duke Atticus. Mum couldn’t bear the thought of
not having her last na," she explained right after with a smile on her face.
Sophie laughed out loud, releasing the breath she was holding.
"I thought this was going to go way differently," she said.
Fay half smiled, just as Gabrielle entered the room.
"Fay?" She called, moving slowly to her.
"Don’t co any further, please. I’d have loved to talk to you and the matriarch together, but since she’s not here yet, I’d make do with you."
"Sure sure," she nodded. "Co with
to the balcony. I made muffins. You can eat so as we discuss."
"I’m not hungry, but thanks for the offer. Lead the way, I’ll follow," she replied brusquely.
"Don’t be hard on her, Fay," Sophie suddenly spoke up. "She mourned your absence more than anyone in this house."
Fay was about to take a step forward, when Sophie’s words made her briefly stop.
"It’s true. I’ve been here the past four years, and no one brings you up as much as she does. Go easy on her, please," Nara added.
"She’s not who you think she is," Fay replied, and resud walking.
Gabrielle swallowed hard, and turned around. She walked to the balcony, her thoughts clouded.
"Celine loves this place. She’d probably get mad if she sees us seated here," she said, taking a seat.
"Then it’s the perfect spot," Fay replied, sitting across from her.
"I couldn’t talk to you at the Glams opening. You’ve gotten even more beautiful, Fay," she said with a genuine twinkle in her eyes.
It only irritated Fay. It irritated her because even when she thought Gabrielle did sothing horrible, seeing her radiate such genuine energy was enough for her heart to soften towards her.
"You were my mother’s best friend, yet you watched justice evade the person who caused her death, and did absolutely nothing about it. Why?" She shot directly.
Gabrielle’s heart jumped. She hadn’t expected that question to be phrased in such a way.
Now she understood Fay’s anger at her even better.
"Fay—"
"None of that sentintal bullshit. I just want to hear the truth for once. Why didn’t you go to the police with everything you knew? At least push for so justice?"
"I did, okay?" Her voice choked, and her eyes watered. "You have no idea how much I pushed for justice. Even the matriarch was ready to give up her son at a point. But Celine found a way to manipulate things. The matriarch didn’t go through with it, and that bastard walked free. I hated her for a long ti after that."
"So what stopped? When did you co to like her again? When you saw your son was nad heir?" She threw in an accusatory tone.
"Fay?"
"Don’t Fay . I want the truth."
"But I can’t give you the truth when you already ca with a closed mind," she said, trying to reason with her.
"That bastard tried to assault . He killed my father, and tried to assault . Forgive
for not seeing a silver lining."
She observed Fay for a mont. It was clear she was deeply hurt. The forr Fay would cry, but this one couldn’t even bring herself to cry.
It just sucked not having an outlet for your pain.
"Fay, no amount of apology would erase the past. I don’t even expect you to forgive the role I played in how things turned. I just need you to know that I loved your mother with all my heart. And ever since I figured you were her child, I’ve done everything in my power to protect you. Everything!" She said, as a single tear rolled down her eyes.
Fay tossed her face to the side. She could see why it annoyed people when she cried, back then.
It was just a tool of manipulation. Nothing more than that.
"Celine Atticus," she whispered. "Everything points to her."
"I’ve done my best to keep her away from all of you. And by all of you, I an you, my kids, and even her kids. But she’s so strong, and I’m so weak, Fay. I’m tired of fighting, because I’ve been fighting for so long."
She broke into tears, and Fay’s heart was tugged a little.
More than anyone, she knew what it felt like fighting a losing battle.
But not anymore. She had a target now, and that was who she was ready to direct all her venom towards.
"Stop fighting her. It’s ti you find your peace. I’ll take care of her," she said in a cold, distant voice.
Gabrielle looked up, and spoke through tears. "Are you sure? I don’t want you to get hurt, Fay. Celine has only gotten stronger, especially now that she has finally beco the president of Spades."
"She has done all the hurting she can, it’s my turn now," she said, venom dripping through her words, and her face set in a hard determined line.
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